Events

Giving day events help create awareness for strategic initiatives and stress giving participation from all members of NIU’s constituency. Together, our giving day events have raised $12.5 million over a five-year span. In addition to raising funds, giving days also create awareness for and build understanding of NIU’s strategic initiatives, as well as provide a significant volunteer opportunity through a social media ambassador program.

Matches and challenges throughout Huskies United give donors the chance to significantly increase the impact of their gift to schools, departments, research initiatives and programs across NIU. In 2024, over $450,000 was unlocked through donor matches and challenges. Interested in leveraging your gift? Contact the Huskies United team at northernfund@niu.edu to learn more.

There's so much to love about NIU and on April 2 and 3, you can show it.

_{JOIN US IN THE OASIS IN THE HOLMES STUDENT CENTER}

_{Kick-off and celebrate philanthropy with the NIU Foundation and on-campus community during Huskies United.}

_{April 2: 4PM-7:30PM}

_{Join us for Bingo 6PM-8PM -}_{Register to save your spot}!

_{April 3: 4PM-7:30PM}

_{Know your stuff? Join us for NIU Trivia 6PM-8PM -}_{Register your team now!}

_{Special appearances, photo & video booths and more!}

_{Step inside our cash grab at Huskie Headquarters to snag as many dollars as possible to donate to the fund of your choice.}

Upcoming Events

Leaderboard

College Total Dollars Raised

Show your Huskie pride! The below leaderboard totals the amount raised for each of NIU's seven academic colleges during Huskies United.

College Total Dollars Raised (7)

Match

Huskies United Northern Fund Challenge

Thanks to the generosity of an alumnus who cares about the future of NIU and its students, every gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to an additional $100,000 that will be unlocked to support the Northern Fund and Huskie United totals.

Event

First Huskies United Donor Challenge

First donor of Huskies United at 4:25 PM will receive an additional $500 to the area of their gift. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

The 1895 Challenge

In celebration of the founding year of NIU, the 1,895 donor is to be recognized with an additional $1,895 to the fund of their gift. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

$5,000

Golden Hearts Scholarship Challenge

The College of Business faculty aims to inspire giving in support of this scholarship. Once 10 individual gifts of $100 or more are made, their $5,000 contribution will be unlocked.

10 Donor Goal

Starts in

$4,000

COE Strategic Priorities Challenge

A generous COE alumnus wants to inspire giving in support of the college. When 50 gifts (total) are made to support the college in any area, it will unlock their gift of $4,000.

50 Gift Goal

Starts in

$100

Sustaining Student Success Challenge

The director for the Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy (ESE), Thomas Skuzinski, wants to inspire gifts in support of ESE. When 5 gifts are made in support of ESE, it will unlock $100 of his gift. When 15 gifts are made in support of ESE, it will unlock $500 of his gift. And, when 25 gifts are made in support of ESE, it will unlock the entire $1000 of his gift.

5 Gift Goal

Starts in

$25

Southeast Asian Studies Scholarship Fund

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies at NIU is dedicated to increasing the world's knowledge and understanding of Southeast Asia's 11 countries through academic endeavor and public outreach. We are excited to announce that Dr. Melissa Lenczewski, the Assistant Director of Southeast Asian Studies, will be the generous donor supporting the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, assisting students who participate in the Center’s program. Your donations will go directly to the Center for Southeast Asian Studies Fund, providing financial aid, as well as academic and programmatic resources, for students. How It Works: When 5 gifts are made in support of the fund, it will unlock $25 of Dr. Lenczewski’s donation. When 10 gifts are made, it will unlock $50 of her donation. When 15 gifts are made, it will unlock $105 of her donation.

5 Gift Goal

Starts in

$3,000

Mullick Family Student Scholarship Challenge

Thanks to a generous gift from the Mullick Family who wish to inspire gifts to the CEET Mullick Family Student Scholarship, when $1,000 has been raised during Huskies United an additional gift from the Mullick family of $3,000 will be unlocked to provide the unmatched potential and innovation in our students that wish to pursue a career in engineering.

$1,000 Goal

Starts in

$2,000

CHHS Dean's Challenge #2

CHHS Dean Kelly Fiala and Dr. Laura Marinaro want to see strong support from our CHHS team! When 30 gifts of any amount, to any CHHS program or fund, are received from CHHS faculty or staff, they will contribute $2,000 to the Interprofessional Education Fund.

30 Gift Goal

Starts in

$500

CHHS Advisory Board Challenge #2

Help Unlock a $500 Challenge Gift! CHHS Advisory Board member, Rosemary Gullikson, is contributing $500 as part of a pooled resource challenge to purchase supplies for School of Nursing students. But here’s the catch, her gift will be unlocked only when we reach $1,000 in support! Your contribution will help us reach this goal and make a real difference. Every gift, big or small, brings us closer!

$1,000 Goal

Starts in

$6,000

CHHS Nursing Challenge

Help Unlock a $6,000 Challenge Gift! An anonymous donor has pledged $6,000 to support our School of Nursing students but there’s a challenge! Their generous gift will only be unlocked once we raise $2,000 in support. Your contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to this goal and makes a real impact on our future nurses. Let’s unlock this gift together!

$2,000 Goal

Starts in

Match

College of Law Student Emergency Fund Challenge

Thanks to generosity of Alumni Council President Rachel Hernandez (’05), gifts to the Law Student Emergency Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to an additional $500.

$20,000

Leonard and Stacey Mandell Endowed Scholarship for the Study of Law Challenge

A generous donor has established the Leonard and Stacey Mandell Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of former Associate Dean Lenny Mandell. When 100 gifts are made, a gift of $20,000 will be unlocked to help provide scholarship support to incoming and/or current law school students.

100 Gift Goal

Starts in

Event

Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies Directors' Challenge

Thanks to the generosity of the directors' of the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies, for every 4 donations that will unlock $350 in directors' donations up to $1,400.

Match

Marvin Rosen Scholarship Match Challenge

An anonymous alumnus has pledged to match each gift made to the Marvin Rosen Scholarship fund up to $10,000! Let’s show our support and raise $20,000 together for History students!

$5,000

College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean's Challenge

The Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Paul Kassel, wants to inspire giving toward the college. When CVPA receives 25 total gifts during Huskies United, his gift of $5,000 will unlock in the college totals.

25 Gift Goal

Starts in

$2,000

School of Music Challenge

A generous donor wants to inspire gifts to the College of Visual and Performing Arts during Huskies United. When 20 gifts are made to any area within the college, a gift of $2,000 will unlock and support the School of Music.

20 Gift Goal

Starts in

$5,000

Graduate String Quartet Fund Challenge

An anonymous donor has established a fund that supports the Graduate String Quartet In Residence program in the NIU School of Music. When 20 gifts are made to this scholarship during Huskies United, a gift of $5,000 will unlock to support the program.

20 Gift Goal

Starts in

$2,000

School of Theatre and Dance Challenge

20 Gift Goal

Starts in

$700

Barbara Cole Peters Campus Beautification Challenge

We are excited to announce a generous gift to Campus Beautification from the Barbara Cole Peters Fund for the NIU Art Museum, inspired to help restore and maintain our campus sculptures. When we reach $2,500, $700 will be released. When we reach $6,000, we release $1,000. $9,000, it will release the final $1,000. Join us in keeping NIU beautiful!

$2,500 Goal

Starts in

Event

DoubleHuskies Challenge

The two areas given to most by DoubleHuskies will receive an additional $250 each. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

Students Gift Challenge

This challenge is for our students who embrace that generous spirit before they even graduate. The area receiving the most student gifts will receive an additional $250. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

Huskie Pack Challenge

Show off your pets by posting a video or photo. Participate on social media by using #HuskiesUnited and mentioning the NIU program or fund of your choice. Five donors who post pets in NIU gear will receive an additional $100 to the area of their choice. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

Night Owl Challenge

Post on social about your gift using #HuskiesUnited between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. CST and you could be one of two donors selected to receive an additional $100 to your area of support. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Leaderboard

College Total Gifts

Show your college pride! The below leaderboard shows the total gifts for each of NIU's seven academic colleges during Huskies United.

College Total Gifts (7)

$200,000

Huskies United Participation Challenge

Thanks to the generosity of an alumnus who cares about the future of NIU and its students, when 2,000 total gifts to any area are made during Huskies United, a $200,000 gift to support the Northern Fund will be unlocked into our totals.

2,000 Gift Goal

Starts in

$100,000

Huskies United Leadership Donor Challenge

Thanks to the generosity of an alumnus who cares about the future of NIU and its students, when 50 Leadership Society level gifts of $1,000 or more are made during Huskies United, a $100,000 gift to support the Northern Fund will be unlocked into our totals.

50 Gift Goal

Starts in

Event

Huskies United Hourly Challenge

First donor each hour of Huskies United will receive an additional $50 to the area of their gift. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

First Time Donor Challenge

Five first time donors will be given an additional $100 to the fund of their gift. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

$500

COE Alumni Council Project Graduate Challenge

The COE Alumni Council wants to inspire giving in support of the college. When 25 gifts (total) are made to support our Project Graduate program, it will unlock their gift of $500.

25 Gift Goal

Starts in

$500

Edible Campus Sprout-to-Flower Challenge

When 20 donors have given to the Edible Campus campaign, Dr. Amy Jo Clemen's $500 donation will unlock.

20 Donor Goal

Starts in

$250

Edible Campus Seed-to-Sprout Challenge

When 10 donors have given to the Edible Campus campaign, Karinne Bredberg's donation of $250 will unlock.

10 Donor Goal

Starts in

$100

Global Impact Challenge

Help fund fellowship opportunities, student activities, conferences, and academic support for Southeast Asian studies at NIU. How it Works: 5 Donations → Unlocks a $100 contribution to CSEAS fellowships and student programs. 10 Donations → Unlocks an additional $120 for conference funding and student activities. 20 Donations → Unlocks $100 to expand student engagement, faculty initiatives, and global partnerships.

5 Gift Goal

Starts in

Event

CHHS Dean's Challenge

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Sherrill Morris and Brian Brim are ready to help CHHS supporters double their impact. Every gift of $25 or more to CHHS-affiliated programs will unlock an additional $25 per donation for the college, up to $500.

$500

CHHS Advisory Board Challenge

We are excited to announce a generous $500 Challenge Gift from our advisory board member, Daniel Pesut. Daniel is committed to supporting our mission and is inviting others to join him. He will donate $500, but only if we can match his gift with another $500 from a fellow donor.

1 Gift Goal

Starts in

$2,000

CHHS Advisory Board Challenge #3

CHHS Advisory Board member and alum Linda Deering Dean wants to see further investments in the School of Nursing. When 10 gifts to nursing are received, it will unlock an additional gift of $2,000.

10 Gift Goal

Starts in

$17,000

College of Law Embracing Diversity Scholarship Challenge

An anonymous donor to the College of Law wants to encourage gifts to the Embracing Diversity Scholarship Fund. When a total of $5,000 or more is made to the College of Law Embracing Diversity Fund, a $17,000 gift will be unlocked.

$5,000 Goal

Starts in

$15,000

College of Law Student Scholarship Fund

When 50 gifts of $50 or more are made to the College of Law Student Scholarship Fund, a $15,000 gift will be made by a generous donor.

50 Gift Goal

Starts in

$1,000

CLAS Finish Line Challenge

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Robert Brinkmann and Mario Gomez will be giving a $1,000 gift to the CLAS Finish Line Fund once we have received 20 individual gifts to any project finish line-supporting fund.

20 Gift Goal

Starts in

$250

Huskies Closet Challenge

The Huskie Closet is a student resource, and also a 'learning lab' where faculty across campus bring classes to connect classroom learning with hands-on experience. This challenge is sponsored by faculty who have integrated class experiences into the Closet, helping ensure student interns who manage the Closet are paid via scholarship. $500 unlocked for Huskie Closet interns -- $250 unlocked upon the first five donations, and an additional $250 when we reach 15 total donors.

5 Gift Goal

Starts in

Match

Mickols CLAS Challenge

Thanks to the generosity of Bill Mickols, BS ’77, MS ’78 and Arlene Mickols, gifts made to anywhere in CLAS will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to an additional $25,000 that will be unlocked in support of students and programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

$2,000

School of Art and Design Challenge

20 Gift Goal

Starts in

$10,000

Clifford Alexis and G. Allan O’Connor Scholarship Challenge

Dr. Shelton Nicholas and Mrs. Janice Christopher Nicholls (parents of School of Music alum Savion Nicholls) have established a scholarship that supports graduate and undergraduate students in the NIU Steelband Program. When 50 gifts are made to this scholarship during Huskies United, a gift of $10,000 will unlock to support the program.

50 Gift Goal

Starts in

Event

Challenge for NIU International Guitar Series

Each of the last three years the NIU International Guitar Series has brought some of the most talented classical guitarists from all over the world to the performance halls of School of Music. World-class musicians from France, South Korea, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, China and Russia have performed as part of this series. A generous donor and supporter of the arts has pledged to match donations to continue this incredible series. Give today to help us unlock this gift.

$500

Campus Beautification Challenge

We are excited to announce a generous gift from NIU Art Museum Director, Josephine Burke. Josephine is committed to supporting our mission and enhancing our campus. When 20 donors make a gift to the Campus Beautification Fund, it will unlock her gift of $500 to ensure proper care and maintenance of NIU.

20 Donor Goal

Starts in

Event

Ambassador Challenge

NIU Ambassador whose outreach results in the most gifts will receive an additional $250 to the are of their choice. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

Faculty & Staff Challenge

The area that receives the most NIU faculty and staff gifts will receive an additional $250. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

Young Alumni Challenge

The area given to most by graduates within the past 10 years will receive an additional $250. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Event

Why I Gave Challenge

Share on social media by tagging #HuskiesUnited. Fill in the blanks and explain why you are supporting your chosen school, unit, or program on #HuskiesUnited (e.g., “I’m supporting ____ [mention school/unit/fund] on #HuskiesUnited because _____ [insert reason]. Join me! dog.niu.edu”). Five donors will receive an additional $100 to the area of their choice. Generously donated by the NIU Alumni Association Board.

Where to Give During Huskies United

Alumni & Community NIU Athletics Northern Illinois University Libraries College of Business College of Education College of Engineering & Engineering Technology College of Health and Human Sciences College of Law College of Liberal Arts and Sciences College of Visual & Performing Arts Division of Academic Affairs Division of Academic Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development Scholarships Student & On-Campus Engagement

NIU Foundation