About Corporate and Foundation Engagement

About Us

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Engagement serves as the single visible point of entry for corporations, private foundations and industry professionals seeking access to engage and partner with North Carolina Central University. Our team collaborates with corporations and foundations to advance NCCU’s mission of teaching, research and service as well as to support campus-wide opportunities for investment such as need-based scholarships, endowed professorships, academic and athletic programming, and campus transformation. This expertise enables our team to assist external partners in navigating the university, helping NCCU and Eagle students soar, and advancing mutual goals that align with institutional priorities and corporate social responsibility.

What We Do

Connect corporate and foundation partners with NCCU leadership, faculty, staff and students to advance mutual ideas, support institutional priorities and collectively transform communities in which we work and live
Create networking and engagement opportunities to enable, expand and enrich robust industry relationships across the NCCU campus
Partner with corporations that support the recruitment of a talented and diverse talent pipeline and more employment and internship opportunities for NCCU students and alumni
Coordinate and host corporate and foundation campus visits
Foster a culture of transformational philanthropy that requires collaborative corporate and foundation engagement and innovation across all academic, student affairs and athletic programs
Facilitate research collaborations between industry, faculty and students
Collaborate with faculty, staff and advancement colleagues to provide a central point of contact for philanthropic requests and prepare grant proposals for submission to corporations and foundations

For Corporations

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Engagement (CFE) matches and connects a corporation’s needs, goals, ideas and impact with North Carolina Central University. NCCU is a top-ranked Historically Black College or University and the nation’s first state-supported liberal arts colleges for Black students that is committed to our mission of preparing NCCU students for success in the global marketplace by building long-term relationships with partners in business and industry. Our goal is to secure strategic corporate alliances and establish impactful outcomes that are mutually beneficial to your company and NCCU.

As an integral part of Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina Central University remains committed to creating the most meaningful and innovative engagement opportunities with corporations, private foundations and organizations across North Carolina and the world. Engagement with NCCU drives brand awareness, supports the recruitment of a talented and diverse workforce, and creates opportunities for the next generation of innovators to thrive. Innovative engagement opportunities include campus visits, certificate programs, mentorship of students, participation on Advisory Boards, speaking events and more.

North Carolina Central University offers customized opportunities for ongoing executive, professional and continuing education. The Division of Extended Studies provides flexible and non-traditional study options to the NCCU community through distance education and e-learning as well as its 100% online certificate programs offered through the Office of Continuing Education. The School of Business partners with leading corporations to co-create and deliver customized learning experiences in marketing, data analytics, hospitality and tourism, real estate and wealth management.

To build a talented and diverse talent pipeline, North Carolina Central University partners with employers to recruit and hire its undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented communities. Each year, national and regional corporations engage NCCU’s Career and Professional Development Center to successfully recruit top undergraduate and graduate students and alumni for full-time positions, internships and summer employment opportunities. The Center’s team facilitates assistance with HBCU recruitment strategies and best practices, employer connection events, campus career fairs and on-campus interviews with Eagle students and alumni.

Over 70% of NCCU students qualify for need-based and other forms of financial aid. NCCU offers corporations the opportunity to support the education of its top undergraduate and graduate students from underserved communities by establishing annual and endowed scholarship funds. Scholarship support allows students to focus on their education, graduate with lower or no debt, and reach their highest potential. Endowed professorships are another top priority to help NCCU recruit and retain outstanding faculty and invest in academic excellence.

North Carolina Central University provides transformational opportunities for corporate partners to strategically engage in sponsorships that can drive brand awareness and visibility with the greater campus community and provide philanthropic resources for the university. NCCU’s Homecoming is the ultimate HBCU homecoming experience. Thousands of alumni, students, community members and Eagle fans gather from around the county and return to campus for this week-long campus celebration each fall. CFE invites prospective corporate sponsors to reach out to [email protected] and consider a custom Homecoming sponsorship. Join some of the nation’s most respected brands by becoming a sponsor of the 2023 Ultimate Homecoming Experience and the 2022 HBCU National Champion Eagles. Interested in becoming an NCCU Homecoming sponsor? Download the 2023 NCCU Homecoming Sponsorship Guide.

Naming rights help individuals, corporations and foundations leave a lasting legacy, drive brand awareness and provide transformative philanthropic resources for NCCU. CFE offers naming rights and recognition for corporate donors who have made significant gifts supporting the university’s mission. Examples include your company’s name on classrooms, buildings, academic programs and athletic spaces.

For Foundations

North Carolina Central University collaborates with foundations to implement mutual goals, funding interests and impact. The Office of Corporate and Foundation Engagement (CFE) builds and sustains strong and lasting relationships between private foundations and NCCU to support and advance institutional priorities and complementary goals. We inform philanthropic organizations about research, teaching, programming and outreach activities at NCCU. We aim to match a foundation’s mission and funding focus areas to top NCCU programs and initiatives. Our goal is to find alignment between your foundation's mission and philanthropic interests with the University's programs and research. Our goal is to help foundations identify faculty conducting research in line with your organization’s interests. We are eager to speak with you about partnering with NCCU on projects, research initiatives and campus programs.

For Faculty and Staff

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Engagement (CFE) looks forward to partnering and supporting NCCU faculty and staff with non-governmental, grant-seeking opportunities. CFE provides comprehensive resources and grant support to faculty and staff across the NCCU campus. Meaningful partnerships and philanthropy come from strategic engagement between NCCU faculty and staff, corporations and private foundations.

What We Do

Assist faculty and leadership in formulating strategic approaches to funders
Coordinate and host campus visits and meetings for corporate and foundation representatives
Convene groups of faculty and staff from across NCCU for grant writing training and discussions related to funding opportunities, best practices and institutional prospects
Develop proposals requesting charitable support from corporate and foundation partners
Steward funders with grant reports