Corporate and Foundation Relations

Let us be your guide

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the University of Michigan-Dearborn is the central point of contact for private foundations and corporate partners interested in supporting university programs and research. We maintain and establish strategic relationships with foundations and corporations. Our team identifies opportunities to advance the university's and the organization's missions.

Corporate Relations

The Corporate Relations team works closely with businesses to understand their goals and identify campus opportunities and investments. We can explore investment options ranging from student scholarships and fellowships to faculty research grants, program support, and more. We will assist you in creating a customized philanthropic program that aligns directly with your business objectives and boosts your company’s visibility at all U-M schools, colleges, and campuses.

We can also help connect businesses to other University of Michigan-Dearborn resources for:

  • Recruiting
  • Sponsored Research
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Professional Development
  • Student Projects
  • Student Groups
  • Licensing Innovations
  • Supplier Partnerships

 For more information, contact Dayna Deaner, director of Corporate Relations, at [email protected].

 

Dayna Deaner Bio

Dayna is the director of corporate relations for UM-Dearborn. She partners with businesses on philanthropic investments to enhance the student education experience, elevate innovation with world-class faculty, and increase partner visibility on campus. As a social impact leader with over a decade of experience in relationship management, asset acquisition, network expansion, community development, branding, and philanthropic partnerships, Dayna is extremely passionate about developing relations between industry, NGOs, and higher education. As a Michigan native who left a career in Washington, D.C., to follow her passion to support Michigan’s economy, nonprofits, and higher education, she is determined to catalyze growth in her community. Before joining the university, she was the Director of Corporate Relations at Oakland University. Dayna holds a Master of Public Administration and a B.A. in Philosophy from Oakland University. 

Foundation Relations

Foundation Relations connects professional foundation partners with the university’s work to advance programming, outreach, and research. Foundation relations works with faculty to develop competitive proposals for funders, including providing support and guidance with:

  • Proposal development, review, and editing
  • Foundation research, prospecting, and relationship building
  • Coordinating with research administrators, UM-Dearborn’s Office of Research and research development, and the Ann Arbor campus

For more information, please contact Blythe Murphy, director of Foundation Relations, at [email protected]. Faculty looking for more information about specific funding opportunities and grant writing FAQs should visit foundations.umich.edu.

 

Blythe MurphyBlythe Murphy Bio

Blythe Murphy is the director of Foundation Relations for UM-Dearborn. She works to connect faculty and programs in all four colleges and centers of the campus with private foundation funding opportunities. Before joining the university, she was a senior research specialist at the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Learning Sciences Research Institute. Blythe holds a Master of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and a BA in History from Miami University.

Corporate and Foundation Relations

1040 - Administration Building
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
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Phone: 313-583-6729
Fax: 313-593-0540