Foundation Relations leader Sarah Fodor to retire
Long service to Northwestern bolstered funding to support institutional priorities, including research
Northwestern University announces the retirement of Sarah Fodor, the senior executive director of the University's Foundation Relations Office, effective June 28. Over her distinguished tenure, Fodor has been instrumental in securing foundational funding vital to Northwestern, including supporting its research ecosystem.
Under Fodor's guidance, the Office of Foundation Relations (OFR) raised an average of $56.6 million in new commitments from independent private foundations annually from FY19 to FY23. Her efforts were pivotal during the University’s WeWill Campaign, where foundation commitments exceeded $500 million. This year, OFR is on track for a record-breaking performance, with $114 million in new commitments as of May 31.
Fodor’s strategic acumen was particularly evident in managing top foundation relationships. Her leadership led to securing $18.5 million from the Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust since 2006, strengthening the Searle Leadership Fund in the Life Sciences and supporting the recruitment of over 130 early career life scientists across multiple Northwestern schools. Her efforts with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation resulted in $15 million in campaign giving for Medill, Kellogg, and McCormick, and she has been instrumental in partnering with Medill on several recent multimillion-dollar grants.
One of Fodor's notable achievements was her work with the Sherman Fairchild Foundation. Since 2005, her collaboration has raised a substantial $31.5 million, a testament to her ability to help secure significant funding for Northwestern.
Vice President for Research Eric Perreault praised Fodor, stating, "Sarah's vision and dedication have been central to the success of Northwestern's research initiatives. Her ability to help faculty secure foundation funding has been instrumental to our institutional success and has left an indelible mark on our community. We are grateful for her years of service and wish her the best as she begins her retirement."
Fodor joined Northwestern in 1998 as associate director of Foundation Relations. Since then, she has held increasingly senior leadership roles in that office, including her current position from 2022. After earning a master’s degree in English education from the University of Chicago, Fodor secured a doctorate in English language and literature from the same institution. Her college education also included a focus on music and French literature.
This course of study might seem atypical for a career in fundraising. Still, Fodor says her degrees prepared her for success in grant writing for foundations and nonprofits, where clear communication is essential.
“It’s been a great honor and joy to work with three exemplary presidents, four superb provosts, several excellent vice presidents of development and of research, numerous great deans, brilliant faculty, and innumerable dedicated and hard-working staff over the past two-and-a-half decades at Northwestern,” said Fodor. “I have hoped to contribute to Northwestern’s reputation for excellence, creativity, and problem-solving and to help make faculty grant-seeking more successful and less painful.”
Fodor's legacy at Northwestern is marked by her commitment to excellence and her transformative impact on the University's academic landscape. Now, she looks forward to her next chapter: an extended vacation with more opportunities for reading, music, exercise, and, especially, time with her grandchildren.
Northwestern will conduct a national search for its next executive director of foundation relations this summer. In the meantime, Catherine Cotter continues to lead the team as director. She and the other officers are well prepared to continue their excellent work advising leaders and faculty seeking foundation grants.
–Matt Golosinski, research communications director