Huskies. Never. Quit.
But sometimes they need a little help.
Providing NIU students that helping hand is the goal of the NIU Foundation’s Huskies United. The fundraising event will begin at 4:25 p.m. on June 24 and will run for 1,895 minutes, a nod to the university’s founding year. The campaign will focus on raising support for the university’s strategic funding priorities including emergency student funds, diversity, equity and inclusion, scholarships, and research, artistry and innovation.
“In the wake of COVID-19, we have seen a tremendous outpouring of support from the Huskie community,” shares Michael Adzovic, director of the Northern Fund. “It’s been overwhelming to see such care and concern for our students. That initial response from our faculty, staff, alumni, and friends was our inspiration to hold Huskies United.”
Much of that support has come through donations to NIU’s Student Emergency Fund. Since the fund was announced in March, nearly $150,000 has been raised to assist NIU students with emergency needs.
In addition to the Student Emergency Fund, Huskies United will focus on three other strategic priorities for NIU—the Huskies United Fund, student scholarships, and diversity, equity and inclusion. The Huskies United Fund provides financial resources for educational excellence, innovation, research, and artistry. Student scholarships ensure that students have the opportunity to attend, advance at, and graduate from NIU. Diversity, equity and inclusion provides many engaging educational experiences to work towards an inclusive campus where everyone respects the value and dignity of all its members.
“All four funding opportunities allow the Huskie family to unite and help move NIU forward,” shares Adzovic. “We’ve already had so many faculty, staff, alumni, and friends step forward to show their support during this time, and we know more will come together during Huskies United to show our students just how much they care.”
There are several ways the NIU campus community can get involved in Huskies United:
- Social Media Ambassador. Social media ambassadors share messages and create excitement about Huskies United before and during the campaign. You can sign up to be a Social Media Ambassador online.
- Donate Your Parking Refund. All campus parking refund donations made in June will count in the Huskies United totals.
- Payroll Deduction. NIU employees can create a payroll deduction gift online and have it count in the Huskies United totals.
- Give Online June 24-25. Visit the Huskies United website starting at 4:25 PM on June 24 to make your gift online.
If you have any questions about Huskies United, please email the Northern Fund office at NorthernFund@niu.edu.
