Universities prosper when individuals, corporations, and foundations financially support the institutions' education, research and outreach missions. Today, companies value major research universities as important suppliers of talent, research, and ideas much as they value their suppliers of quality materials, components and services. Cutting edge research, high intellectual energy and well-educated students provide competitive advantage. Companies connect with Cornell University because they view it as a very important resource, and they invest in it to ensure that its future is secure.

Corporate Philanthropy: an Investment in Cornell's and your Company's Future

Increasingly, patterns of corporate giving reflect patterns of corporate interest. For many companies, corporate philanthropy is an integral part of their modern university relations strategy, serving to enhance their reputation on campus with students, faculty and administration. More and more, companies are aligning giving with business goals such as in their search for new technology through partnerships, alliances, and acquisitions. These companies often direct financial support to research teams in addition to providing traditional philanthropic assistance for financial aid and other institutional needs. Cornell's Office of Corporate Relations will work with your company to insure your giving supports your strategic business goals while assisting Cornell to meet its primary educational responsibility.

What Do Corporations Give?

Gifts from corporations take many forms, often depending on the company's interests and the University's needs. While some companies give cash, others make gifts of equipment and software to upgrade teaching and research laboratories and faculty offices. The Office of University Corporate Relations can assist in the grant process. Examples of gifts from corporations include:

• Scholarships and fellowships, financial aid that can be named for a company or company foundation.
• New curriculum development to help ensure students' education is current.
• New faculty development grants to help junior faculty get started on innovative research.
• Student organization programs ranging from the Society of Women Engineers to student chapters of professional organizations.
• Pre-IPO stock.
• Research support in the form of cash, equipment, or fellowship assistance in a field or discipline close to a company's interests.
• Software and equipment, ranging from computers to manufacturing laboratory numerical control devices.
• New building and laboratory construction or upgrading.
• Partnership gifts that assist with operating costs.
• Programmatic assistance that help upgrade K-12 education.
• Professorships and other endowments to ensure long-term viability.
• Unrestricted funds for deans and department chairs, which help them take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
• Corporate matching funds for employees, retirees, and directors.
• The development of executive education programs.
• Travel grants to help students continue their learning outside the classroom.
• The sponsorship of lectures that bring the experiences of practitioners into the classroom and lecture hall.
• Visiting executives who develop courses and lecture to classes.
• Student health education programs linked with student volunteerism through Cornell's Gannett Health Center.
• Gifts of intellectual property.

The Tax Advantages

Gifts are fully tax deductible in the year they are made. If appreciated securities or other property are given, the charitable tax deduction is based on the market value, not the cost basis. While the value is determined by the giver, Cornell will be pleased to acknowledge gifts through appropriate IRS forms.

Gift Stewardship

Cornell will track progress and provide annual reports on the application of corporate funds toward stated purposes. Where gifts are part of an endowment arrangement, a full report on the investment of funds will be made.

How to Make a Gift

Corporate gifts are most often provided in the form of cash, equipment, securities, or real estate. Funding is provided either direct from the company's giving program or through a company foundation. As a starting point, contact the most appropriate person by consulting this link.