Getting Started

1
Getting Started

• Go to VUs home page _at_ www.valpo.edu
• Go to L in the A Z index
• Click on Lumina Center
• Click on Grantseeking Workshop Series (second
  link in left column)
• In Current Workshop section, click on the text to
  the right of the light bulb

2

Valparaiso University

• The Lumina Center, the Office of Institutional
  Advancement, and the Christopher Center for
  Library and Information Resources
• present
• Seeking Support from Corporations and Foundations
• November 15, 2007

3
Introductions

• Kathy Groth, Foundations and Corporations
  Coordinator, Office of Institutional Advancement
• Doug Tougaw, Chair, Department of Electrical and
  Computer Engineering

4
Todays Agenda

• Corporate and foundation giving trends
• Types of support
• Private giving to higher education in Indiana

5
Todays Agenda

• Private giving to VU
• Developing your proposal
• Researching potential funders

6
Todays Agenda

• Proposal components
• Pre-submission administrative approval
• Administering your grant

7
Corporate and Foundation Giving Trends

• Focus on targeted gifts
• Benefits to the corporation
• Emphasis on K-12 education and social services
• Accountability and long-term impact

8
Types of Support

• Programs are the 1 priority
• Check websites, annual reports, and 990 tax forms
  to see what really gets funded

9
Private Giving toHigher Education

• Midwest vs. the east and west coasts
• 2006 giving to Indiana colleges and universities
• Less support for higher education

10
Private Giving to VU

• Geographic restrictions
• Competing with Chicago and Indianapolis
• Few local resources

11
Developing Your Proposal

• Talk to your department chair and dean!
• Ask how your project fits with university
  strategic plans
• Informing OIA and the Lumina Center for initial
  clearance http//www.valpo.edu/organization/lumin
  a/GPIP.html

12
ResearchingPotential Funders

• Online and print resources
• Stay informed e-notifications for grant
  opportunities
• Professional associations and other organizations
• Foundation Center online database
• http//www.valpo.edu/library/alpha/f.html

13
Foundation Center Resources

• http//www.fdncenter.org
• Background information
• Free online tutorials on proposal writing,
  budgets, and researching potential funders
• Free e-mail newsletters with grant notifications

14
Next Steps

• Final internal clearance to proceed
• Contact the program officer
• Letter of inquiry or full proposal
• Be clear and direct dont use technical jargon
• Read the guidelines and follow all directions
• Leave enough time for editing and administrative
  approval!

15
Proposal Components

• Letter of support from the president
• Problem statement
• University background information
• Budget form and supporting narrative
• Detailed project description
• Qualifications of project administrator
• Assessment and evaluation plans
• Supporting documents

16
Editing Assistance Budget Approval

• OIA and Lumina Center resources
• Internal peer review
• Consult colleagues at other institutions
• Finance Office approval of your budget

17
Signoff Procedures

• Grant Proposal and Approval Form
• http//www.valpo.edu/organization/lumina/gran
  tseeking.html
• Attach full proposal and budget
• Secure all signatures before submitting your
  proposal
• Check ahead of time for administrators
  availability on campus

18
Administering Your Grant

• Inform all interested parties when you receive an
  award (your department and dean, Finance Office,
  Lumina Center, OIA, University Relations)
• Meet with Michelle Scott in the Finance Office to
  set up your accounts
• Preparing mandatory program and financial reports
• Requesting budgetary account changes

19
Resources and Assistance

• Kathy Groth, OIA, x. 5144
• Sandy McMullen, Lumina Center, x. 6124
• Michelle Scott, Finance Office, x. 6862
• Lumina Center website
• CCLIR electronic and print resources