As alumni, you may have benefited from family scholarships, corporate scholarships or fellowships when you were students; others simply want to ensure that the LER experience remains affordable and accessible to future candidates.
We understand that the motivation for giving is varied and personal. We will work with you to ensure that your giving priorities are recognized and matched to meet the most pressing needs of the School. Learn more about the various opportunities for giving below:
The LER Annual Fund
The LER Annual Fund is the School’s unrestricted fund that supports a variety of initiatives. With your support, LER will continue to distinguish ourselves as a premier labor and employment relations program. Gifts to LER Annual Fund bolster student scholarships, allow LER to recruit top students to the program, and bring countless speakers to share their real-world experiences with current students.
LER Student Emergency Fund
Established during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic by LER staff, faculty and alumni, this fund provides financial support to current LER students who are in need of emergency financial support to assist with costs arising due to crises situations or unforeseen circumstances.
Student Scholarships
Scholarship support is welcome at all levels of giving – annual cash gifts, multi-year pledges, or major gifts. Last year, the School awarded 42 student scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to a full tuition coverage with stipend. Our scholarships range from LER’s general scholarship funds, personal/family endowments and corporate scholarships, driven by our corporate partners.
LER Scholars
The LER Scholars scholarship endowment is a “Dean Awarded” scholarship for students based on merit. Alumni gifts keep supporting the endowment, increasing the award each year.
Spirit of LER
The Spirit of LER scholarship endowment is another general scholarship that is awarded to LER students who act as program ambassadors, involvement with social groups and activities, and is a resource for other students. This endowment continues to grow.
Endowed Scholarships
An endowed scholarship at the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations is backed by a commitment of at least $25,000, established through contributions over a period of up to 5 years, through an estate gift, or through a combination of these approaches. The endowment principal is held in perpetuity, with income distributed to the student on a yearly basis. Corporate matching may be allowed to apply to the balance. To learn more please contact Cory Hatfield at coryhat@illinois.edu or (217) 300-2056.
Planned Giving
Many alumni are interested in directing future support to the School of Labor and Employment Relations. Examples of planned gifts include assets given through bequest or testamentary trust, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, charitable gift annuity, retained life estate, life insurance policy (non-term), or retirement account (IRA, 401(k), 403(b), etc.). Planned gifts can be established to support a wide variety of funds, including office namings, scholarships, professorships and other priorities, but celebrated in advance. Learn more or contact Cory Hatfield and/or the University of Illinois Foundation if you would like to further discuss planned giving.
Other Types of Gifts
To give the School of Labor and Employment Relations a gift of publicly traded stocks or mutual funds via electronic transfer, please contact the University of Illinois Foundation Cash Receipts Department for delivery instructions at cashdesk@uif.uillinois.edu or (217) 244-0352. In eligible tax years, individuals age 70½ or over can exclude up to $100,000 from gross income for donations paid directly to a qualified charity, like the University of Illinois Foundation, from their IRA.
If you would like to explore the opportunity of establishing your own scholarship, endowment or other gift to the School of Labor and Employment Relations, please contact Cory Hatfield at coryhat@illinois.edu or (217) 300-2056.
