The impact made by a Redbird donor is felt by the entire campus community. But for those who leave an estate gift, their gift is a promise for the future of the University.
Those donors belong to the Heritage Society, a giving society that recognizes and engages donors who have designated Illinois State University as a beneficiary through a planned or deferred gift commitment. A gift of this sort not only showcases a dedication to bettering the University, but it also displays donors’ commitment to leaving a legacy at Illinois State. Through their deferred gifts, such donors continue to cultivate an enriching and engaging learning environment for future generations of Redbird students.
Heritage Society donor Linda Dodder ’66, M.S. ’74, left her estate to the University to form the Build Your Future Fund. This fund, established in 2022, provides unrestricted financial support to Illinois State students, and with the rising costs of higher education, funds from estate gifts like this are essential to boosting student retention rates. In the fall of 2023, Illinois State welcomed the largest freshman class in 36 years with over 4,000 freshmen students entering the student body.
Gifts from estates can also support a wide variety of causes and populations across campus. Whether a donor has an area or topic they are passionate about—or one they would like to see expand—estate gifts ensure that this sector of the University will be provided for in the future.
A member of the Illinois State University Foundation Board of Directors, Ed Manley ’79, M.S. ’83, studied special education at Illinois State, following in the footsteps of his grandmothers who attended ISNU before him. However, the Manley family legacy did not stop there. Ed was soon followed by his niece, who went on to attend Illinois State, and she certainly won’t be the last in the family to do so.
“I am sure there will be more teachers in the family in generations to come. I wanted to celebrate that with a gift,” said Manley. “I am grateful for the experiences and skills that have gotten me to this point in my life where I can give back.”
When deciding what area or department to give back to, Manley knew he wanted to give back to the causes that are near and dear to his heart: LGBTQIA+ issues and scholarships on campus.
“The estate gift allows me to use my money now and grow the money during my lifetime, and then ISU gets to use it after I am gone,” said Manley. “I realized it was important to designate the money to issues that are important to me.”
It is through both his acts of giving and service, as a member of the Foundation Board, that Manley hopes to make an impact and leave his legacy at Illinois State.
“My hope is that I can leave ISU in a better position to develop young minds to do great things in the future,” said Manley.
Manley’s family has been connected to the University since the early 1900s. His estate gift ensures that the family connection will live on and be felt by future students for years to come. Estate gifts from Heritage Society donors are a promise fulfilled posthumously for a cause donors believe in: the future of Illinois State University.
For more information about documenting an estate gift, visit Giveto.IllinoisState.edu, email PlannedGiving@llinoisState.edu, or call (309) 438-2294.
