Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to a range of questions you may have about foundation and corporate relations

With what kind of projects and programs can OCFR assist?

The OCFR team is always happy to learn more about the project, program or research for which you seek funding. We aim to offer a realistic assessment of its chances of being funded by a particular company or private foundation, based on a number of factors, to maximize your chances for success.

What is a foundation, and what do foundations fund?

Foundation Center defines a foundation as an entity that is established as a nonprofit corporation or a charitable trust under state law, with a principal purpose of making grants to unrelated organizations or institutions or to individuals for scientific, educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes. This broad definition encompasses two foundation types: private foundations and public foundations, the latter being a type of public charity. The most common distinguishing characteristic of a private foundation is that its funds come from one source, whether an individual, a family, or a corporation.

Foundations will fund a wide range of academic and research projects. Historically, foundations have supported endowments, such as those supporting professorships or scholarships, or even building/plant funds. Across the board, Rice has received wide-ranging support from private foundations across a range of initiatives, from basic science research and capital projects to student-centered initiatives and broadly impactful efforts.

What is a corporate foundation?

According to the Council on Foundations: "Corporate foundations are philanthropic organizations that are created and financially supported by a corporation. The foundation is created as a separate legal entity from the corporation, but with close ties to the corporation... Corporate foundations tend to make grants in fields related to their corporate activities or in communities where the corporation operates, or where their employees reside... Rather than establish a separate foundation, a company can also make gifts and grants directly to charitable organizations through a program within the company itself. This is called a corporate giving program."

If you are interested in reaching out to a corporate foundation, our team would love to hear from you.

What is a request for proposal (RFP)?

A request for proposal (RFP) is an invitation from a funder to submit applications on a specified topic with specified purposes. Unsolicited requests, however, are submitted on any topic of interest to the funder. If a foundation officer approaches a faculty or staff member and requests a proposal on a certain topic, these are solicited requests.

What is the general turnaround time for a foundation grant?

Foundation funding is not a quick-fix. The entire process can take several months or even years. Although a foundation may only require a few months to review a proposal and determine whether or not to fund it (the timeframe will vary by funder and may depend on when and how many times a foundation board meets each year), successfully positioning your project for support can often be a long-term process.

What is a 990 form?

A 990 is the tax return for a foundation that provides fiscal data for the organization, names of trustees and officers, application information, and a complete list of grants made during a particular year. Video: Learn more from GuideStar about the 990 form >>

Is there a development officer within my school that can also help with corporations and foundations?

Most schools have at least one development officer who serves as a liaison between the school and Rice's Development and Alumni Relations division. OCFR works closely with school-based development officers to ensure lines of communication around foundation and corporate giving opportunities.

How does OCFR differ from the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and Research & Cost Accounting (RCA)?

All three offices support research at Rice in different ways. OSP supports the submission of proposals to all external sponsors, including federal, state, and local agencies, foundations, and corporations. OCFR and OSP work closely together to submit proposals to and receive grants from companies and foundations, a process that involves properly routing proposals through Cayuse.

RCA creates funds for all sponsored project awards in iO, including all foundation grants that are sponsored awards. RCA reviews expenditures throughout the grant period and monitors spending compliance with the award terms. RCA will also send report reminders, prepare grant financial reports and close out awards.

What are the procedures for obtaining an NCE for my project?

Visit the OSP website for more on obtaining a no-cost extension.