About

Photo of the IGB building.

Giving

Shaping the Future of Science and Society

The Institute for Genomic Biology has been forging new paths in scientific research for nearly a decade. In the past few years alone, our scientists have sequenced the cattle genome and fine-tuned climate change models, discovered altruistic behaviors in honeybees and developed sustainable fuel technologies. And throughout these groundbreaking discoveries, the IGB has continued to place a premium on intellectual curiosity and student experience, believing that superb facilities and faculty enable not only cutting-edge research, but also the world-class education that is a hallmark of the University of Illinois.

Maintaining this commitment to excellence in life-sciences education and research isn't easy. Constant innovation means constant renovation of facilities and technologies. The state helps us cover basic education costs, but a large number of our research programs are supported solely through private funding. To stay on the cutting edge of science, the IGB needs your help.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTRIBUTION

You can support the IGB in two ways: with a current gift, or an endowment. Also known as outright gifts, current gifts provide immediate financial assistance to the IGB. Endowments, on the other hand, are a self-renewing resource that the University holds in perpetuity. These gifts are invested, and it's the earnings from these investments that support the IGB directly.

Both outright and endowed gifts can be donated for a specific purpose-perhaps to a research project that interests you, or a goal that you find particularly important-or given without restriction and to help the IGB meet pressing needs that may change over time.

Specific gifts allow you to decide exactly how your contribution will be used. You could ask that your gift be used for broad areas or specific projects, such as:

  • Research: Your contribution can support IGB research in general, or a specific Program Area or Research Theme. For more information on our research, click here.

  • Faculty: Focusing your contribution on faculty enables the IGB to enhance our support for faculty salaries, research projects, and other academic expenses.

  • Students: Our undergraduate and graduate students are making advances alongside their faculty mentors. Fellowships that partially cover tuition or research allow us to attract the best students to Illinois and continue our mission of providing a world-class education to tomorrow's leaders.

With unrestricted gifts, we decide how to apply your contribution. Research priorities and needs do evolve quickly, and unrestricted gifts permit us to optimize our funds by putting them towards the projects that need them most. Your unrestricted contribution can be spread across a wide range of programs, maximizing the impact of your support.

 

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

There are many ways to donate to the IGB. Please do not hesitate to contact Melissa McKillip, Director of Development, if you have any questions about how to contribute.

Online
You can donate at any time online.

Mail
You can mail checks or money orders to this address:

Institute for Genomic Biology
Attn: Office of Development
1206 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801

For the security of your gift, please do not send cash. Gifts by check or money order should be payable to the University of Illinois Foundation.

Telephone
To make your contribution over the phone, please contact Melissa McKillip, director of development, at (217) 333-4619.

Matching Gifts
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs that supplement their employees’ charitable donations. Please check with your employer’s giving policy to see if your contribution is eligible.

The Walk of Life
The Walk of Life honors our contributors through personalized pavers in the shape of a DNA double helix. For more information on how to order your paver, please look at our Walk of Life page.

Planned Gifts
If you are interested in making your contribution in the form of bequest or charitable trust, please contact the University of Illinois Foundation Office of Gift Planning and Trust Services at (217) 244-0473, or visit www.uif.uillinois.edu for more information.

Securities
Securities such as stocks or bonds may be used to make a gift to the IGB. The amount of the deduction is normally based on the asset’s current market value, rather than the donor’s actual cost of acquisition. The method for transferring securities depends on how the securities are held. Please contact the University of Illinois Foundation at (217) 333-0810 for further information.

 

LEWIN LECTURE TO HONOR IGB FOUNDING DIRECTOR 

The IGB is proud to honor Harris Lewin with its first named endowment. “The Harris A. Lewin Pioneer in Genomic Biology Distinguished Lecture” will recognize the lecture of a world-renowned scientist in the Pioneers in Genomic Biology lecture series. Through his foresight and determination, Dr. Lewin spearheaded the effort at the University of Illinois to create an interdisciplinary campus institute to advance life science research and stimulate economic growth. Learn more here.

 

THE WALK OF LIFE

The double helix – the classically beautiful twisting ladder that forms the shape of DNA - is beautifully depicted within the landscape of the IGB.

Located to the west of the IGB building, adjacent to the historic Morrow Plots, the Walk of Life pays tribute to the historical discoveries that enable our work on the cutting edge of genomic research. Contributing to the Walk of Life is a unique opportunity to simultaneously support our mission and become a permanent part of IGB history.

Walk of Life pavers are the perfect way to commemorate anniversaries or special events, or to honor a loved one's special achievements. 

Walk of Life pavers are available for a $2,500 or $1,200 contribution to the Institute for Genomic Biology.

The 12” x 24” pavers are $2,500 and are available in two colors: grey or red.  The 12” x 12” pavers are $1,200 and are available in white or pink.

The pavers are customizable with up to four lines of engraved text.

Deadline to be included in the Spring 2011 installation by graduation is Thursday, March 31.

Your investment in the IGB will serve as a lasting connection to the University of Illinois for years to come.

Visit the Walk of Life page, e-mail Melissa McKillip at mmckilli@illinois.edu, or call (217) 333-4619 for more information.