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

$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.

$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

$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

$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

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.

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

$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

$2,000

School of Art and Design Challenge

A generous donor wants to inspire gifts to the College of Visual and Performing Arts during Huskies United. When 50 gifts are made to any area within the college, a gift of $2,000 will unlock and support the School of Art and Design.

50 Gift Goal

Starts in

$2,000

School of Theatre and Dance Challenge

20 Gift 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.

NIU Foundation