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. Foundations may also choose to support endowments, such as those supporting professorships or scholarships, or even building/plant funds. Sign up for our quarterly newsletter to see examples of what foundations are currently funding at Rice.

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.

How much time does the entire grant-making process typically take?

The entire grant-seeking process can take several months or even years. Although a foundation or company 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 the difference between a 990 and a 990-PF, where can i find them, and how do I read them?

The 990 is the tax return for a public foundation (more commonly called a public charity) and 990-PF is the tax return U.S. private foundations file. This public document provides fiscal data for the organization, names of trustees and officers, application information, and a complete list of grants made during a particular year. More information about how to read these forms can be found here.

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

Yes, most schools have at least one designated development officer who serves as a liaison between the school and Rice's Development and Alumni Relations division. To get information on the school-based development officer who works in your particular school, please contact OCFR. Our office works closely with these development officers on matters that involve corporations and foundations.

How does OCFR differ from the office of sponsored projects (OSP) and from Research & Cost Accounting (RCA)?

All three offices support research at Rice University, though in different ways. OCFR works closely with OSP and RCA to receive and manage grants from foundations and corporations. 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 Banner, including all foundation grants that will be managed in R funds. RCA reviews expenditures throughout the grant period and monitors spending compliance with the award terms. RCA will 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.