The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Winston-Salem State University cultivates and manages mutually beneficial relationships between corporations and foundations and the university.
Our collaborative team focuses on partnership-building and philanthropic efforts that support the institution’s strategic priorities.
Corporations
Interested in building a robust partnership with WSSU or recruiting our extraordinary students for jobs and internships?
We can help match your company’s business interests to the university’s initiatives, programs, and talent by facilitating conversations with the Office of Career Development Services and other WSSU faculty and staff.
Foundations
Our team identifies the best match that aligns your foundation’s mission, funding priorities, and interests with WSSU programs, projects, and strategic priorities. We serve as the liaison between representatives of your foundation and WSSU leadership and faculty.
Your investments can have a major impact in the areas of:
- Colleges, departments, schools
- Capital projects
- Scholarships
- Faculty support: Distinguished Professorships, Faculty/Staff Development Fund
Did you know?
- 650 students completed internships in 2016
- 340 students participated in 13,900 hours of service learning, amounting to a $308,000 economic impact
- 60 percent of employers say they prefer work experience gained through an internship or co-op
Giving Impact Areas
Winston-Salem State University is proud that across its campus people who’ve had direct, substantial and active influence on the development of the University are honored and remembered in bricks and mortar.
There are several ways to celebrate the legacy of such distinguished alumni including: the naming of physical spaces on campus, academic programs, faculty chairs, scholarships or fellowships. Significant endowed gifts like these ensure the continued advancement of our academic programs.
We intend to continue naming physical facilities in recognition of individuals or organizations that have attained achievements of extraordinary and lasting distinction.
The university has a strategic master plan, designed to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and resources of our campus. It’s our guide to transforming and continuously enhancing our campus facilities and grounds. There are an array of naming opportunities, including:
- Classrooms
- Lecture Halls
- Student Laboratories
- Faculty Research Facilities
- Conference and Meeting Rooms
- Student Study and Lounge Areas
- Dedicated Libraries
The naming of facilities is carefully considered by the WSSU Board of Trustees and is subject to policies established by the University Of North Carolina Board Of Governors.
Scholarships [link to scholarship-brochure.pdf] enhance our ability to recruit creative and critical thinking scholars who are ready to “enter to learn.” This investment aids in alleviating debt for our students by decreasing their out-of-pocket expenses.
Establishing a scholarship can also be a meaningful way of honoring your family and friends. There are two types to select from:
- Endowed scholarships are permanent funds that provide benefits to students year after year. They can be established with a minimum donation of $25,000.
- Non-Endowed scholarships can be established with a single, outright gift to WSSU. Although they are not permanent, donors often renew their financial support annually.
Here’s more information on scholarship options, investments and how to establish the ones that’s best for you.
Investing in our faculty brings new and innovative techniques to the classroom, which retains our students and improves graduation rates.
As WSSU increases its expectation for research, faculty’s effort to balance teaching with high expectations of scholarship can be supported through:
Endowed Distinguished Professorships
Contributions to already established or new professorships provide Winston-Salem State University with the ability to attract and retain top-performing teacher-scholars. They support accomplished talent with the tools to build top-ranking programs; obtain critical research and teaching grants; and meet classroom development needs, to name a few. The University of North Carolina System may match funds to multiply the impact of your gift.
Faculty and Staff Development Funds
Development funds help WSSU retain and reward faculty and staff members who teach, guide, and support students. These discretionary funds may be earmarked for recognition of faculty achievement; professional travel; continuing education opportunities; research; and sabbaticals.
