Foundation engagement
The University of Minnesota Foundation is the designated organization to centrally manage the relationships between the University and philanthropic foundations

The Foundation Engagement staff helps foundations navigate the University, find faculty and programs of interest, and arrange for campus meetings, tours, and convenings. The team matches University strengths and priorities with private funders’ interests in the areas of research, academic programs, and outreach projects. 

The Foundation Engagement office also serves as a system-wide resource to assist faculty, grant administrators, and development staff in finding, submitting, and reporting on charitable grant funding.

The team has helped many private and family foundations support outstanding students and faculty, address grand challenges, and find innovative solutions by leveraging the University of Minnesota’s breadth and depth of expertise. 

If you are a foundation representative and would like more information about matching your priorities and interests with opportunities and resources at the University, please call the Foundation Engagement team at 800-775-2187 or email us.

Align

  • Align shared funding priorities
  • Consult and strategically match private funding
  • Identify unique strengths and areas of excellence and pursue transformative opportunities to help funders achieve their funding visions

Support

  • Facilitate development of programs and projects
  • Support high-potential proposals
  • Identify key collaborators and coordinate strategy for proposals
  • Support proposal development and management
  • Steward donor relationships

Collaborate

  • Facilitate meetings and on-campus visits between foundation and personnel
  • Assemble campus conversations around themes of interest and connect faculty
  • Convene interdisciplinary partners across the U of M
  • Access top thought leaders
  • Organize University support and leadership
FOUNDATIONENGAGEMENTMODEL

Align

  • Align shared funding priorities
  • Consult and strategically match private funding
  • Identify unique strengths and areas of excellence and pursue transformative opportunities to help funders achieve their funding visions

Support

  • Facilitate development of programs and projects
  • Support high-potential proposals
  • Identify key collaborators and coordinate strategy for proposals
  • Support proposal development and management
  • Steward donor relationships

Collaborate

  • Facilitate meetings and on-campus visits between foundation and personnel
  • Assemble campus conversations around themes of interest and connect faculty
  • Convene interdisciplinary partners across the U of M
  • Access top thought leaders
  • Organize University support and leadership

 

If you are a U of M faculty or staff member looking for private funding opportunities, help submitting a proposal using the University of Minnesota Foundation 501(c)3, or gift or grant determination, please visit the Charitable Grant Resource Hub.