鶹Լ University Celebrates Record Year of Philanthropic Support

The University achieved its strongest single-year fundraising performance in institutional history during its 125th year

by Kylee Roney
125 forever blue

DECATUR, Ill. – 鶹Լ University has achieved a record year of philanthropic support, with both cash received and new donor commitments reaching historic highs.  

As 鶹Լ marked 125 years of transforming lives through education, the generosity of 鶹Լ alumni, friends, and supporters propelled the University to its most successful fundraising year in fiscal year 2026. Donors contributed $15.78 million in cash – a 63% increase over fiscal year 2025 – and $32.23 million in total new business, including cash, pledges, and new commitments. Together, these results represent the University’s strongest single fundraising year on record.

The 鶹Լ Fund, which supports the University’s areas of greatest need, and Annual Scholarships, which help provide financial support to the 99% of 鶹Լ students who receive financial aid, both significantly exceeded their fundraising goals this year. Giving to the 鶹Լ Fund reached 137% of its goal, while Annual Scholarship giving reached 183% of its goal.  

The University confirmed the record after reviewing historical fundraising results. While 鶹Լ's history includes several major comprehensive fundraising campaigns that generated significant commitments over multiple years, fiscal year 2026 represents the University's highest single-year fundraising performance. 

“We have a compelling and convincing story to tell,” said 鶹Լ University President Dean Pribbenow.

    • Investments are powerful reminders that people believe in 鶹Լ. They believe in our students. They believe in our faculty and staff. And they believe in the role this University plays in shaping the future of our region.”
    — Dr. Dean Pribbenow, 鶹Լ University President

  • Nearly 2,700 donors contributed to 鶹Լ during the fiscal year, supporting students, academic programs, athletics, scholarships, facilities, and University priorities. The breadth of this support reflects the many ways alumni, families, friends, and other members of the 鶹Լ community continue to invest in the University. 

    As part of the University’s 125th anniversary celebration, the 鶹Լ community came together for the , the institution’s annual day of giving in support of students. Donors contributed more than $685,000, nearly doubling the University’s goal of $350,000. This year’s Forever True Blue campaign placed a special emphasis on supporting scholarships for the next generation of Big Blue alumni. Donors could direct gifts to scholarship funds supporting 鶹Լ’s academic colleges and schools, Annual Scholarships, scholar programs, and named endowed scholarships.

    125th anniversary balloons

    In addition, the giving initiative generated more than $100,000 in support. The campaign more than doubled its original fundraising goal of $50,000, reflecting the strong connection between 鶹Լ Athletics and its alumni, families, fans and supporters. Funds raised through the campaign will directly support student-athletes and the resources that help them succeed in both competition and the classroom.   

    The University also from the estate of Helen Cox Kersting ’56, the largest scholarship gift in the history of the College of Fine Arts. This gift is a testament to the lasting impact planned giving can have on future generations of students. Gifts such as these provide critical support for scholarships, academic programs, and institutional priorities while helping ensure 鶹Լ’s continued strength for years to come.  
     
    These gifts represent just a portion of the philanthropic investment received by 鶹Լ during fiscal year 2026. Donors also contributed to student support services like the 鶹Լ Market, which directly addresses food insecurity within the campus community, as well as the Linda Slagell Student Success Fund, providing emergency financial assistance to students facing unexpected expenses. 
     
    “The success of these efforts reflects a growing investment in 鶹Լ’s future and belief in the transformative power of a 鶹Լ education,” said Rick Darnell, Vice President of University Advancement. “We are grateful for every donor who chose to invest in 鶹Լ, whether through an annual gift, a scholarship, a planned gift, or another form of support. Together, these investments make a meaningful difference for our students and strengthen the University for the future.” 
     
    Philanthropic support helps 鶹Լ expand access through scholarships, strengthen academic and co-curricular opportunities, support student-athletes, enhance facilities, and advance priorities that directly affect the student experience.

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