Optimizing research fundings: Insights from the Development Office

We talked with Sophie de Geer Josefsson, Project Manager at Developement Office, to learn more about what they can support with, the processes, the most frequently asked question, and her top three tips for successful fundraising. 

When can researchers contact you at the Development office?

Researchers can always contact us at any time and ask for advice regarding fundraising and donations. 

To start, we will support you with a Case for Support Template to create a popular scientific summary we will use when meeting potential donors.  In addition, you can also contact us for support when it comes to stewardship for donors who are already supporting your research. With DO involved we can include the donor in our program for philanthropists and donors with “precision stewardship”. This means that we keep track of reporting times, make sure that we, together with you, look after them and invite them to our events etc.  

Can you give some examples of what you can help with?

To make sure we work in a coordinated way at KI, all donations need to pass the Development Office. So, if you receive a donation, we will help you with the “due diligence”, paperwork and all stewardship surrounding the donors. We can invite them to our events and take care of them, to keep them involved and ensure we develop a long-term engagement. We know from experience, that if we are good at stewardship, the donors will often come back and support KI again. It takes years to develop a long-term engagement in our research and we work with you to make sure we develop engaged donors who are committed to research at KI.  

If you are looking for funding and think your project is suitable for getting resources “outside normal calls” you can fill out our Case for support template and then we will add them to our portfolio of cases. You can always contact us for help at do@ki.se or me, Sophie de Geer, contact for KI Nord. Anna Urban, KI Syd and Helen Järrsten-Krut, KI Solna

What is the most common question you receive?

"Have you heard anything yet?"

If we have sent a case to a potential donor or a researcher has presented her/his case to a potential donor. Unfortunately, the donors want the case NOW but the decision to give away money takes time… We have to be very, very patient.

What is important for researchers to consider when profiling themselves to potential donors?

1. The donors are not researchers so use a popular scientific language (preferably Swedish). Talk, present and write in a way that anyone would understand, for example, your grandmother or grandchild.
2. Donors would like to know that their funding and project have the potential to make a difference for people's health. In general, they focus less on the method and scientific details. 
3. KI is a very strong brand so you can always emphasize why this research should be conducted at KI. Do not forget that KI is number 1 of Medical Universities in the EU. We are all proud ambassadors of our very strong brand.

Are there any criteria that usually determine whether someone donates to a project? 

The donors make the decision about what/whom to donate to. Development Office makes sure that they get projects to choose from. They need to understand the project, so popular science language is important.