Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
|
Total |
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Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 9,548,583 | 9,860,686 | 8,702,478 | 6,467,096 | 14,763,497 | 49,342,340 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 9,548,583 | 9,860,686 | 8,702,478 | 6,467,096 | 14,763,497 | 49,342,340 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 49,342,340 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 9,548,583 | 9,860,686 | 8,702,478 | 6,467,096 | 14,763,497 | 49,342,340 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 1,921,071 | 2,503,884 | 2,928,583 | 1,632,755 | 2,185,661 | 11,171,954 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 171,224 | 359,602 | 402,035 | 324,948 | 190,613 | 1,448,422 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 62,931,563 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2020 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2019 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2020: | ||||
| a From 2015....... | ||||
| b From 2016....... | ||||
| c From 2017....... | ||||
| d From 2018....... | ||||
| e From 2019....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2015 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2020 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2020, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2020. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2021. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 2 | IN JUNE OF 2020, THE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZED THE FORMATION OF A SUBSIDIARY RELATED TO TRAVEL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION. THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TRAVEL HAD NO ACTIVITY IN FISCAL YEAR 2021. |
| FORM 990, PART V, LINE 2A | THE FOUNDATION DID NOT COMPENSATE THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED IN PART VII. NIU, AN ORGANIZATION THAT DOES NOT MEET THE RELATED ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORM 990 INSTRUCTIONS, PAYS THE INDIVIDUALS AND ISSUES THEIR W-2S. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 | CYNTHIA CROCKER AND JEFFREY LIESENDAHL PERSONALLY USE THE SERVICES OF SAVANT CAPITAL, FOR WHICH BOARD MEMBER BRENT BRODESKI SERVES AS THE CEO. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE BOARD HAS ADOPTED THE PRACTICE THAT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, THE PRESIDENT/CEO, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND CONTROLLER REVIEW THE FORM 990. THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE THEN PROVIDED A COPY OF THE FORM 990 BEFORE IT IS FILED. IT IS REVIEWED AT THE BOARD MEETING PRIOR TO FILING. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | ALL DIRECTORS, BOARD MEMBERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES ARE GIVEN A COPY THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE REPORT. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST REPORTS ANNUALLY. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ARE SHARED WITH THE BOARD CHAIR AND ALL COMMITTEE CHAIR MEMBERS RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM DISCUSSIONS AND VOTES ON RELATED MATTERS. AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH BOARD MEETING THE BOARD CHAIR CALLS FOR ANY CONFLICTS ON AGENDA ITEMS TO BE DISCLOSED. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ARE SHARED AND THAT BOARD MEMBER RECUSES THEMSELVES FROM DISCUSSIONS AND VOTES ON RELATED MATTERS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE NIU FOUNDATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE NOT COMPENSATED. NIU FOUNDATION ASSIGNED EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PAID DIRECTLY BY THE NIU FOUNDATION. THE NIU FOUNDATION ASSIGNED EMPLOYEES ARE PAID BY THE UNIVERSITY AND THE NIU FOUNDATION REIMBURSES THE UNIVERSITY. NIU MAINTAINS A REGULAR COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR THE FOUNDATION PRESIDENT, WHICH INCLUDES THE USE OF COMPARABLE DATA. IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND PRACTICE, THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION LEVELS FOR THE NIU FOUNDATION PRESIDENT AND CEO TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE FOUNDATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART VII, LINE 1A | THE FOUNDATION AND UNIVERSITY DO NOT MEET THE DEFINITION OF RELATED ORGANIZATIONS AS DEFINED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE FORM 990. THE UNIVERSITY PAYS THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED IN PART VII. DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP, THE FOUNDATION CHOOSES TO REPORT THE RELATIONSHIP. |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINES 5 AND 7 | THE FOUNDATION DID NOT COMPENSATE INDIVIDUALS. NIU, AN ORGANIZATION THAT DOES NOT MEET THE RELATED ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORM 990 INSTRUCTIONS, PAYS THE INDIVIDUALS. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE SALARIES OF THE INDIVIDUALS ARE SHOWN AS OTHER FEES FOR SERVICES. |
| PART IX; STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSE | NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY PROVIDES IN-KIND SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH ARE REFLECTED IN THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BUT ARE NOT RECOGNIZED FOR TAX REPORTING PURPOSES. THESE AMOUNTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES BUT ARE BROKEN OUT AS PROGRAM $789,911, MANAGEMENT $772,794 AND FUNDRAISING $1,976,540. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,539,245 IS INCLUDED AS A RECONCILING ITEM ON SCHEDULE D. |
| PART III LINE 4A NARRATIVE CONTINUATION | WHO WE ARE AT THE NIU FOUNDATION, WE PURSUE EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOMES FOR OUR DONORS, OUR UNIVERSITY, AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. THE NIU FOUNDATION IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY THAT ENGAGES FRIENDS AND ALUMNI AND SECURES AND MANAGES GIFTS IN SUPPORT OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY. IN JULY OF 2020, THE NIU FOUNDATION AND NIU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MERGED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE NIU FOUNDATION, A STRATEGIC MOVE THAT HAS STRENGTHENED THEIR LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP. THIS MERGER MAKES THE NIU FOUNDATION OF TODAY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT AS WELL AS FUNDRAISING. CREATING LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR HARDWORKING, DEDICATED STUDENTS AND FACULTY IS THE NIU FOUNDATION'S HIGHEST PRIORITY. EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF ALUMNI AND DONORS JOIN US IN THIS ENDEAVOR. CONNECTING OUR ALUMNI NIU HAS A FIERCELY PROUD ALUMNI BASE OF WELL OVER 240,000 HUSKIES. THEY BOAST ACCOMPLISHED CAREERS IN A DIVERSE ARRAY OF PROFESSIONS AND PRIMARILY RESIDE IN THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS REGION. THESE GRADUATES CREATE DYNAMIC PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND PROVIDE ECONOMIC VITALITY TO THE REGION AND STATE. ALUMNI ALSO REPRESENT A VAST PIPELINE OF SUPPORT FOR THE UNIVERSITY. IN FY21, THE NIU FOUNDATION HOSTED MORE THAN 65 VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENT EVENTS SUCH AS MEETINGS WITH NIU PRESIDENT LISA FREEMAN AND ALUMNI PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON A RANGE OF RELEVANT TOPICS. THESE EVENTS ALLOWED US TO CONNECT WITH ALUMNI IN RECORD NUMBERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. IN FACT, A TOTAL OF 3,289 ALUMNI ATTENDED EVENTS IN FY21, 1,495 OF WHOM WERE FIRST-TIME EVENT ATTENDEES. FUNDING THE FUTURE THE NIU FOUNDATION WORKS TO FIND THE INTERSECTION OF DONORS' PHILANTHROPIC GOALS AND THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY. THE NIU FOUNDATION MEASURES THE PRODUCTIVITY OF ITS FUNDRAISING EFFORTS ACROSS ALL AREAS OF THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH "NEW GIFTS AND COMMITMENTS," WHICH INCLUDES GIFTS OF CASH, GIFTS-IN-KIND, PLEDGES, UNREALIZED BEQUESTS, AND OTHER PLANNED GIFT COMMITMENTS. IN FY21, DONORS PROVIDED $15.4 MILLION IN NEW GIFTS AND COMMITMENTS. THIS NUMBER INCLUDES DONATIONS MADE THROUGH TWO HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL VIRTUAL GIVING CAMPAIGNS, HUSKIES UNITED AND THOUSANDS STRONG, WHICH BROUGHT IN $1,025,452 AND $2,007,235 RESPECTIVELY. SCHOLARSHIPS: THE PATH FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT FROM THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, NIU WAS AMONG A SELECT GROUP OF THE NATION'S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES CITED FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PRODUCING IMPORTANT RESEARCH WHILE ALSO ENHANCING THE SOCIAL MOBILITY OF ITS STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS: THE TWO MOST CELEBRATED PURPOSES OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. IN FACT, NIU RECEIVED THE HIGHEST RANK OF ALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. NIU TAKES PRIDE IN PROVIDING AN ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO TALENTED STUDENTS FROM UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. IF FACT, MORE THAN HALF OF NIU STUDENTS ARE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COLLEGE, ONE IN FOUR STUDENTS ARE FROM AN UNDERREPRESENTED GROUP, AND 86% RELY ON SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL AID. WHILE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING IN ILLINOIS, HAVE SEEN DECLINING ENROLLMENT RATES FOR BLACK STUDENTS, NIU RECORDED ITS SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR OF INCREASED AFRICAN AMERICAN ENROLLMENT IN THE FALL 2021 FRESHMAN CLASS. IN FACT, 37.6% OF ENTERING FRESHMEN WERE BLACK (UP 3% POINTS OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR), THE HIGHEST THAT FIGURE HAS BEEN IN UNIVERSITY HISTORY. ASIAN STUDENT ENROLLMENT WAS AT 4%, WHILE HISPANIC ENROLLMENT ACCOUNTED FOR 21% OF THE INCOMING CLASS. NIU IS WORKING TOWARD A GOAL OF BECOMING A DESIGNATED HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION (HSI) WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. SCHOLARSHIPS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAKING THE DREAM OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION A REALITY FOR MANY OF THESE STUDENTS. THIS SUPPORT HAS ALSO PROVEN KEY TO PERSISTENCE, HELPING STUDENTS CROSS THE FINISH LINE TO BECOME PROUD HUSKIE ALUMNI. IN FACT, 9 OUT OF 10 STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE NIU FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS GRADUATE. THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN WORKING TOWARD A GOAL OF RAISING $50M IN SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT BY THE END OF 2023. AT CLOSE OF FY21, WE WERE ABOUT HALFWAY TO THAT GOAL, HAVING RAISED $23,901,789. $6.4M OF THOSE DONATIONS WERE MADE IN FY21. IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE NIU FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $27M IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO DESERVING STUDENTS. IN FY21 NIU FOUNDATION PROVIDED $2,789,634 TO STUDENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND AID. FACULTY WHO TEACH AND DO NIU'S NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY ARE DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THEIR ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES AND ADDRESSING REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS. EXAMPLES OF CURRENT PROJECTS INCLUDE: - BUILDING A SYSTEM TO CONVERT CARBON DIOXIDE WASTE INTO FUEL - CREATING A NOVEL PEDIATRIC HEARING AID - ADVANCING LONG-RANGE SEVERE WEATHER FORECASTS - DEVELOPING A SPANISH-LANGUAGE MOBILE APP TO TREAT DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY - ASSISTING IN THE RECOVERY OF AN ENDANGERED TURTLE SPECIES - STUDYING THE COMBINED USE OF ROBOTS AND VIRTUAL REALITY IN CHILDREN'S LEARNING IN ADDITION, DOZENS OF NIU FACULTY HAVE PIVOTED ASPECTS OF THEIR RESEARCH TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC INCLUDING TESTING WASTEWATER TO BETTER MEASURE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 THROUGHOUT THE AREA AS WELL AS NEW LESS-INVASIVE TESTING METHODS. SUCH PROJECTS PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH ALONGSIDE FACULTY WHO ARE LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE A HALLMARK OF THE UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE AT NIU. FROM THE MOMENT THEY STEP ON CAMPUS, STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM TO THEIR OWN FACULTY GUIDED RESEARCH OR ARTISTRY PROJECT. WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEIR FACULTY MENTORS, STUDENTS PRESENT AT CONFERENCES, WIN AWARDS FOR THEIR RESEARCH, AND HAVE ATTRACTED MEDIA ATTENTION WITH THEIR FINDINGS. PRIVATE DONATIONS HELP MAKE THESE EXPERIENCES POSSIBLE BY SUPPORTING INITIATIVES SUCH AS RESEARCH ROOKIES, A PROGRAM THAT LINKS FIRST-YEAR AND SOPHOMORE STUDENTS WITH FACULTY MENTORS IN THEIR AREAS OF INTEREST TO CONDUCT SMALL SCALE RESEARCH PROJECTS. EVIDENCE STRONGLY INDICATES THAT STUDENT RESEARCH PARTICIPATION INCREASES RETENTION AND BOLSTERS JOB AND GRADUATE SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES. IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, UNDERGRADUATES WORKING WITH FACULTY MENTORS HAVE EXHIBITED ROUGHLY 2,000 RESEARCH AND ARTISTRY PROJECTS. IN FY2021 $3,056,198 WAS SUPPLIED TO SUPPORT CAMPUS DEPARTMENT AND PROGRAMS AND PROFESSORSHIPS. CAPITAL PROJECTS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, NIU DONORS HAVE LITERALLY CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE OF THE UNIVERSITY BY PROVIDING STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES THAT SIMPLY WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT PRIVATE SUPPORT. CAMPUS LANDMARKS SUCH AS BARSEMA HALL, THE BARSEMA ALUMNI AND VISITORS CENTER, THE YORDON CENTER, AND THE KENNETH AND ELLEN CHESSICK PRACTICE FACILITY WERE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF DONORS. IN AUGUST OF 2021, THE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF THE DE LA VEGA INNOVATION LAB IN THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. THIS 3,000-SQUARE-FOOT DONOR-FUNDED COLLABORATION HUB WILL FOSTER CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGHOUT THE NIU COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. IN FY21 520,870 WAS SPENT ON BUILDING PROJECTS AND EQUIPMENT TO ENHANCE THE LEARNING AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT. |
| PART III LINE 4A NARRATIVE CONTINUATION | INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE THE NIU FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT PROVIDES A STRATEGIC BASE OF FUNDING TO SUSTAIN EXCELLENCE AT NIU. AS OF JUNE 30, 2021, THE NIU FOUNDATION HELD NET ASSETS OF $157.4 MILLION, $99.3 MILLION OF WHICH WERE ENDOWMENT. THE NIU FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND IS OVERSEEN BY MEMBERS OF THE NIU FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ALL OF WHOM ARE GENEROUS DONORS THEMSELVES. THE BOARD'S INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CONDUCTS A THOROUGH PROCESS TO SELECT AND ENGAGE INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT CONSULTANT TO SET AND EXECUTE INVESTMENT POLICY AIMED TO ATTAIN THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE TOTAL RATE OF RETURN, COMMENSURATE WITH AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF RISK; PROVIDE GROWTH OF THE MARKET VALUE OF THE ENDOWMENT'S PRINCIPAL TO PROTECT AGAINST INFLATION; AND GENERATE CASH FLOW TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER PRIORITIES. ANOTHER IMPORTANT INVESTMENT MADE BY THE NIU FOUNDATION IS IN THE CREATION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE LIFE OF OUR WORK. THE NIU FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AN ACTIVE, VOTING MEMBER FROM THE STUDENT BODY WHOSE INPUT IS HIGHLY SOUGHT AND VALUED AND DOZENS OF STUDENTS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE AS EMPLOYEES OF OUR ANNUAL FUND CALL CENTER. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION SPONSORS A STUDENT MANAGED PORTFOLIO PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR NATIONALLY RANKED COLLEGE OF BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES STUDENT ANALYSTS REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE IN INVESTMENT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. STUDENTS MEET WEEKLY TO MANAGE A PORTION OF THE NIU FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO. THEIR RESULTS ARE OUTSTANDING AS EVIDENCED IN THEIR YEAR-OVER-YEAR PERFORMANCE IN THE CFA INDUSTRY CHALLENGE, AN INTENSE SIX-MONTH COMPETITION THAT INVOLVES STUDENTS FROM THOUSANDS OF UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE WORLD AND A MULTITUDE OF INDUSTRY EXPERTS. THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT A UNIVERSITY WITH THE ENERGY AND MOMENTUM OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY REQUIRES AN EVER-INCREASING LEVEL OF SUPPORT. IN ANTICIPATION OF THESE NEEDS, THE NIU FOUNDATION IS CURRENTLY PLANNING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT POSITIVE ENERGY, AND LIFE-CHANGING MOMENTUM CONTINUE FOR GENERATIONS OF HARDWORKING, DEDICATED HUSKIES. |
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