The fund-raising expertise of staff members of the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) can help you identify, cultivate, and solicit grant-making organizations. Let us assist you in everything from writing and editing grant proposals to gathering supporting materials to obtaining University approvals and endorsements.

To discuss your funding needs contact us at cfr@princeton.edu or call 609.258.5965. You might find it helpful to take a look at our answers to some common questions:

1. What are the University's policies regarding funding from institutional sources?
2. How can CFR help?
3. Can you suggest funding strategies?
4. How should I make my initial contacts with foundations?
5. What’s the best way to prepare a proposal?
6. What should I consider in writing a proposal?

1. What are the University's policies regarding funding from institutional sources? 

Please familiarize yourself with the University's policies regarding funding from institutional sources by reading this memo from Provost Christopher Eisgruber.

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2. How can CFR help? 

We advise and assist academic departments, program leaders, and individual Princeton faculty and staff members in the following ways:

• identify funders with interests in areas that your project covers

• suggest how to approach the funder

• provide research tools and up-to-date background information

• open doors, arrange meetings with funders, and serve as an intermediary

• enlist University officers, trustees, alumni, and others with ties to specific foundations or corporations to help endorse your proposal and pave the way for a request

• secure the necessary approval from University administrators

• guide developing, writing, and editing proposals

• assist in gift acceptance, compliance, and stewardship

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3. Can you suggest funding strategies? 

Many foundations are less willing than they once were to consider ongoing support for established programs or long-term projects. They are also less eager, with some important exceptions, to fund endowments, buildings, or equipment.

Funders have shown considerable interest, however, in providing seed money for programs that could have far-reaching impact and for highly visible ventures that promise relatively quick results. 

Where foundations often ask, "what's the big idea," corporations generally want to know "what's in it for us?" Funding requests must address the corporation's bottom-line interests of research, recruiting, or public relations.

Foundations and corporations alike look for a clear indication that a proposal has the support of the grant-seeker's institution. They also want to know that University leaders consider it a high priority, that the institution will fulfill its grant obligations, and that it intends to make full and prompt reports to the foundation.

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4. How should I make my initial contacts with foundations? 

All funding-related contacts with foundations and corporations should be made through or with the knowledge of CFR or, in the case of federal research grants and sponsored research, Princeton's Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA).

The University has longstanding ties with a number of corporations and foundations—through alumni, faculty members, campus job recruitment, or other means. You will be able to make a better case for your proposal if you are aware of Princeton's relationship with the source you wish to approach.

Moreover, some foundations and corporations will not consider unsolicited applications even if they fall within the funder's range of interests, but CFR can sometimes open an otherwise closed door by arranging for a “pre-proposal” letter (see question 5).

Broadcasting a proposal to a number of funders is an often unsuccessful strategy that can also damage existing relationships and future prospects. The wisest approach is usually to let the University steer your proposal to a few of the most promising funding prospects. For one thing, a proposal made through University channels strongly conveys the message that the project has Princeton’s backing.

Furthermore, grants sometimes require an institutional commitment or call for a match of funds, and it is especially important that proposals for such grants be thoroughly vetted within the University before submission.

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5. What’s the best way to prepare a proposal? 

Before considering a full proposal, many funders like to see a brief “pre-proposal”—a two- to three-page letter signed by a senior development officer, a dean, the provost, or the University president. The pre-proposal summarizes the grant’s purpose, expected outcomes, and significance to the University. It is addressed to a foundation director, program officer, or senior corporate officer and asks for an opportunity to submit a full proposal. A pre-proposal may precede or follow a visit to the potential funder.

A few foundations and corporations require a full proposal as the first step. Some foundations and corporations make clear that they do not welcome unsolicited requests, and then the challenge is to find another way to get a foot in the door (see Building Relationships). In all cases, funders have submission deadlines and other requirements you need to follow as you prepare an application.

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6. What should I consider in writing a proposal? 

CFR can guide you through developing, writing, and editing the proposal; fine-tuning the budget; getting internal approvals; gathering supplemental materials requested by the funder; and writing the accompanying letter of endorsement from the University president or other official. The requirements of funders vary greatly, but several guidelines may be helpful:

Proposal Summary
The summary is often said to be one of two parts of most proposals that everyone reads (the other is the budget). It should be a carefully organized, succinct overview of who is making the funding request (and from which institution); the amount of the request; the area of interest under which the project falls; the purpose of the grant; the expected outcome if the grant is made; other sources (if any) for joint funding; and a clear indication that the proposal has University support.

Body of the Proposal
The main body of the proposal more fully develops the summary, and should include the following key points:

• What is the project?
  Your proposal should clearly state the problem or need you wish to address, explain why it is important, and fully describe your project plan and why you feel it will succeed.
  

• How will progress be evaluated?
  “Outcomes assessment” is a key phrase in the funding community. Your proposal must describe the project's impact and expected outcomes. It must also discuss how progress will be measured and how the final result will be evaluated. It should contain a proposed reporting schedule to the funder.

• Who will lead and carry out the project?
  It is important to describe the project's leaders and participants and their unique qualifications for the work being proposed.

• Why Princeton?
  An essential element of the proposal is to put the project in its institutional context—why is Princeton the best place to carry out this activity?
  

The main body of the proposal should also include a project timeline, a listing of other funding sources (emphasizing any institutional contribution), and an explanation of the resources needed.

Budgets and Supporting Documents
Some foundations require audited financial statements, projected institutional budgets, information about governance, tax-exempt status documentation, and other data. Other required attachments could include full vitae of project leaders and lists of their publications, copies of articles directly related to the proposal, building plans, information on equipment vendors, and a summary of recent grants to Princeton. CFR can help you to gather and organize these in an appendix to the proposal.

Tips for Writing
Approach the writing as you would a well-constructed argument. Make your case positively and anticipate the questions a good reviewer might ask. Avoid overstatements and unrealizable expectations. Address your proposal to a perceptive and well-informed lay person who is not intimately familiar with your field but who has a strong general background. Ask a colleague to act as a devil's advocate and take a hard, critical look at your first draft. As a next step, bring your proposal to a development officer in CFR and let us work with you to polish rough edges, strengthen key sections, and package the proposal.

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