U of I and Foundation records third highest gift total ever at $216.6 million

The University of Illinois and the U of I Foundation enjoyed another excellent year in private gifts received for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2011. The University and UIF raised $216.6 million—the third highest gift total ever, according to Walter Knorr, U of I chief financial officer and treasurer of the U of I Foundation. FY11 was the fourth consecutive year—and only the fifth year ever—that the University and Foundation eclipsed the $200 million mark in gifts received.

$49.1 million was designated to the U of I directly and $167.5 million was contributed through the Foundation. More than 147,000 gifts from 86,000 donors were recorded during FY11.

Knorr made the announcement at the U of I Foundation’s 76th Annual Meeting today (Friday, Sept. 23) to approximately 500 elected Foundation Members and members of the Presidents Council and Chancellor’s Circle.

“Our supporters have made an amazing commitment with $216 million in gifts received this past fiscal year,” says Knorr. “Considering these challenging economic times, I am most impressed by the dedication of our donors.”

“We have many people to thank for the tremendous year we had,” says Sidney S. Micek, president of the University of Illinois Foundation. “The alumni and friends of the University of Illinois continue to step up to the plate and invest in the University. It is clear that our stakeholders believe in our outstanding faculty and students and want to give back. I applaud them.”

The $216.6 million in gifts breaks down as follows:

The $216.6 million in gifts received provided support for a number of initiatives across the campuses at Urbana‑Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. This past year, $93.1 million was raised for academic programs, $22.4 million for student support, $17.7 million for faculty support, $47.4 million for research, and $36 million for other purposes.

Of the $216.6 million raised last year, 68 percent ($147.8 million) was designated for current use funds. These funds are intended to be used during the current fiscal year. Also, $65.2 million was designated for the endowment. $3.6 million was designated for annuity/life income funds.

The active endowment of both the University and the U of I Foundation represents $1.6 billion as of June 30, 2011, or 67 percent of the total endowment of $2.403 billion. The UIF endowment produced a preliminary net return of 22 percent during FY11. Deferred gift commitments to the University and the Foundation total $803.3 million. This deferred amount combined with the active endowment creates a total of $2.403 billion.

The University of Illinois Foundation, which was established 76 years ago, is dedicated to securing and administering private gifts for the University of Illinois and its three campuses. The Brilliant Futures Campaign is the third comprehensive capital campaign for the University of Illinois. The Campaign began July 1, 2003, and is scheduled to conclude Dec. 31, 2011.

As of August 31, 2011, $1.597 billion had been designated by donors for the Urbana‑Champaign campus, $593 million for University of Illinois at Chicago, $25.9 million for the University of Illinois Springfield and $50.9 million for the U of I Foundation and University Administration purposes.