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About the Philanthropy Center

In May 2022 the University of Illinois Foundation broke ground on an innovative new Philanthropy Center to serve as its headquarters. It is a refined and functional, three-story brick and glass structure with more than 60,000 square feet of finished space of modern office, meeting, and work environments that will assist with retaining, developing, and recruiting top talent.

Notable spaces include an open and inviting atrium, a café with grab and go options, a conference center suite, an employee wellness studio, a talent management center, a professional development center, a media studio, a learning lab, a think tank innovation lab, a library, a great room, meditation rooms, mother’s rooms, a dining room, and an outdoor terrace on the third floor.

The Center was completed in February 2024 and—true to its design concept and intent—celebrates the rich history of donor generosity, brings Foundation staff together in a single location, and serves as a learning hub for the advancement community.

Building Certifications

The Philanthropy Center has obtained LEED Gold Certification with building elements that meet and exceed a rigorous set of environmentally friendly standards in both the construction, use, and maintenance of the building.

The Foundation is striving for WELL Platinum Certification. WELL standards are designed with employees’ health and wellness in mind. Aspects of light, air, water, fitness, comfort, nourishment, and minds of employees were all at the forefront of the design and amenities included in the building. The Philanthropy Center is the first new construction facility on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus to strive for WELL Certification. The certification process will be completed later in 2024.

Convenient Location

The building site is on the south side of the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign campus, just west of the corner of Fourth Street and St. Mary’s Road. This convenient location is near athletic facilities, the Research Park, and the I Hotel and Conference Center.

Design/Build Team

After a competitive procurement process, the Foundation selected Perkins Eastman and Berglund Construction as their design/build partners. Project Management Advisors (PMA) has also been retained by the Foundation to provide consulting services. Berglund and Perkins Eastman have worked together on projects of similar scope before and have collaborative experience with the design/build project type.

Perkins Eastman is a global design firm founded on the belief that design can have a direct and positive impact on people’s lives. The firm’s award-winning practice draws on its 1,100+ professionals networked across 24 offices worldwide. By keeping the user’s needs foremost in the design process, the firm enhances the human experience across the spectrum of the built environment.

Berglund Construction was the general contractor for the project. Berglund is a family-owned and operated general contracting and restoration firm headquartered in Chicago, with offices nationwide. The firm prides itself on identifying best-fit approaches and creative solutions using advanced tools and technology to ensure projects reach their maximum potential. Berglund has provided their services on many significant campuses including the University of Illinois, University of Chicago, and Northwestern University. Berglund has received national recognition, including the Construction Excellence Award from the U.S. General Services Administration and the National Preservation Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Project Management Advisors, Inc. (PMA) is a real estate consulting firm focused on project implementation acting as the owner’s representative. They provide a range of business and technical expertise and experience in the development process, servicing clients in a wide variety of public and private sector industries, both locally and on a national level.

Donors Investing in Our Future

The Foundation is grateful for the generosity of numerous donors who helped make the Philanthropy Center possible. These philanthropists—and the many donors who contribute to the University of Illinois—are honored throughout the building.

There are still some naming opportunities available for this unique project. For more information contact: Brooke Weisenbeck, Vice President for Presidential Development Initiatives, 217.333.8823, weisenbeck@uif.uillinois.edu.