April 22, 2025

The Office of Foundation Relations (OFR) helps connect Illinois researchers with private foundations to support research, programmatic work, scholarships, and more. We spoke with Barlow LeVold, Director of Foundation Relations, about his role and how faculty can partner with OFR. 

Tell us about your role and what Foundation Relations does. 
Foundation Relations consults with anyone on campus interested in building relationships with private foundations. That typically means supporting faculty in developing and submitting grant proposals, though we also help with relationship management, data gathering, editing, and strategy across the entire lifecycle of a foundation partnership. I’ve been in this role since 2013. Before that, I was a faculty member and communications staffer in the College of Business. That experience helps me understand the needs of researchers and communicate effectively with funders. This work sits at the intersection of academics, fundraising, and societal impact. At times, it’s the most fulfilling job I’ve held in my 32+ years at Illinois. 

How does foundation funding differ from federal funding?  
Private foundation funding differs from federal funding in several ways. Decisions are often made by a small group of laypersons rather than peer reviewers, the funding can carry more prestige but may also come with tighter constraints, and strong relationships are crucial, as foundation support tends to be more ongoing and based on trust. Unlike the structured process of many federal calls for proposals, foundation funding is often about building long-term relationships and alignment over time. 

What advice do you have for faculty pursuing foundation funding? 
Most researchers can benefit from working with our office early. While you can go it alone, foundations rarely provide detailed feedback, and we can help you understand what’s likely to succeed. We also help you move more quickly, because I know time is a luxury most faculty don’t have. 

How can researchers connect with you or your team? 
Please email me or my colleagues (listed below). We can start with a simple exploratory meeting. Sometimes a search begins with a Google query, and sometimes it’s the result of years of relationship-building. We support a variety of stages and approaches. 

When should researchers reach out? 
It’s best to reach out early, while you’re still shaping your idea or exploring funding strategies. That gives us time to identify potential matches and step back until you’re ready to act. But if you’re further along or up against a deadline, we’ll still do our best to assist. 

What should faculty prepare before a meeting? 
Faculty do not need to prepare anything formal. It’s helpful for us to learn about what they hope to fund, who they’re thinking of approaching, any past foundation experience, their research goals, and how they’ve written about their projects in the past. Once we have that, we can identify what else is needed (if necessary) and work together to create a plan aligned with their research goals and funding needs. 

What trends do you see ahead in foundation relations? 
Private foundations are navigating complex political and social pressures. This makes relationship-building even more critical. Despite challenges, we see opportunity, and we’re helping Illinois researchers tap into it. I expect to see even more grants coming to campus as our office continues to build these trusted, strategic connections. 

Contact:  
 
Barlow LeVold, Ph.D. 
Director of Foundation Relations 
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement 
jbl@illinois.edu | (217) 244-8146 

Tiffany Leung 
Associate Director of Foundation Relations 
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement 
tleung22@illinois.edu | (217) 300-4903 

Liz Birlet 
Senior Director of Foundation Relations 
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement 
e-birle@illinois.edu | (217) 244-3606