How We Support Faculty

At JMU, Corporate & Foundation Relations supports faculty, staff, and university leadership by securing private support for research, scholarship, creative activities, and sustainable university projects and programs. Here's how we can assist you:

  • Strategic Connections: We connect university academics and leaders with a diverse array of philanthropic organizations, ranging from local businesses to national foundations.
  • Funding Expertise: Navigating JMU's funding landscape can be complex. Our team is well-versed in the university's internal gift and grant processes, policies, and procedures.
  • Identifying Opportunities: We specialize in identifying private funding opportunities tailored to your specific project needs, maximizing your chances of securing grants.
  • Tailoring Proposals: Understanding how your project aligns with a private foundation's purpose and funding priorities is key. We assess this alignment and help you tailor proposals accordingly.
  • Proposal Development: Our team is here to assist you in crafting a compelling proposal and writing and editing documents that effectively communicate the scope and significance of your work.
  • Requesting Endorsements: Leveraging our network, we can request university leaders, alumni, and others with ties to specific foundations or corporations to endorse your proposal and enhance its credibility.
  • Application Submission: We can take the lead on gathering necessary approvals from university administrators and submitting applications to funders on behalf of the university.
  • Gift Management: After securing funding, we provide assistance in gift acceptance and stewardship. We also work closely with relevant university departments, including the Office of Sponsored Programs, University Business Office, and JMU Foundation, to ensure compliance with legal and institutional policies.
Quick Links

Explore the possibilities of partnering with us by downloading our comprehensive guide, "Grant Funding: Working with CFR" (PDF).


Need assistance with the proposal development process? We're here to help!


Review limited submission opportunities (LSOs), exclusive funding for which JMU can nominate only a select number of competitive proposals. View Current LSOs.

Seeking Funding Opportunities

Our team can help you identify funders aligned with your research, scholarship, creative activities, programs, or projects. Explore these resources for researching potential funders:

  • GrantForward: Accessible without an account or fee, GrantForward minimizes the hassle of finding funding opportunities with its adaptable search filters and specialized features.
  • SPIN (InfoEd Global): Provided by our partners in Research Development and tailored for JMU faculty, staff, and students, SPIN offers a comprehensive repository of current funding opportunities. 
  • FDO QuickStart: Locate foundations by name, EIN, location, assets, or giving range. Dive into IRS Forms 990 and 990-PF to discover funders matching your criteria or explore by keyword.
  • Philanthropy News Digest: Set up a free account to search for current proposals in your field of interest and receive topic-specific alerts and Requests for Proposals (RFP).
  • Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP): While OSP manages governmental funding applications, we collaborate closely with their team on private grant opportunities. Stay informed through their newsletters, tailored funding searches, and various federal funding options.
Stewardship & Reporting Impact

Our team is here to help you fulfill your commitments and build strong and lasting partnerships with your funders. Here's how we can assist you with stewardship:

  • Reporting Assistance: We'll guide you through the process of preparing reports in accordance with the funder's requirements. For funding that requires compulsory narrative and financial reporting, consult with the Office of Sponsored Programs for JMU forms, protocol, and processes.
  • Progress Updates: Keep your funders informed about project advancements, key milestones, and outcomes. We'll help you tailor the frequency of updates based on your project's timeline and your relationship with funders.
  • Adapting to Changes: Should there be any adjustments in your project's scope or direction, we're here to help navigate these shifts and communicate them with your funder for transparency.
  • Additional Engagement: When appropriate, we can help facilitate additional engagement with funders by extending invitations to relevant events or sharing updates on your work. We'll offer guidance on the level of contact deemed suitable based on the individual funder's preference.

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