1857 Society
The 1857 Society recognizes and engages the University's most generous donors whose cumulative, life-time giving and commitments have reached at least $50,000.
Qualifications
Donors become a part of the 1857 Society when their cumulative outright gifts, pledges, matching gifts, and/or gift-in-kind total reaches at least $50,000. Donors may achieve philanthropic milestones within the society including:
- Benefactor: $50,000-$249,999
- Guardian: $250,000-$999,999
- Ambassador: $1,000,000-$4,999,999
- Visionary: $5,000,000
Courtesies
- Advance information of select campus news, including messages from the President
- Opportunities to interact with Illinois State leaders, scholars, and students
- Invitation to premier special events including an exclusive induction event as you join the Society or reach philanthropic milestones
- Donor names appear on the 1857 Society recognition wall in the Bone Student Center
- Donors who reach the Ambassador or Visionary milestone will receive personal impact celebrations
The Impact of Gifts
Inaugural philanthropy awards presented at Gratitude Gala
At its inaugural Gratitude Gala for donors in the 1857 Society, Illinois State University presented three awards to recognize donors’ outstanding philanthropic achievement.