Finding out about foundation interests has never been easier, courtesy of the Internet. A letter of inquiry, a phone conversation, perhaps a visit can save a lot of time because the staff is very knowledgeable about what is, and is not, likely to be funded. It often takes time to find the right fit and you are always helped if you can arrange for a staff visit to your campus. Too often invitations, focused on the President of the foundation, would be better extended to the relevant staff. This is not to say that a University President with a big idea should not come by and talk.
Most foundations can respond to a fresh idea if they want to.
MacArthur now sets aside a modest amount of flexible funds within its General Program for this purpose. And I would like to increase this amount so we could respond especially to new leadership making a difference in important institutions. Instead I had to counsel him on how to thread his way through the eye of our programmatic needle. I really did feel his pain. From our side, we need to give clear signals promptly, not lead people on or encourage wasted effort and we need to be available and responsive.