The Grantfather Part II Million or More
Like Michael Corleone expanding the family business in The Godfather Part II, CFR uses these modern “consigliere” tools to identify new allies and grow the SMC family’s… endowment.
What is GrantExec and FDO?
Before the rise of the internet, Chris Hardwick co-hosted this MTV dating game show from 1995 to 1998, in which the main contestant selects from a pool of 50 people without seeing them.
What is Singled Out?
Like the palantír stones used in The Lord of the Rings to see far-off events, CFR uses this tool to spot promising funders and RFPs before others do.
What is FDO?
In the Star Wars universe, this small council of twelve, including permanent members like Yoda and Mace Windu, deliberated galactic events and discerned the will of the Force, much like CFR’s annual October meetings with all Deans to guide campus funding priorities.
What is the Jedi Council?
In the James Bond universe, even the elite 00 agents, and other international spies, could benefit from an annual gathering to share intel, network, and learn new tricks of the trade, much like CFR does at this national event.
What is the Case Conference?
Like a Corleone “offer you can’t refuse,” CFR will send out over 75 of these this year — knowing the more we send, the better our odds of securing the family’s future.
What are LOIs or Proposals?
The professional networking site Linkedin, was founded in 2002, two years before the social networking site Facebook, which inspired this category title and movie by this acclaimed director who was raised in Marin.
Who is David Fincher?
In Middle-earth, the wisest leaders consult Gandalf for guidance. In CFR, we turn to this modern “wizard” to reveal upcoming grant opportunities.
What is GrantExec AI?
Much like Luke Skywalker’s time on this swamp-covered planet, where Yoda trained him in the ways of the Force, CFR workshops prepare faculty and staff to master the art of securing external funding.
This quirky and often unflappable MI6 employee equips Bond with new tools and gadgets, from exploding pens to invisible cars, much like LinkedIn Learning equips CFR with the skills to stay ahead.
Who is Q?
In The Godfather Part II, Michael knew he needed to expand his territories to grow the family business, including moving into this desert city known for high stakes and bright lights.
What is Las Vegas?
This 2006 film, set in San Francisco and starring Will Smith, follows a struggling salesman who lands big opportunities through persistence, networking, and showing up — even without an official invite.
What is The Pursuit of Happyness?
A proper map to this location would have saved Frodo, Sam, and the Fellowship a lot of detours and dangerous encounters — just as CFR’s shared document helps deans, faculty, and staff stay on the same path toward funding goals, reporting deadlines, and new opportunities.
What is Mordor, or Mount Doom?
Formed from pilots, smugglers, senators, and Jedi, this network of allies united across the galaxy with a shared goal, defeating the Empire, much like CFR unites campus connections to pursue common funding opportunities.
What is The Rebel Alliance?
Just as a course in this art could teach you to perfect Bond’s signature martini, shaken, not stirred, CFR takes specialized training each year, from Advanced Excel to LinkedIn Learning.
What is Mixology?
The Corleones never went in cold — they used trusted connections to make the introduction. CFR does the same with this tool, finding the right funders to approach and the best way to open the conversation.
What is FDO?
In this HBO comedy, big deals and big disasters often happen when tech founders “accidentally” meet investors at parties, meetups, or someone else’s office.
What is Silicon Valley?
Much like Gandalf showing up alive after everyone thought he was gone, CFR reaches out to these allies from past adventures to see if they’re ready to ride into battle (and fund) once more.
What are Past Funders?
After their defeat at Hoth, the Rebel Alliance regrouped with new allies to plan a decisive mission to attack this planet-killing weapon — much like CFR working with a new Grants Manager and new Business Office staff to prepare for future funding victories.
Like this no-nonsense head of MI6, CFR will gather the team monthly to share intel, teach new skills, and brief everyone on mission-critical updates.
Who is M?
Even the Godfather needed a ledger. CFR uses this internal tracking tool to know exactly where every “deal” stands, from first offer to final handshake.
What is The Dashboard?
Set in a Paris restaurant, this 2007 Pixar film demonstrates how embracing new partnerships, even unconventional ones, can lead to success in a competitive environment, just as networking across institutions can.
What is Ratatouille?
Located in beautiful, sprawling hills with dorms, halls, and plenty of character, our campus is much like this place — the home of the hobbits in The Lord of the Rings.
What is The Shire?
Much like the Jedi in Star Wars, the Christian Brothers at Saint Mary’s wear long garments. The Brothers’ attire are not Jedi robes, but instead called this, and sadly they don’t come with a lightsaber.
What is a Cassock?
In A View to a Kill, James Bond foils a plot to destroy Silicon Valley, with scenes filmed on this iconic San Francisco landmark where he faces off against villain Max Zorin.
What is the Golden Gate Bridge?