About Us

Each year thousands of alumni and friends express their loyalty and interest in the people and programs of the University by making a donation.

The primary purpose of the University of Illinois Annual Fund is to raise unrestricted gift funds for the Urbana-Champaign campus, its schools and colleges, and other campus units and programs. These gifts are often the only source of discretionary funds available to deans and directors to respond to unforeseen opportunities and needs.

Annual gifts touch every corner of the Urbana-Champaign campus—providing funds for scholarships and graduate student fellowships, student organizations, classroom remodeling and renovation, instructional technology, student and faculty research projects, course development, and other academic initiatives.

Your gift, no matter its size, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

How to Make Your Gift

You can make your gift online , use the printable form available here, or respond when you receive a mail appeal or are contacted by phone by a University of Illinois student.

Need Further Information?

If you have a question or need further information about the Annual Fund, please contact us at:

Annual Fund
University of Illinois
Swanlund Administration Building
601 E. John Street
Champaign , IL 61820
217.333.9174
giving@uiuc.edu

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why so Often?

Q. I made a gift in May and you are asking me to make another and it’s only October. I thought this was the Annual Fund not the Semi-Annual Fund. What’s the story?

A. The University of Illinois fund-raising year coincides with the University’s fiscal year: July 1 – June 30. Typically, alumni are asked to make their annual gift beginning in September or October, with additional appeals following throughout the fund-raising year. Please make your gift at a time that is most convenient for you. You can also make your gift online at any time or you can request to be solicited only at a specific time of the year (see the following question). Top

 

Can I schedule my gift?

Q. I like to make all of my philanthropic gifts in December of each year. Can you send me a single annual notice at that time and save the University some money by not contacting me at other times of the year?

A. We would be pleased to send you an annual reminder at a time of your choosing. Just contact us and we will be pleased to comply with your request. You will be removed from all other mailing and calling lists. Top

 

What if I have two degrees?

Q. I have degrees from both the College of Business and the College of Law. Can I make my gifts to both colleges at the same time, even though I will be using the gift form I received with my College of Business mailing?

A. Regardless of how you are contacted or for what area of the University, please feel free to make all of your gifts at the same time – just make a note on the gift or pledge form indicating how you would like your annual gift to be allocated. Or go to our online giving page and select the area (or areas) you wish to support. Top

 

How about my Alumni Association dues?

Q. I am a member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and pay my annual membership dues. Isn’t that a gift?

A. The Alumni Association is a separately incorporated membership organization and is not a department or division of the University of Illinois. As such, membership dues are not considered a gift to the University. However, the Alumni Association provides a lifelong connection to the University of Illinois and offers a variety of benefits to its members. All Illinois alumni are encouraged to both become a member of the Alumni association (visit the Alumni Association website for information) and support the University with their annual gift. Top

 

Why are you still calling me?

Q. I have signed up for the National Do Not Call Registry. Will I continue to be called by the University for my annual gift?

A. As a not-for-profit organization, the University of Illinois is exempt from the federal government’s National Do Not Call Registry. This is also true of all similar state-mandated lists. The University uses the phone throughout the year to visit with alumni regarding their interests in the University and only current students are employed to make those calls. This program remains one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways we have of contacting alumni, and is often a pleasurable way for alumni to connect with today’s students. However, if you prefer not to be called by the University of Illinois, please contact us and we will gladly honor your request. We can also accommodate your request to be called only for a specific area of the University. Top

 

How can I get my gift matched?

Q. I understand that many companies will match my gift to the University of Illinois. How can I find out if my employer will match my gift and how do I go about it?

A. More than 7,500 companies nationwide will match employees’ gifts (including, in many cases, those of retirees or spouses) to the University of Illinois. To find out if your employer will match your gift to Illinois, contact your company’s personnel or human resources office. You can also go here to check if your employer will match your gift. If they do, please mail the matching form with your gift to the University. We will take it from there. Top

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