The SRA Symposium - College of Medicine

Papers
There are key databases available to assist institutions in narrowing their searches and in identifying
key foundations that are high-likelihood targets from which to request support for HSIs. The
world of foundations is huge and competitive. Some foundations like the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
and the Ford Foundation have millions to give, while others like the United Latino Fund may only
have thousands available. One of the most important first steps is for HSI presidents and development
staffs to identify several key foundations, visit with them, get to know their key decision
makers, invite them to the campuses, tell them about the need, and have them meet students and
faculty. It is important for the HSI to tell its story, and show the foundation why investing in the
institution is a good idea. Show the potential funding source some accomplishments and demonstrate
how the funds will take successful projects to the next level.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Simple Model for External Resources Acquisition and Management
Student tuition and fees are primary sources of institutional funding; whether provided privately,
federally, through scholarships, or other means. Presently, most public higher education institutions
are supported only in part by State allocated funds. Many of the MSI do not have large
amounts of gifts and donations as compared to institutions such as Harvard and MIT or even the
more well-off MSIs such as Howard and Xavier. Considering the multitude of resources available
from the federal government, foundations, states, corporate organizations, and local organizations,
and even considering the large amounts of resources available only to HBCUs and MSIs,
many MSIs do not have the infrastructure, monies, technology, or other resources to acquire such
resources. Normally, and irregardless of the greatest need, larger amounts of legislative funds are
designated for the larger flagship schools as compared to small or moderate size MSIs. Very few
MSIs have participated in the sale or licensing of intellectual property and even fewer have reaped
the benefits of these commonly large amounts of resources. Similarly, many MSIs do not participate
in the contract versus grants processes available from numerous funding organizations. With
these concerns in mind, MSI presidents find themselves in an even greater position to identify,
acquire, manage and perform, and close out external resources appropriately.
The simple model for incoming external resources and the required management and performance
suggests that institutional components should be in place for resource needs assessments,
resource identification, resource acquisition, resource management and performance, and resource
close-out. The need for MSI institutional protection components regarding the external
resources that are acquired is of great importance.
52 2005 Symposium Proceedings Book