Corporate and Foundation Relations

The University of Alabama’s tradition of academic excellence is strengthened through the generous support of corporations and foundations.

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) exists to foster internal and external relationships for UA. We are dedicated to establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with corporations and foundations that result in philanthropic support for the mission and priorities of UA. This includes matching your interest to The University of Alabama’s research, programs, initiatives and talent.

Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) bridges the corporate and academic worlds, developing partnerships that align business objectives with The University of Alabama’s strategic initiatives. We help facilitate access to student scholarships, knowledgeable faculty and researchers, high-tech facilities, market-ready technologies, and opportunities for investment in transformational programs. Discover how a deeper relationship with UA supports your company in achieving its business objectives by emailing deidra.diaz@ua.edu.

We identify partnership opportunities and coordinate them by:

• Matching your business’ strategic goals (or imperatives) with University initiatives
• Identifying robust opportunities for maximizing impact
• Articulating the shared value proposition that collaboration with UA offers
• Facilitating worthwhile and effective interactions between campus leadership and your company representatives
• Maintaining communication about the impact of collaborative goals and the return on investment

Our partnerships are a pipeline for student success, an opportunity to advance faculty and program support, a key method to further your brand, a direct impact toward workforce development initiatives, and an initiative to cultivate a talent pipeline.

Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) fosters relationships that unite the intent of philanthropic foundations with the wealth of university expertise and solutions. We help connect collaborations to advance mutual goals that align with the University’s research, teaching and outreach mission. Email deidra.diaz@ua.edu to discover how working with The University of Alabama supports your foundation in facilitating its impactful initiatives.

CFR provides expertise, services and tools for supporting initiatives by:

• Connecting you with expert faculty
• Convening campus conversations around themes of interest
• Working with your staff to ensure your goals are met
• Organizing campus visits
• Engaging University leadership
• Developing proposals and gift agreements
• Facilitating foundation recognition

Supporting faculty by securing funding is a major priority of Corporate and Foundation Relations. We navigate the gift and grant process from identifying prospects, to developing strategic proposals, and stewarding gifts. We do not solicit or seek government funded projects, like those managed by the Office of Sponsored Programs. CFR provides help for a variety of diverse fundable projects, including single-investigator and interdisciplinary multi-investigators. Working with our faculty, including all Academic Deans and Associate Deans of Research, begins with a conversation. Email Deidra at deidra.diaz@ua.edu to schedule a meeting.

When to contact OSP vs. CFR?

Our Gifts vs. Grants document is available to faculty of The University of Alabama. Contact Deidra Diaz to request the guide.

CFR provides sources for aiding faculty and staff collaboration by:

• Researching potential corporate and foundation funding sources
• Assessing a project’s funding potential and make recommendations on engaging donors
• Maximizing relationships with companies and foundations to fund research and initiatives
• Assisting with development and reviewing letters of inquiry, proposals, and other application materials
• Supplying necessary supporting materials and obtaining institutional signatures
• Coordinating and providing staffing for campus and site visits for current and potential funders
• Circulating funding opportunities and RFPs to appropriate colleges, departments, and units
• Providing fundraising resources