University of Illinois Foundation Joins Innovative Partnership Seeking to Address Inequities in Planned Giving Programs

Champaign, Ill. — The University of Illinois Foundation (UIF) is proud to partner with Delaware State University (DSU), Norfolk State University (NSU), and The Planned Giving Initiative (PGI) to foster careers within the field of planned giving by helping to build knowledge and capacity around core best practices for  planned giving programs.

UIF, DSU, and NSU will each host a Planned Giving Fellow, building a cohort of early-career professionals who will interact with advancement and gift planning experts at the three host institutions, PGI, and beyond. This unique opportunity bridges the strengths and the needs of UIF, DSU, and NSU, reaping the systemic benefits that an inclusive and comprehensive planned giving program can offer to organizations while creating a better understanding of the unique challenges planned giving programs face in today’s world.

“Helping prepare the next generation of advancement professionals has always been important to the University of Illinois Foundation. We are grateful to PGI for inviting us to collaborate on this innovative partnership with Norfolk State University and Delaware State University, and we look forward to the impact this initiative will have on our industry, profession, and most importantly, the great academic institutions we serve.”

Jim Moore, President/CEO, University of Illinois Foundation

In addition to their hands on experience working with gift planning  and advancement professionals, the fellows will participate in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's (CASE) Graduate Trainee Program to gain a broader understanding of higher education advancement work. 

Planned Giving Initiative

Co-founded by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus Andy Hibel (UIUC ’90, EDM ’94) and his wife Elizabeth in 2020, PGI is an initiative of the Hibel Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. PGI endeavors to foster the careers and education of individuals working in planned giving or serving blended roles between planned giving and major gifts in development. Grants are awarded to increase access to planned giving tools, resources, and mentors to further professional development and build capacity for planned giving programs essential for the long-term health and fiscal sustainability of the program. PGI also strives to expand the ability of nonprofits to carry out their missions in perpetuity by increasing the availability and use of gift planning in their development efforts. Gift Planning Fellows at Norfolk State University and Delaware State University will be funded by a PGI grant.

“We want to facilitate opportunities for professionals to learn from one another and better address the unique challenges their institutions face. We hope that the collaboration of peers will facilitate the development of more comprehensive planned giving programs that will ensure a robust future from generations of alumni to generations of future students.”

Elizabeth Hibel, PGI president

CASE Graduate Trainee Program

The CASE Graduate Trainee program is a career development program offering fellows employment with hands-on work experience at their institutions while also benefitting from direct support and training from one of the most impactful associations in academia. Fellows learn from working closely with institution professionals and benefit from an assigned CASE mentor and a cohort of peers.

The University of Illinois Foundation

The University of Illinois Foundation has been working in support of the University of Illinois for nearly 90 years. From spearheading the University of Illinois’ first major fundraising drive in 1935 to managing an endowment currently valued at more than $2.73 billion, the Foundation serves as the official fundraising and private gift-receiving provider for the University of Illinois System and its three universities: the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the University of Illinois Springfield.