Corporate & Foundation Relations

Build your case

Your case states how your work holds the potential to advance understanding or solve a problem. It is the basis for letters of inquiry and proposals. And it can help you communicate with foundation program officers.

As you build your case, address the following:

Focus

  • What is the problem or question you will address?
  • Why is the problem or question important?
  • What is the scale of the problem?

Context

  • Describe your field and what distinguishes your work.
  • How will you add value or complement the work of others?

Plan

  • How will you address the problem or question?
  • State your goals or aims, methods and the reasoning behind your plan.
  • Explain how you will address challenges, risks and obstacles.
  • (Anticipate how you will handle unexpected outcomes.)

Resources

  • What expertise and tools will you bring to the work?
  • How will the University support your work?
  • What funding do you require to complete the work and what is your funding plan?

Impact

  • What will success look like?
  • What difference will your work make?

Evaluation

  • How will you measure the results of your work?