Known as Institutionally Related Foundations (IRFs), affiliated university foundations currently are formed and charged in various organizational and governance structures ranging from those focused only on endowment and resource investment to an evolving high-level integration with their university partners. Under all models, IRFs strive to secure predictable resources. As state legislatures decrease or hold the line on funding, public universities are more dependent on private philanthropic support and new revenue streams to accomplish institutional strategic priorities. This means that IRFs will continue to assume greater importance, and their aligned partnerships with university executives, development and alumni offices (if separate) and institutional academic and administrative leadership are crucial. Greater levels of integration, solid connectivity, streamlined systems and processes and new thinking across multiple functions are signs of such changing advancement partnerships. Read more >
