Position helps researchers attract corporate, foundation funding

February 28, 2014 | News, Research, UToday, Advancement
By Jon Strunk



After having the post vacant for several months, the University has filled a position that plays a critical role in attracting corporate and foundation support and funding for research and other University initiatives.

Loney

Loney

Brett Loney, UT’s new director of corporate and foundation relations, joins the University from St. John’s Jesuit, where he led its advancement office. Prior to that, he held a similar role to his UT position at Wright State University.

“The role is a little bit like an air traffic controller,” Loney said. “As faculty look to foundations and corporations for funding, I can use my connections and those of my colleagues to coordinate University requests. Instead of a dozen ‘cold-call’ proposals, we can make one request that demonstrates the institution is pulling in the same direction.”

Loney said his office also can help in the receipt of funding once a request is granted.

“Most corporations want to give this funding to a nonprofit — in this case, the UT Foundation. It’s my goal to make the logistics of the funding process as seamless as possible for faculty and researchers,” he said.

Vern Snyder, vice president for institutional advancement, said it is important for the campus to know the position was filled.

“Brett has more than 15 years of successful nonprofit development experience, and we want to make sure researchers out there know he can help increase the chances of successfully funding a research project,” Snyder said.

Loney has spent his first several weeks at UT getting out and meeting deans, faculty and researchers, and he emphasized the continued close relationship his position has with Dr. William Messer, vice president for research, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

While many of the state and federal governmental agencies that provide external funding are focused on science, medicine and health care, Loney pointed out that philanthropic support from foundations and corporations covers a much broader array of disciplines.

“By working closely with the research office and coordinating our requests to foundations and corporations, we have a real opportunity to expand funding opportunities,” he said.

“This is more than just a job to me,” Loney said. “Toledo is my hometown. I believe in what this University is doing, and I’m excited to work with such talented people to build up my community.”

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