News & Stories
A Message on the Foundation's Endowment Strategy and Progress
October 30, 2026 04:00 PMA statement from the University of Illinois Foundation
Because of You: University of Illinois Foundation Announces Record‑Setting $748.3 Million in FY26 New Business
October 23, 2026 09:30 AMMore than 50,000 donors and nearly 194,000 gifts push UIF past last year’s record by $92.3 million
Larry Gies pledges $100 million matching gift to Gies College of Business
October 20, 2026 11:24 AMThe pledge, which will potentially generate $200M for scholarships, students, and faculty support, brings his lifetime giving to the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign to $350M, making him its largest benefactor.
Omair Ahmed Makes Transformational Investment in UIC Men’s Basketball
September 23, 2026 05:01 PMLandmark gift from Chicago entrepreneur and Goldfinch founder/CEO to significantly elevate resources, opportunities and profile of Flames program.
Former Illini Cheerleader Establishes Cheerleading Scholarship Fund
September 11, 2026 10:35 AMFormer University of Illinois cheerleader David A. Mizer has established the David A. Mizer Cheerleading Education Fund, creating a new scholarship opportunity for members of the Fighting Illini Cheerleading program.
Ensuring opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed
September 09, 2026 11:42 AMFor Jack Blevins, giving back has never been about recognition. It is about ensuring future generations of Illinois engineers have the same opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed that shaped his own life.
Retired UIS Professor Gives Back to Help People Get Where They Want to Be
September 08, 2026 10:31 AMSharron LaFollette’s support will help create opportunities for future generations of students to gain meaningful professional experience while exploring careers that align with their passions.
University of Illinois Philanthropy Center Earns WELL Platinum Certification
August 18, 2026 08:57 AMThe University of Illinois Philanthropy Center has earned WELL Platinum certification—the highest level achievable under the WELL Building Standard, and one of the most rigorous recognitions a workplace can earn.
What will you leave behind?
August 17, 2026 10:08 AMLynette Marshall and Jeffery Ford have chosen to leave a planned gift to the College of ACES, where Marshall’s career began. It’s a full‑circle decision: the college's first fundraiser, ensuring that the work she helped start will carry on long after her.
Volkmann Scholarship honors library director and mentor
July 29, 2026 11:23 AMCarl Volkmann passed away in 2013, but his commitment to helping future public librarians lives on through the Volkmann Scholarship he and his family established at the iSchool.