Live on Zoom

Funding Outside the Box: Philanthropic Funding Webinar

September 11th, 2026 | 12 PM ET

Learn what makes proposals stand out, how to approach philanthropic funders, and how to build stronger relationships with foundations.

As the research funding landscape continues to evolve, philanthropic foundations can offer researchers valuable opportunities to support meaningful work. But successfully pursuing foundation funding requires more than identifying an open call. Researchers also need to understand how foundations evaluate proposals, select partners, and make funding decisions.

Join leaders with experience inside major philanthropic foundations for an interactive conversation about what funders look for and how researchers can approach foundation funding more strategically.

Gain an Inside Look at Foundation Funding

What makes one proposal stand out from another? How should researchers begin building relationships with foundations? And what common mistakes can weaken an otherwise promising opportunity?

Drawing on their experience reviewing proposals and working directly with researchers, our panelists will share practical insights into how philanthropic foundations think about funding, partnerships, and long-term impact.

This conversation will help you better understand the funder’s perspective so you can identify stronger opportunities, communicate your work more effectively, and approach foundations with greater clarity and confidence.

What You’ll Learn

During this interactive conversation, you will learn:

• How philanthropic foundations evaluate funding opportunities
• What makes proposals and research partnerships stand out
• Best practices for approaching foundations
• Common mistakes researchers should avoid
• How to align your work with a foundation’s priorities
• Strategies for building meaningful relationships with funders
• Ways to position your research for future philanthropic opportunities

Who Should Attend
This session is designed for:

• Faculty researchers
• Principal investigators
• Research development professionals
• Academic leaders
• Scholars exploring non-federal funding
• Researchers interested in building relationships with philanthropic organizations

Whether you are new to foundation funding or looking to strengthen your current approach, this conversation will provide practical guidance you can apply to your funding strategy.

Move Beyond the Proposal

Successful foundation funding is not only about submitting a strong application. It is also about understanding the funder’s goals, communicating the value of your work, and developing relationships that can grow over time.

You will leave this session with a clearer understanding of how foundations make decisions and how to approach potential funders more strategically.

Reserve Your Spot

Registration is free, but advance registration is required.

Facilitator:

Jolie A. Sheffer, PhD (she/her) is an associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and a professor of English and American Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She's written two monographs on American literature and is currently writing her third, a cultural history of Japanese American activism since Japanese American incarceration. She is also a mom to a high-energy fifth-grader, a spouse in a dual-academic household, and a treat-giver to two cats.

Panelists:

Constance M. Yowell, PhD, is a nationally recognized leader in education innovation, with a career spanning research, philanthropy, technology, and higher education. She currently serves as a Researcher of Practice and Executive Director of the Center on the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy at Northeastern University. She previously served as Northeastern’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Education Innovation, leading a university-wide transformation of experiential learning, global programs, and career pathways. Before joining Northeastern, Dr. Yowell was Executive Vice President at Southern New Hampshire University, where she helped pioneer a stackable, personalized learning system to increase access for first-generation and low-income learners. She was the founder and CEO of LRNG, a national nonprofit and digital platform that connected youth to learning and workforce opportunities through local ecosystems. Earlier in her career, she directed the $250 million Digital Media and Learning initiative at the MacArthur Foundation, catalyzing a new field of connected learning and launching influential efforts such as the Open Badge movement, game-based learning, and 21st-century library and museum transformations. Dr. Yowell began her career as a professor of education policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago and as a policy analyst in the U.S. Department of Education. Her scholarship and leadership have focused on the intersection of youth development, equity, and institutional design—especially for Black, Latinx, and underserved learners. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Stanford University and a B.A. in Psychology from Yale University.

Carina Wong is a strategic designer and visionary leader with decades of experience in philanthropy, policy, and social impact. Her career is highlighted by fourteen years of senior leadership at the Gates Foundation, where she managed multi-million dollar public-private partnerships and developed large-scale investment strategies. Carina is a partner and co-founder of Craft Futures, a consultancy that focuses on creative strategy and venture acceleration. She also currently serves as a Managing Director for Early Childhood at the Valhalla Foundation in Woodside, CA.