Giving
University-Wide Support
The Northern Fund
Support NIU’s Greatest Needs
Some needs can’t be predicted, and by giving to the Northern Fund, you empower NIU to invest your gift where it will make the greatest, most immediate difference for students and the university.
Across campus, gifts to the Northern Fund help pay for financial aid awards, student research, summer stipends, library resources and so much more. Every gift adds up to create an NIU experience unlike any other. And it’s all made possible by you!
The Northern Fund Impact
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$6 million
In flexible support
In 2025-26, over 20,000 alumni, parents, students and friends added more than $6 million in flexible support!
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Scholarships
of gifts directed to student scholarship support
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Student Experience
of gifts supporting learning environments and programs
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Faculty and Research
of gifts backing faculty positions and research grants
FAQs
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The NIU Foundation makes it easy by offering a variety of ways to give. Direct your philanthropy through our secure giving site or learn about other ways to give, including stock transfers and bank drafts.
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Yes! Your gift to the Northern Fund can be applied to one or more areas of the university. Simply indicate how the gift should be allocated when you visit the giving page.
Colleges, Units, and Other Areas
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
- College of Health and Human Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- Athletics
- Founders Memorial Library
- Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development
- Student Affairs
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Many companies and foundations will match the value of charitable gifts made by employees and their spouses, board members and retirees. To find out if a particular company or foundation has a matching gift program, check the matching gift database.
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Yes! Consistent giving provides the foundation for deans, faculty and staff to make bold plans and undertake new challenges
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You can set up your gift to be automatically charged to your credit card on a monthly, quarterly or annual schedule for as long as you would like. Simply select the recurring gift option on the giving site or through mail or phone. Setting up a recurring gift ensures your support and reduces the annual solicitations you receive.
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A multiyear pledge can help you keep track of your giving, cut down on annual solicitations and ensure that you continue to support the Northern Fund every fiscal year. To learn more, submit your information below and a Foundation
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Gifts to restricted funds, such as a research fund or scholarship endowments.
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All NIU supporters take seriously the university’s mission to provide institutional excellence, and some donors decide to make Northern a special priority in their philanthropy. The NIU Foundation has established a number of impact gift societies to recognize NIU’s most loyal and consistent philanthropists.
More Ways to Give
Choose the way of giving that fits you best — a gift today, a recurring commitment, a gift through your estate, or a match from your employer.