The University of Illinois Foundation Celebrates New Philanthropy Center with Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Champaign, Ill. - The University of Illinois Foundation held a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on June 26, 2024, to celebrate its new headquarters, the University of Illinois Philanthropy Center. Located near the corner of St. Mary's Road and Fourth Street in Champaign, just east of the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center, the 60,000-square-foot Philanthropy Center includes three levels of modern, flexible space that is designed to foster collaboration and community, honor and celebrate the generosity and impact of donors, and provide a welcoming space for hosting visitors.

"We are excited to be in a space specifically designed for the 21st-century workforce, one that celebrates the university's rich history of philanthropy and supports our vision of innovative philanthropic work," said Jim Moore, University of Illinois Foundation President/CEO. "The Philanthropy Center marks the beginning of a new era of enhanced service and support that will enable the Foundation to create impact for our universities in the most efficient and forward-thinking manners."

The Philanthropy Center was designed by Perkins Eastman and built by Berglund Construction. Project Management Advisors (PMA) provided consulting services. Construction began in July 2022 and UIF officially took occupancy in February 2024. The dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held in the Jane Phillips Donaldson Family Atrium and included remarks from UIF leaders and Board members.

Other building features include a three-story welcome atrium, a grab-and-go café, a library, a wellness studio, an innovation studio, and a third-floor indoor/outdoor space with a terrace that overlooks the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. In addition to being the headquarters for the University of Illinois Foundation, the facility will also serve as a learning hub for the entire University of Illinois advancement community with space for peer-to-peer collaboration, training, and professional development.

The building is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) GOLD certified and is in the process of achieving WELL PLATINUM certification. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is the world's most widely used green building rating system and is an international symbol of excellence. WELL is the premier building standard focusing on employees' health and wellness through the building where they work. The Philanthropy Center will be the first new construction on the University of Illinois campus to receive WELL certification.

"It has been a pleasure to work with UIF to develop a transformative vision for the future of the Foundation. This building provides tailored spaces that incorporate the latest in workplace and healthy, sustainable design," said Jerry Walleck, Principal in Charge, Perkins Eastman. "We are very proud to be part of this innovative LEED Gold-certified project. Congratulations!"

"Together, with our valued partners, we have created a collaborative, engaging, inclusive and resilient destination to support advancement and relationship building across these universities," stated Scott Giba, Vice President of Education and Commercial for Berglund Construction. "To see this vision come to fruition and this space serve the Uni­ver­si­ty of Illinois Foundation as it was intended to, is such a gratifying moment."

Funding to build the University of Illinois Philanthropy Center came from UIF reserves, borrowing and fundraising. No state funding was used for the project.

To learn more about the building visit uif.uillinois.edu/philanthropycenter.