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 | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 9,860,686 | 8,702,478 | 6,467,096 | 14,763,497 | 19,050,901 | 58,844,658 |
| 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 | 9,860,686 | 8,702,478 | 6,467,096 | 14,763,497 | 19,050,901 | 58,844,658 |
| 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) .. | 10,536 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 58,834,122 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 9,860,686 | 8,702,478 | 6,467,096 | 14,763,497 | 19,050,901 | 58,844,658 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 2,503,884 | 2,928,583 | 2,637,932 | 2,185,661 | 3,063,825 | 13,319,885 |
| 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.).. | 359,602 | 402,035 | 324,948 | 190,613 | 234,824 | 1,512,022 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 74,645,412 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (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) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (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 on 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 2021 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-2021 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2021 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2021 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2021 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2021: | ||||
| a From 2016....... | ||||
| b From 2017....... | ||||
| c From 2018....... | ||||
| d From 2019....... | ||||
| e From 2020....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2021 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2016 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2021 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2021 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2021, 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 2021. 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 2022. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| 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 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 $895,905, MANAGEMENT $877,294 AND FUNDRAISING $1,920,369. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,693,568 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. 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 MORE THAN 250,000 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 FY22, THE NIU FOUNDATION HOSTED MORE THAN 100 ENGAGEMENT EVENTS ALLOWING ALUMNI AND DONORS TO CONNECT WITH NIU, EACH OTHER, AND THE STUDENTS WHO BENEFIT FROM THEIR SUPPORT. THESE EVENTS ALSO PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET WITH NIU PRESIDENT LISA C. FREEMAN AND OTHER KEY UNIVERSITY LEADERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY'S VISION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION. MORE THAN 2,100 PEOPLE ATTENDED THESE EVENTS IN FY22, 340 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 FOUNDATION MEASURES THE PRODUCTIVITY OF ITS FUNDRAISING EFFORTS ACROSS ALL AREAS OF THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH "NEW GIFTS AND COMMITMENTS," WHICH INCLUDE GIFTS OF CASH, GIFTS-IN-KIND, PLEDGES, UNREALIZED BEQUESTS, AND OTHER PLANNED GIFT COMMITMENTS. IN FY22, DONORS PROVIDED $23.3M 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 $1.1M AND $1.98M RESPECTIVELY. SCHOLARSHIPS: THE PATH FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY ACCORDING TO A 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. IN FALL OF 2022, NIU SAW ITS NEW FRESHMAN ENROLLMENT CLIMB BY NEARLY 7% OVER THE SAME TIME LAST YEARTHE SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR OF INCREASES IN THE SIZE OF THE FRESHMAN CLASS. THIS HAS BEEN THE LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS SINCE 2014. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRESHMAN HUSKIES ARRIVED WITH AN IMPRESSIVE AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL GPA OF 3.42, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AVERAGE FOR NEW FRESHMEN ON RECORD. LOOKING AT OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FALL 2022 CLASS, NIU CONTINUES TO HAVE SUCCESS RECRUITING STUDENTS OF COLOR, WITH INCREASES IN THE PERCENTAGES OF ASIAN AND LATINX STUDENTS, AND STRONG REPRESENTATION AMONG BLACK STUDENTS. THE NEW FRESHMAN CLASS IS THE MOST DIVERSE IN UNIVERSITY HISTORY. THE UNIVERSITY IS WORKING TOWARD A GOAL OF BECOMING A DESIGNATED HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION (HSI) WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. NIU TAKES PRIDE IN PROVIDING AN ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO STUDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. IN FACT, MORE THAN HALF OF NIU STUDENTS ARE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COLLEGE, THREE IN FOUR STUDENTS ARE FROM AN UNDERREPRESENTED GROUP, AND 86% RELY ON SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL AID. SCHOLARSHIPS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAKING A COLLEGE EDUCATION A REALITY FOR MANY OF THESE STUDENTS. THIS SUPPORT HAS ALSO PROVEN KEY TO PERSISTENCE, HELPING STUDENTS BECOME PROUD HUSKIE ALUMNI. IN FACT, NINE 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 FY22, WE HAD RAISED $37.2M TOWARD THAT GOAL. IN FY22, THE NIU FOUNDATION PROVIDED $2,755,944 TO STUDENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND AID. COMMITTED TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION NIU IS COMMITTED TO DOING THE WORK NECESSARY TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES AND FOSTER A MORE INCLUSIVE CAMPUS CULTURE WHERE EVERY HUSKIE FEELS VALUED AND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE. NIU HAS TAKEN MANY STEPS TO STRENGTHEN ITS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, EFFORTS THAT HAVE EARNED THE UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THESE AREAS. NIU WAS AMONG A SELECT GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING THE HIGHER EDUCATION EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY (HEED) AWARD FROM INSIGHT INTO DIVERSITY MAGAZINE THE OLDEST AND LARGEST DIVERSITY-FOCUSED PUBLICATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION. IN ADDITION, THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (AAC&U) HAS SELECTED NIU TO HOST A TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING, AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) CENTER. NIU IS ONE OF ONLY 49 SUCH CENTERS NATIONWIDE. NIU AGAIN EARNED NATIONAL RECOGNITION WHEN ITS CENTER FOR BLACK STUDIES WAS NAMED CULTURAL CENTER OF THE YEAR BY THE ASSOCIATION OF BLACK CULTURAL CENTERS (ABCC). FACULTY WHO TEACH AND DO NIU'S NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY ARE DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THEIR ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES, WORKING BEYOND TRADITIONAL BOUNDARIES, AND CREATING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX SOCIETAL PROBLEMS. ADVANCING TRANSDISCIPLINARY SCHOLARSHIP IS ESSENTIAL TO PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A CENTURY OF CHANGE. THE UNIVERSITY'S PLAN FOR THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS NICCS, IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE. NICCS ADDRESSES THE CHALLENGES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, SHIFTING DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIOPOLITICAL INEQUITY IMPACTING OUR REGION AND THE WORLD, AND CONNECTS RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABILITY IN FOOD SYSTEMS, WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATION WHILE ALSO PROMOTING SCIENCE-BASED POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR COMMUNITIES NICCS IS A HUB IN THE ILLINOIS INNOVATION NETWORK. THE NETWORK CONNECTS ILLINOIS PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AND SUPPORTS COLLABORATION TO DRIVE INCLUSIVE INNOVATION, EQUITABLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGHOUT OUR STATE. NIU FACULTY ARE ALSO CONDUCTING CUTTING-EDGE, TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN RELATIVELY NEW FIELDS SUCH AS URBAN-REGIONAL MODELING, DISASTER ATTRIBUTION, CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE, PRAIRIE RESTORATION AND FOREVER CHEMICALS. MOREOVER, WE ARE FORGING TIES BETWEEN UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES, WITH PROJECTS UNDERWAY BETWEEN NIU AND THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY, THE DEKALB COUNTY COMMUNITY GARDENS, THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY. THESE AND MYRIAD OTHER 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 LIKE 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 FY22, THE NIU FOUNDATION SUPPLIED $5,325,420 TO SUPPORT CAMPUS DEPARTMENTS, 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 FY22 OVER $269,374 WAS SPENT ON BUILDING PROJECTS AND EQUIPMENT TO ENHANCE THE LEARNING AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT AT NIU. |
| 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, 2022, THE NIU FOUNDATION HELD NET ASSETS OF $155.5M, $89.7M 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 AN INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT CONSULTANT AND 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 TWO ACTIVE, VOTING MEMBERS FROM THE STUDENT BODY WHOSE INPUT IS HIGHLY SOUGHT AND VALUED, AND DOZENS OF STUDENTS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE FOUNDATION'S VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS FROM ALUMNI RELATIONS, ACCOUNTING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DONOR RELATIONS. 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. STUDENTS PROVIDE PRESENTATIONS TO THE NIU FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXPERIENCES THAT ARE PIVOTAL TO THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT. EMPLOYERS REPORT THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE PREPARED TO WORK QUICKLY IN THE REAL WORLD AND HIGHLY VALUED. THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT A UNIVERSITY WITH THE ENERGY AND MOMENTUM OF NIU 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. THE ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF NIU DONORS AND ALUMNI ARE ALWAYS INVALUABLE, BUT EVEN MORE SO AS THE NIU FOUNDATION NEARS LAUNCHING NIU'S MOST ASPIRATIONAL MULTIYEAR COMPREHENSIVE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN. THROUGH A UNITED EFFORT AND A VISIONARY PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND SOCIETY'S CHALLENGES WILL BE ENHANCED AND ENERGIZED DUE TO THE CONTINUED GENEROSITY OF OUR ALUMNI AND DONORS. |
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