Illinois State University’s seventh annual Birds Give Back on February 27, 2025, had an impressive turnout with over 4,000 gifts given during the 24-hour giving day—including gifts from alumni, students, parents, employees, and friends.
Jillian Nelson, senior managing director for Annual Giving, highlighted the outstanding support from the Redbird community during Birds Give Back.
“The generosity of the Redbird community was on display. We received a record-setting 4,452 gifts,” Nelson said. “Our goal with giving day is always participation over dollars. Donors make a gift to cast their vote of confidence in the Redbird experience and support their favorite causes. The message was clear that Redbirds are committed to the success of our students.”
In all, Redbirds raised over $1.9 million in challenges, pledges, and gifts—which included a recent 960,000 gift commitment for student scholarship from an anonymous Redbird with a special challenge to all Redbirds to make 4,000 gifts during Birds Give Back.
“This challenge gift was an amazing way for our Redbird donor to encourage others to give at the level that is meaningful for them. This donor is committed to the notion that all of us can be transformational philanthropists during Birds Give Back,” Nelson said.
Departments across campus championed causes for their students
Birds Give Back gives faculty and students a chance to feature causes within their college or department that have priority fundraising needs, while giving alumni and the Redbird community the opportunity to support the areas on campus they care about most.
The Department of Economics earned a top spot on the Biggest Boost Leaderboards with 102 gifts received to the department, a significant increase over last year. Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaou, chair of the Department of Economics, featured the department’s General Fund and also pushed for computer lab upgrades.
“We have been working closely this year with an amazing group of alums who are dedicated to the success of the Department of Economics,” said Nikolaou. “They have spent several hours advocating for the importance of economics, providing feedback on curricular matters, and reaching out to the industry to secure internship and career opportunities for our students. The BGB campaign was a great opportunity to unite our alums around a common purpose, reconnect them with their classmates, and strengthen the sense of community between them and the department. Also, it doesn’t harm that, as economists, we like a little competition; the excitement and the motivation to participate in the BGB campaign was getting higher the more the department was rising to the top of the leaderboards.”
“Given the current economic environment, now more than ever, the world needs skilled economists to navigate complex challenges and drive positive change. The funds raised will allow the department to continue offering scholarships to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to invest in their journey toward an economics degree. Our students will benefit from professional development opportunities, such as professional conferences, workshops and networking events, and field trips to companies and organizations to gain hands-on experience on how their economics training translates into solving real-life economics issues, which are crucial for their professional growth. We will also use part of the contributions to educate middle and high school students about the importance of economics through summer boot camps. With support from our donors, we are committed to educating the next generation of successful economists who will make a lasting difference,” added Nikolaou.
Likewise, the Department of Psychology also earned a top spot with an increase in the number of gifts supporting their featured cause, the Psychological Services Center (PSC), which serves students and families throughout Central Illinois.
“Graduate clinicians at the PSC provide mental health and academic services to children and families in Central Illinois and to ISU students. Efforts like Birds Give Back and our recent Hatch campaign help to ensure that we can keep our fees low and affordable, as the same services in the community are often costly and not accessible to all who need them,” said Dr. Brea Banks, licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor in the Department of Psychology.
To see all of the featured projects across campus for Birds Give Back, visit the Birds Give Back website and explore causes.
The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts also hosted a Birds Give Back Cup-of-Care station to engage students in philanthropy on giving day. Cup-of-Care stations on campus emphasized the collective impact of giving $5. For a gift of any size, students could enjoy a hot cocoa and coffee bar, cookies, and be entered to win prizes. Over 220 students participated with a gift on Birds Give Back.
Class of 2023 topped the BOLD Leaderboard
Another highlight for giving day was to see the participation from BOLD (Birds of the Last Decade), alumni having graduated recently between 2014-2014. Over 430 BOLD alumni made a gift during Birds Give Back, the newest Redbird tradition to be named by the University. The Class of 2023 topped the leaderboard with 59 gifts—the highest number of donors by class year specifically for the last decade of Redbirds.
Amber Scarbeary ’18 ’20, president of the BOLD alumni network, encourages other Birds of the last decade to participate in Birds Give Back philanthropy.
“It’s about building a legacy of generosity and ensuring that others have the same, or better opportunities to succeed.”
Amber Scarbeary ’18 ’20, president of the BOLD alumni network
“Giving back as a Redbird is important because it fosters a sense of community and pride among Illinois State University students and alumni. It strengthens connections between current students, graduates, creating a supportive network that can lead to mentorship, career opportunities, and lifelong friendships. Additionally, contributing time, resources, and knowledge helps sustain University programs, scholarships, and initiatives that enhance the educational experience for future Redbirds. It’s about building a legacy of generosity and ensuring that others have the same, or better opportunities to succeed,” said Scarbeary.
To view all of the challenges and leaderboards or explore the featured Redbird causes, visit BirdsGiveBack.IllinoisState.edu.
Save the date for next year’s Birds Give Back: February 26, 2026.
If you missed participating or giving on Birds Give Back and would like to make a contribution, you may give at Giving.IllinoisState.edu or call the Office of Annual Giving at (309-438-4483.
