Unit: Donor and Information Services

Redbirds rallied to set a record of 4,452 gifts during the seventh annual Birds Give Back

Reggie Redbird helped make magic happen at the Birds Give Back Command Center where Redbird staff and volunteers were calling alumni to encourage participation on February 27, 2025.

Illinois State University’s seventh annual Birds Give Back on February 27, 2025, had an impressive turnout with a record setting 4,452 gifts from the Redbird community during the 24-hour giving day. 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 others the opportunity to support the Redbird causes they care about most.

Introducing Forever Redbirds

Battle Bird statue at Redbird Plaza.

Illinois State University’s recognition societies are a way to acknowledge and celebrate Illinois State donors, who are an essential part of the University community. The newest recognition society, Forever Redbirds, expands these honors to a new group of Redbird donors, who give consecutively.

Donors’ pledge advances indoor practice facility

Rendering of the new indoor practice facility with soccer players on the field

An indoor practice facility for all Redbird teams was approved by the Board of Trustees in December. A month later, a $3 million gift commitment that allows construction of the $11.5 million project to go forward was received.

Video: A family of giving

Julie and Keith Smith

Julie ’89, M.S. ’92, and Keith Smith ’97 have established the Karen Griffith Parker Scholarship in the Mennonite College of Nursing in honor of Julie’s mother, Karen Griffith Parker.