As a relatively new function of the academic research enterprise, research development offices and research development activities are being used to improve grant funding success and achieve university research goals. This article describes and analyzes survey data collected as part of a sequential explanatory mixed methods investigation of university research development activities and research development offices. The purpose of this investigation was to determine administrators' perceptions of what research development activities and best practices have contributed to increasing a university's annual sponsored funding totals. The data referenced in this article was collected via an electronic survey instrument posted to a listserv of members of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals. Data was collected on 21 research development activities, with support for large, multi-investigator project grants selected as the most important and impactful research development activity. Other highly-ranked research development activities are internal grant programs, grant team project management, and grant writing workshops. The responses helped to create a profile of university research development offices and revealed general agreement that the research development function in universities does improve grant funding success and also helps universities achieve their research goals. Understanding the roles that research development offices and activities play in supporting and improving grant funding success and university research goals is critical to organizational decision making. Keeping in mind the goals of their institution, research development professionals can consider the results of the present study in determining what research development activities have the most impact.