NIU Crowdfunding FAQ
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NIU Impact is the NIU Foundation’s crowdfunding platform for approved university projects and initiatives. Gifts made through the platform are processed as charitable contributions to the NIU Foundation and are tax-deductible under the Foundation’s 501(c)(3).
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Any NIU department, registered student organization or recognized affiliate may propose a project. Proposals are reviewed for fit, feasibility and fundraising goal before a page is built.
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Most campaigns run for 30 days. Shorter windows concentrate attention and tend to outperform longer ones.
- Planning: four to six weeks
- Live: 30 days
- Thank-yous: one week
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All gifts still go to the project’s fund. NIU Impact is not all-or-nothing, so a project that falls short keeps everything it raised.
Travel Program Conditions
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Accommodation, listed meals, guided excursions and all internal transfers.
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Ninety days before departure, unless the itinerary states otherwise.
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Yes. Proof of coverage is required before final documents are issued.
Giving FAQ
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Yes, to the extent allowed by law. A receipt is issued for every gift.
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Recurring gifts can be set up monthly, quarterly or annually and changed at any time.
Any Questions?
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Giving
NIU Alumni Travel Program
Contact the Alumni Association
Once a Huskie, Always a Huskie
Stay connected to your alma mater, discover your pack and help shape the future of the next generation of NIU Huskies.
Once a Huskie, Always a Huskie
Giving
All gifts are received and managed by the NIU Foundation—NIU’s primary philanthropic driver. Since its founding in 1949, the NIU Foundation has helped thousands of donors invest in the success of NIU’s students, programs and initiative, ensuring that donor support is managed in accordance with their wishes and provides the maximum benefit to the university today, tomorrow and for years to come.
Matching Gifts
Our Campaign
FORWARD: The Campaign for NIU is the largest fundraising campaign in our history, mobilizing $300 million to propel student success, faculty excellence and community impact. Our Campaign is a bold, comprehensive effort to strengthen the university’s mission of empowering students through educational excellence and experiential learning.
Our Campaign
FORWARD: The Campaign for NIU is the largest fundraising campaign in our history, mobilizing $300 million to propel student success, faculty excellence and community impact. Our Campaign is a bold, comprehensive effort to strengthen the university’s mission of empowering students through educational excellence and experiential learning.
Our Campaign
FORWARD: The Campaign for NIU is the largest fundraising campaign in our history, mobilizing $300 million to propel student success, faculty excellence and community impact. Our Campaign is a bold, comprehensive effort to strengthen the university’s mission of empowering students through educational excellence and experiential learning.
Our Campaign
FORWARD: The Campaign for NIU is the largest fundraising campaign in our history, mobilizing $300 million to propel student success, faculty excellence and community impact. Our Campaign is a bold, comprehensive effort to strengthen the university’s mission of empowering students through educational excellence and experiential learning.
FORWARD: The Campaign for NIU is the largest fundraising campaign in our history, mobilizing $300 million to propel student success, faculty excellence and community impact. Our Campaign is a bold, comprehensive effort to strengthen the university’s mission of empowering students through educational excellence and experiential learning.
Online
Make an immediate gift online through our secure website.
Matching gifts
Find out if your employer will match your contributions
NIU Payroll Deduct
For NIU faculty and staff
NIU faculty and staff can establish an automatic deduction.
Leave A Legacy
Planned gifts will positively impact NIU for years to come.
Recent News
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NIU Names Its 2026 Distinguished Alumni
Alumni Association
Five graduates will be honored at the annual awards dinner for achievement in medicine, public service, engineering, the arts and education.
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Scholarship Fund Passes $10 Million
Giving
A decade of donor support has grown the endowment past its founding goal two full years ahead of schedule.
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Homecoming 2026 Registration Opens
Stories of Impact
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From DeKalb to the Mayo Clinic
Alumni Profile
How a first-generation student from Rockford became one of the country’s leading paediatric cardiologists.
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NIU Alumni Travel Program
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Access to NIU Libraries
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NIU Recreation Center Alumni Discount
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Alumni Insurance Program
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Continuing Education
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NIU Alumni License Plates
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Benefits Overview
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Membership Terms and Conditions
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Chapter Event Planning Template
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Annual Giving Report Data
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Huskie Logo Pack
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NIU Alumni Career Portal
Connect With Your Huskie Community
Find different ways to stay connected and engaged with your pack.
Contact Us
Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Welcome home to the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, made possible through gifts from alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Welcome home to the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, made possible through gifts from alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
NIU Alumni Association Advisory Board of Directors
Meet the passionate, experienced leaders who serve as ambassadors, philanthropic leaders, mentors and advocates–helping to develop our vision and guide our mission.
Join the Board
Call for Nominations: Nominations open each January. We invite NIU alumni and friends to participate.
NIUAA Board of Director Application Timeline
- Application Deadline – March 1, 2024
- Committee Review – March 1 to March 31
- Interviews – April
- Selection – May
- Formal Induction – July
To learn more, email alumns@niu.edu
NIUAA Director Key Expectations
- Attend each of the three annual board meetings in person (February, May, September).
- Be actively involved in one of NIUAA’s committees, which meet monthly by conference call.
- Attend key alumni events.
- Be ready to proudly share your NIU experience and university news with your friends, colleagues and fellow alumni.
To see the full job description for an NIUAA Board Director, email alumns@niu.edu
Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Welcome home to the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, made possible through gifts from alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Welcome home to the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, made possible through gifts from alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
How to Give
There are several ways to make your gift to the NIU Foundation to benefit Northern Illinois University.
Give Today
Online
Make an immediate gift online through our secure website.
Matching gifts
Find out if your employer will match your contributions
NIU Payroll Deduct
NIU faculty and staff can establish an automatic deduction.
Donor-Advised Funds, Stock and Other Gifts
Give appreciated securities, or recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund.
Build the Future
Give Monthly/Yearly
Recurring gifts address the most pressing needs across NIU.
Leave A Legacy
Planned gifts will positively impact NIU for years to come.
Give a Gift That Grows
Endowments establish permanent funds that make a yearly impact.
Other Ways to Give
Give us a call at 1-877-GIV-2-NIU (1-877-448-2648) if you have questions or to make a gift over the phone.
Want to mail us a check? Make the check payable to Northern Illinois University Foundation and mail to:
NIU Foundation
PO Box 746 DeKalb, IL 60115
Areas of Giving
Scholarships
Support students directly, from first-year awards to named endowments.
Colleges and Programs
Direct your gift to the college, department or program you care about.
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Egypt and the Eternal Nile
February 1-15, 2027
Accompanied by an expert Egyptian guide, this 15-day journey reveals antiquity’s treasures in Cairo, then on a Lake Nasser cruise and a classic Nile voyage from Aswan to Luxor, before returning to Cairo.
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European Tapestry: Amsterdam to Paris
April 5-16, 2027
Europe of old – and new – springs to life on this relaxed journey through cities rich with art and architecture, vibrant street life, and prized UNESCO sites.
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Enchanting Ireland: A Tour of the Emerald Isle
June 13-25, 2027
Ireland delights on this full yet well-paced 13-day tour, showcasing its many charms – old and new.
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Southern Italy and Sicily
Sept. 13-27, 2027
Delight in a special 15-day exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to Apulia, the alluring “boot heel,” enjoying Italian hospitality, outstanding cuisine, and unique hotels.
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Paradores and Pousadas: Historic Lodgings of Spain and Portugal
Oct. 4-18, 2027
Feel the spell of Iberia’s rich Roman and Moorish past – and the pull of its vibrant contemporary life – on this distinctive 15-day journey through the Iberian Peninsula to the intimate lodgings of Spain’s paradores and Portugal’s pousadas.
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Egypt and the Eternal Nile