UNI reaches Our Tomorrow goal early, raises goal to $300M
Increase of fundraising goal thanks to donor support
Two and a half years ahead of the scheduled completion of Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI, the University of Northern Iowa Foundation has surpassed its $250 million fundraising goal and is laying out a bolder goal for the future. The UNI Foundation has identified a stretch goal of $300 million by 2026 to fund campus priorities.
The campaign has seen historic contributions for students, programs, faculty, staff and the spaces that define the UNI experience:
- $67.5 million has been raised for scholarships, including the addition of 424 new donor-funded scholarships.
- $89 million for academic programs and faculty is providing resources to expand learning and support faculty in their teaching, research and service.
- $33 million in capital support has provided significant upgrades to UNI’s iconic spaces including the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, the UNI Campanile and the UNI-Dome.
- $37.5 million has been raised for Athletics facilities and programs.
- A $25 million gift to support faculty, strategic initiatives and scholarships culminated in the first named college at UNI – the David W. Wilson College of Business.
- 253 new endowments have been established.
- Six new and expanded programs including gerontology, data science, communication sciences and disorders, nursing, applied engineering and UNI@IACC have had significant investments.
The quiet phase of the Our Tomorrow campaign began in 2018, followed by a public launch in the fall of 2022. In that time, more than 28,000 donors have come from all 50 states and 17 countries to support UNI. Forty percent are first-time donors to the university. The median gift to the campaign is $100.
The campaign is organized around four pillars supporting students, faculty and staff, academic programs and learning spaces. Goals for each of these pillars are expanding with the new goal of $300 million.
Student Access and Success
- Raise $75 million in scholarship support.
- Raise $1.5 million for immediate student needs including the Student Emergency Fund, Panther Pantry and Panther Completion Grant.
Engaged Learning
- Double resources for student professional readiness, undergraduate research opportunities, student service learning and community engagement with an additional $4 million.
Academic Programs and Faculty
- Launch UNI’s new nursing BSN with $3.5 million.
- Raise an additional $10 million to support faculty and academic program growth.
Iconic Spaces
- Complete fundraising for the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center expansion and renovation.
- Create a new home for Panther Wrestling.
- Complete fundraising for phase 1 of the UNI-Dome renovation.
More information about the Our Tomorrow campaign can be found at ourtomorrow.uni.edu.