FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Illinois Foundation
October 2, 2009
University of Illinois Brilliant Futures Campaign
Passes 76% Mark Toward $2.25 Billion Goal
The University of Illinois’ Brilliant Futures Campaign, the largest in the school’s 142-year history, has
passed the $1.707 billion mark towards its $2.25 billion goal as of Aug. 31, 2009.
The Campaign began on July 1, 2003, and will conclude Dec. 31, 2011. The Campaign counts outright
gifts, grants, and pledges to the University as well as deferred commitments. Of the $1.707 billion
raised to date, $1.182 billion were outright commitments and $524.5 million were in deferred gift
arrangements. $990.1 million has been designated for current use and $716.6 million designated for
endowments.
“Everybody associated with the University of Illinois and its three campuses is most pleased with the
progress we have made to date with the Brilliant Futures Campaign,” said University of Illinois
Foundation President Sidney S. Micek. “In this tough economic climate, we are most fortunate to
have such supportive alumni and friends of the University.”
As of Aug. 31, 2009, $1.211 billion had been designated by donors for the Urbana-Champaign
campus, $432 million for UIC, $21.5 million for UIS and $41.9 for the U of I Foundation and
University Administration purposes. The funds are used to support many areas, including student
scholarships and fellowships, faculty support, academic programs, facilities, and research.
Nearly $665 million of the total raised has come from alumni of the University, with another $214
million from non-alumni. Corporations and businesses have contributed $338 million and $319
million from foundations.
Of the $2.25 billion Brilliant Futures Campaign goal, $1.5 billion is for the Urbana-Champaign campus. The goal for the Chicago campus is $650 million and the Springfield campus mark is $28
million. The combined goal for University Administration and the U of I Foundation is $72 million.
This is the third comprehensive capital campaign for the University of Illinois. The initial fundraising
endeavor, Campaign for Illinois, exceeded its $100 million goal by raising $137 million between 1979
and 1985. The second effort, Campaign Illinois, was launched in 1991 with a goal of $1 billion. When
that campaign closed on Dec. 31, 2000, gifts totaled $1.53 billion, making it one of the largest
fundraising efforts conducted by a public university at that time.
For additional Information, contact:
Don Kojich
Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications
University of Illinois Foundation
217-333-0246
dkojich@uif.uillinois.edu