Gifts to this fund support the most pressing needs of Illinois International, including a wide range of activities on campus and around the world.

This fund strengthens the mission Global Education and Training as a gateway to the expertise of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Gifts support the activities and operations of providing on-campus training programs, professional capacity building opportunities, and academic certificate programs to international executives and students.

This fund supports International Student and Scholar Services providing culturally sensitive services of the highest quality to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s international population and campus units through advising, immigration services, programming, advocacy, and outreach.

Gifts to this fund support the operations of Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange, which provides education abroad programs for all University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students and welcomes incoming international exchange students.

Gifts to this fund support the Charles C. Stewart Young Humanitarian Award, which recognizes recent University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates who have made significant contributions—either as a volunteer or in a professional capacity—to the advancement, education, health, and well-being of people in a country other than the United States and/or to global human welfare generally.

Gifts to this fund support the Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement, which recognizes international alumni who are highly distinguished in their profession, have made outstanding contributions to government, humanity, science, the arts, or human welfare, and exemplify the strength of their education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Gifts to this fund support the Sheth Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement, which recognizes an University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty member for exemplary accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service in the international arena.

Arthur Hamilton was the first Dean of International Students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He had the unique ability to recognize and understand the special circumstances of international students, many of whom could not have continued their education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign without his assistance. Created as a tribute to Dean Hamilton, this fund supports international students studying at the university who experience an unexpected expense that impacts their ability to continue their education.

Established by Horace and Kate Wu, this fund supports international students studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who experience an unexpected financial hardship that impacts their ability to continue their education.

Gifts to this fund support academic programming, cultural integration, and emergency assistance for the more than 11,000 international students who study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

This fund provides support for international students with financial need who study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The Carlene and Andy Ziegler Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2007 to assist academically strong students with financial need in participating in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s study abroad programs. Carlene studied abroad in France as an undergraduate and hoped to make that opportunity available for others.

The Lobdell family of Normal, Illinois, established the Chad Lobdell Memorial Scholarship in loving memory of their late son Chad, who spent his spring 1991 semester at the University of Lancaster. The purpose of the award is to give students wishing to study in Great Britain the chance to benefit from the experience of studying abroad—an experience which had a profound influence on Chad and those who knew him.

The Charles Wert India-Illinois Scholarship Fund provides financial support to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students studying abroad in India or other areas of South and Southeast Asia. The program reflects the Charles Wert’s strong interest in fostering interactions between the university and institutions in India.

This scholarship was established in 2023 by David H. Burns, a 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to help students with financial need experience time abroad in the United Kingdom. Mr. Burns studied abroad for a full year in Scotland and found it to be a powerful experience. Mr. Burns hopes this scholarship will lessen financial barriers and provide students — particularly those from the LGBTQIA+ community — the chance to immerse themselves in a new culture, form new friendships, and gain a global perspective.”

The Kellogg Award serves to honor Earl Kellogg, who served as Associate Provost for International Affairs, and his wife, Jan. The award is intended to increase the number of students with global competencies and in-depth understandings of other countries and cultures. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students may achieve this advance in understanding by studying abroad and holding internships in the developing world, particularly in countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia that historically have been underrepresented in study abroad. The award will help prepare students to function more effectively in their careers and citizenship at the local, state, national, and global levels.

The Enabled Abroad Scholarship is available to undergraduate students with a physical or sensory disability who would like to participate in one of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s study abroad programs.

Gifts to this fund support the Friends of Illinois International (formerly known as International Programs and Studies) Study Abroad Scholarship, which is available to any student participating in one of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s study abroad programs.

Joan Solaún served as director of Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange (then called the Study Abroad Office) for 23 years. During her tenure, Joan helped transform study abroad at the university from a small program that served only a few hundred students a year to one of the largest programs in the country. Today, thanks to Joan’s leadership, the Urbana campus sends more than 2,000 students to study in over fifty countries. The Joan Solaún Honorary Study Abroad Scholarship honors Joan’s many contributions to study abroad at the university and, at the same time, helps make studying abroad more affordable for deserving Illinois students.

This scholarship was established in memory of Margaret Marsden Murphy by her family. Gifts to this fund support University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduates in their study abroad experiences.

The Mary E. Mohler International Study Grant seeks to promote a global orientation among future American leaders and professionals. The grant directly assists students in broadening their educational backgrounds and encompassing an international perspective, specifically students with an interest in international studies who study abroad in Great Britain, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Pacific Rim countries. The fund was created by a generous gift from the late Mary Elizabeth Takach.

This scholarship was established by Michael and Mary Ann Vahl to support students studying in Scotland or other parts of the United Kingdom. Mike spent a year abroad at the University of Dundee and benefitted tremendously from that experience. Mr. and Mrs. Vahl are happy to directly assist current University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students who are studying abroad in the United Kingdom for a semester or academic year.

Michelle T. Randag set up this scholarship to support University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students who display financial need and will be enrolled in an academic year study abroad program. Michelle studied abroad for an academic year in Wales and then completed additional studies and an internship in the Dominican Republic, and she hopes this scholarship will make academic year study abroad experiences more affordable and accessible to all students.

The Nelle M. Signor Fellowships are awarded annually to outstanding University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign doctoral students conducting dissertation research in international relations and related fields. The fellowships are funded through a generous gift from the late Nelle M. Signor.

Suzanne and David Martin-Reay, having met as a result of Suzanne’s participation in study abroad, greatly benefited from it and strongly believe that all students having a desire should be able to participate in study abroad. They established this fund to enable University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students to gain an understanding of other cultures as well as critical international skills and experiences. This fund directly assists students with financial need who are abroad for an academic year.

William H. and Olivia F. Allaway set up this scholarship to support an undergraduate student exhibiting academic merit and financial need enrolled in a study abroad program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Yes! All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official gift depository of the university, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The University of Illinois Foundation tax ID is 37-6006007.

Tax receipts are generally mailed to you within a week of receiving your donation.

Yes! Commemorative gifts are a thoughtful way to honor or memorialize a loved one while supporting Illinois International and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Your memorial gift can establish an endowment, renew a study abroad scholarship, or help fund other projects, including supporting capital improvement projects and professional staff development.

There are several ways to establish a memorial gift, including:

• Making an outright gift to fund at any time.
• Making a bequest in your will to provide funding after your lifetime.
• Setting up an endowment to fund a special program or project in perpetuity.

Recognition for a memorial or tribute depends on the gift, but may include:

• Endowed fund named after honoree.
• Scholarship named after honoree.
• Honoree’s name engraved on a plaque.
• Building named after honoree, solely or along with other honorees.

Yes! A gift of tangible personal property, such as a work or collection of art, rare books, stamp or coin collection, etc., entitles the donor to a charitable deduction based on the full fair market (appraised) value of the gift if the gift complies with the standard of “related use” regarding the designation at and use by the University of Illinois.

When you make a gift online using your credit card, you have the option of giving a fixed amount over a specified period of time or indefinitely. Charge date options are either monthly or annually.

Thousands of companies nationwide sponsor matching gift programs to encourage employees to support their colleges and universities. These employers provide matching gifts that can double or even triple the value of a gift to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, including to Illinois International! Many companies will also match gifts made by employee spouses and retirees. Search companies with a matching gift policy on the University of Illinois Foundation website.

No. The University of Illinois Foundation only helps facilitate matching gifts from other companies and their employees when they give to the university. The University of Illinois Foundation does not have a matching gifts program of its own when giving to external nonprofits and charitable causes.

Yes! If you would like your gift to remain anonymous and confidential, please make a note in the additional instructions box. The receipt for your gift will indicate the gift has been recorded as anonymous.

I’m a recent graduate. How can I support Illinois International?

Alumni Networking

Illini clubs, affinity groups and college groups are a great way to stay connected to the university, Illinois International, and your fellow alumni. They offer a variety of social, cultural, educational, community service and networking events through the University of Illinois Alumni Association. To get involved, visit the Illinois Alumni Association’s Clubs and Groups page.

Online Engagement

Staying connected to Illinois International online is easy and free. Bookmark our website, read our stories, and follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

Monetary Giving

Gift size is a decision each donor makes. Making a gift, regardless of size, sends a message of support to Illinois International and helps increase our percentage of alumni who give. 

Members of the Presidents Council are recognized for having made outright gifts of $50,000 or more in their lifetime, as well as those who have made deferred gifts of $50,000 or more. Joint membership is extended to couples/partners who provide gifts at those levels.

Scholarships and grant programs fund experiences that might not otherwise be covered by tuition, assistantships, and/or student fees. Giving also sustains on-campus programming with an international focus, allowing staff and faculty to create new and innovative opportunities for students to engage with the diverse perspectives and experiences represented at Illinois.

Yes! Payroll deduction is a convenient way to support Illinois, including Illinois International’s programs, scholarships, and initiatives if you work at the University of Illinois. Payroll deduction can be initiated online through the University of Illinois Foundation website. Please note that it may take more than one pay period before your payroll deduction goes into effect.

If you are interested in creating a scholarship or memorial fund with Illinois International, please contact international@illinois.edu. If you have questions about estate planning or gifts to other parts of the university, please contact Mike Nelson, Director of Advancement.

Illinois values its relationship with you. Recently moved? Changed last names? Pivoted to a new career? Stay connected with Illinois by visiting the Illinois Advancement Alumni and contact form.