JoinTheIFUND.com

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In the fiscal year ended June 30, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics raised more than $45 million, good for the second-highest fundraising total in school history, the athletic program announced today. The total was the third consecutive year that the DIA has surpassed $40 million in annual fundraising, a first for Fighting Illini Athletics, and the fourth consecutive year of year-over-year fundraising growth. These totals include donations made or pledged toward the I FUND, the athletic program's annual scholarship fund; a variety of capital projects; major gifts toward various other endeavors; and premium seating.

"For obvious reasons, the tail end of FY20 was challenging in many respects, but even in the face of such difficult times, our friends and donors have remained incredibly generous and supportive of our bold vision for Illinois Athletics," Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "On behalf of our student-athletes and our staff, we are forever grateful to so many proud Illini for continuing to pave the way for our student-athletes to enjoy a life-changing, championship-caliber experience."

During the past 12 months, Illinois donors have given to numerous facilities projects, including $10.5 million toward the Ubben Basketball Practice Facility, $18 million for men's and women's golf facilities and $3 million from the Martin family to build the Rex and Alice A. Martin Softball Training Complex. At the end of June, the fifth naming gift in the last two years came from the Atkins family, with $15 million in real estate for the Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois. The donation of the new golf club was the third major gift to the golf program in the year, adding to previously announced gifts from Steve Wymer and golf alumnus and current chair of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Don Edwards, and his wife, Anne. In addition, this year the DIA brought in $10.5 million for the Ubben renovation and expansion project, with large gifts from the Dossey family, Don and Anne Edwards, Dennis and Katharine Swanson, the Passaneau family, and an anonymous donor. 

"We are incredibly honored by the dedication and loyalty of our donors, especially given the struggles so many faced this year," Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development Howard Milton said. "Increasing the number of supporters in our program, combined with the increase in level of giving has been a high priority during these past four years under Josh's leadership. We must use this momentum, as we have in past years, to take the next step in getting more people involved, in any way they can join the fight."  

The Illinois Athletics scholarship fund, which covers the tuition and fees, room and board, and cost of attendance for the more than 500 Fighting Illini student-athletes, posted a year-end total of $6.87 million, which was an increase of 13.3 percent year-over-year.  The 6,135 donors of the scholarship fund represent 45 states, plus DC and Canada. The I FUND also saw 11.9 percent of those donors increase their annual giving in 2019-20.

"I want to express special thanks and congratulations to Howard Milton, our talented chief development officer, and our entire fundraising team," said Whitman. "His leadership, combined with our staff's tireless efforts, have yielded tremendous resources for the advancement of our program and the betterment of our student-athletes and coaches."

In addition to capital projects and scholarship fund gifts, the Office of Athletics Development also oversaw special initiatives vital to supporting student-athletes. Following the death of former Fighting Illini basketball player Robert Archibald, the DIA, along with family and friends, launched the Robert Archibald Student-Athlete Health and Wellness Fund to raise dollars for supporting mental health initiatives for the current student-athletes population. In March, the NCAA announced a waiver for seniors in spring sports who lost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eight generous donors made gifts to cover the $400,000 cost.

The DIA also provided fundraising support to two additional projects with monies benefiting impactful entities outside the University. The local organizing committee, including several DIA fundraisers, gathered community financial support and successfully bid to return the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament to Champaign. Led by head coach Lovie Smith, the DIA facilitated the creation and funding of the Bobby Roundtree Trust to assist in the medical care of the Fighting Illini defensive lineman who suffered a severe spinal injury in the spring of 2019. 

Over the past four years, the I FUND office has landed naming gifts for the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center, Demirjian Park, and the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center. During fiscal year 2017, the Office of Athletics Development increased fundraising by $5 million to $21.0 million with donations jumping significantly in fiscal year 2018 to $41.5 and $41.6 in fiscal year 2019. 

The year's efforts count toward the $300 million fundraising goal for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, which is part of "With Illinois," the $2.25 billion University-wide fundraising campaign.