UNI’s Our Tomorrow campaign raises record $342.8 million

More than 34,000 donors supported the people, programs and places central to UNI

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Since 2018 when the University of Northern Iowa quietly launched Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI, more than 34,000 donors committed $342,842,222 to expand opportunities for students, strengthen programs and build lasting support for UNI's future.

"Throughout my time at UNI, I have been continually inspired by the Panther Family's commitment to our students' success. A total of 34,031 alumni, employees and friends demonstrated that commitment by choosing to invest in UNI's future, making the Our Tomorrow campaign the most successful fundraising campaign in UNI history," said UNI President Mark Nook.

The median gift to the campaign was $100. Among the 147,912 gifts were 58 of $1 million or more and 65,077 under $100. Donors came from all 50 states and 17 countries, and 47% made their first gift to UNI during the campaign. Together, their contributions strengthened every part of the university.

UNI announced the final results Friday, Oct. 9 during its Homecoming Bash. The campaign concluded June 30, 2026, following eight years of fundraising. Publicly launched in October 2022 with a $250 million goal, Our Tomorrow surpassed that target before increasing the goal to $300 million in January 2024. Ultimately, the campaign exceeded its original goal by more than $92 million.

Opening doors for students

Students were at the heart of Our Tomorrow, with $108 million committed to scholarships and 556 new scholarship funds created. Nearly one in four UNI students now receives a donor-funded scholarship, up from approximately one in six before the campaign. Seventy-two percent of scholarship giving was endowed, creating support that will continue benefiting students for generations.

For Marcelo Acosta, a 2026 Wilson College of Business graduate from Des Moines, that support made attending UNI possible. A first-generation college student, Acosta was the inaugural recipient of the Rick and Lisa Noel Scholarship, established to support incoming students who face financial barriers and have overcome adversity.

"I can't thank the Noels, along with all the donors and alumni, enough for believing in me and making my dream a reality," Acosta said.

Campaign donors also provided more than $7 million in new support for internships, clinical experiences, career preparation and other hands-on learning opportunities, along with $2.1 million for undergraduate research. These investments help students apply what they learned in the classroom and prepare for their careers.

Fueling innovation across the university

Our Tomorrow supported more than 70 programs and units across UNI. Approximately one-third of all campaign contributions - $113 million - support academic programs, including $41 million directed to faculty. Investments fueled innovation in nursing, engineering, teacher education, business, the arts, sciences and humanities.

That support helped launch UNI's accredited nursing program, providing scholarships, specialized equipment and clinical learning tools. Donors also expanded hands-on engineering education and strengthened classroom technology and learning experiences for future teachers, helping UNI respond to Iowa's evolving workforce needs.

The campaign included the largest gift in the university's history: a $25 million commitment from David and Holly Wilson that established UNI's first named college, the Wilson College of Business. The gift supports scholarships, innovation and ethics education, with additional support for faculty and interdisciplinary collaboration.

More than $74 million supported Panther Athletics, reaching every athletics program through investments in scholarships, team funds, and competition and training facilities. That total included $18 million for student-athlete scholarships.

Renewing the places that bring Panthers together

Campaign donors committed $50 million to campus facilities and capital projects, including renovation and expansion of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, revitalization of the Campanile and its surrounding plaza, and major improvements to the UNI-Dome. These investments preserve traditions while improving the experiences of students, alumni and the Cedar Valley community.

Building lasting strength for UNI's future

Beyond meeting immediate needs, Our Tomorrow created permanent resources for the university. Donors established 375 new endowed funds and committed $159 million to endowed support through gifts, pledges and planned gifts. During the campaign, UNI's endowment grew from $113 million to $267 million.

"Our donors have helped UNI meet the needs of students today while building resources that will support generations to come," said Jim Jermier, vice president for university advancement and president of the UNI Foundation. "At the beginning of this campaign, we asked, 'What does the world need from us tomorrow?' Our alumni and friends answered with a belief in our students and investments that will shape the future of UNI."

As UNI celebrates its 150th anniversary, the conclusion of Our Tomorrow marks a defining chapter in the university's history - honoring the generations who built UNI while creating new opportunities for those who will shape its future.

"Every member of the Panther Family can take great pride in knowing the impact of this campaign on students and the university will continue far beyond 2026," Nook said.

Learn more about the campaign's impact at ourtomorrow.uni.edu.