We have a variety of giving opportunities available across four categories: Administrative Funds, Grant & Award Funds, International Student Support Funds, and Study Abroad Scholarship Funds. Within each, there are unique funds that support our units, students, faculty, staff, and programming. Explore each category and choose a fund that best fits your vision for your gift.

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:

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

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.

Online donations allow Illinois to receive funds faster. You may also set up recurring donations, allowing you to make a gift by debit or credit card every month with one setup transaction.

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. You can also reach out to your employer’s personnel or human resources office.

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.

Alumni Networking

Illini clubs, affinity groups and college groups are a great way to stay connected to the University of Illinois, 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.

Private giving helps close the funding gap not covered by tuition, fees, and funding from the state of Illinois, which has declined for the last several decades. Since 2000, state spending on public universities has declined by 46% in inflation-adjusted dollars according to the non-profit think tank Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, despite recent increases under Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Private funding is the critical factor in establishing the future of the university, including Illinois International, because it helps programs grow and thrive. Gifts from private donors ensure that we can attract the best faculty and students and offer academic programs of excellence, including global learning opportunities abroad. Philanthropic giving has always provided the university the critical margin of excellence required to deliver on our land-grant mission.

In most circumstances, donors with income taxable in the United States may deduct their gifts to the University of Illinois Foundation from that income. We recommend that you check with a local tax professional for details specific to your country.

Europe: In Europe, donors can utilize the University of Illinois Foundation UK Limited

Japan: In Japan, the Japan Illini Club has partnered with the Council for Better Corporate Citizenship (CBCC), an organization founded by Keidanren (the Japan Business Federation), to create a vehicle for residents to contribute to the University of Illinois and benefit from a tax deduction in Japan.

Please contact our partners at the University of Illinois Advancement for more specific information about giving options from overseas.

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, Associate Director of Advancement, in Illinois Advancement.

Thank you! A world class university demands world class support. Please visit the University of Illinois Advancement website to learn about the recent “With Illinois” campaign, read stories of impact, and contribute to other areas of giving.

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.