Supporters of Southern Illinois University Carbondale contributed a record-breaking $54 million during Fiscal Year 2026, a 40% increase over the previous year and the most successful fundraising year in SIU Foundation history.

The historic total supports scholarships, research, academic programs, capital projects and student success initiatives across the university. It also reflects growing momentum for the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has reached $470 million in commitments toward its $500 million goal. With two years remaining, the campaign has achieved more than 93% of its target and remains one of the largest fundraising efforts in Illinois public university history.

The SIU Foundation awarded a record $6.9 million in scholarships during FY26, an increase of $1.3 million over the previous year. The scholarships supported more than 2,200 students, benefiting nearly 19% of the student body.

“Our donors continue to transform Southern Illinois University through their generosity and belief in our mission,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “This record-breaking year reflects the incredible momentum across campus and the commitment of alumni, friends and partners who invest in student success, innovation and the future of SIU.”

The Foundation’s endowment reached a record $262.3 million, growing by more than $43 million during the fiscal year and providing long-term support for scholarships, faculty excellence, research and academic programs.

Tedrick Welcome Center opens its doors

The defining moment of FY26 came on May 1 when more than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Tedrick Welcome Center.

The 44,000-square-foot facility serves as the new home of the SIU Foundation and Southern Illinois University’s front porch to campus. The center was funded entirely through the SIU Foundation through a combination of fundraising, including a $6 million leadership gift from Roger and Sally Tedrick, Foundation reserves and borrowing. No taxpayer dollars, tuition revenue, student fees or state funds were used in its construction.

Within weeks of opening, the Tedrick Welcome Center demonstrated its role as a hub for campus visits, alumni and donor engagement, special events and community gatherings by:

• Welcoming hundreds of prospective students and family members during New Student Orientation sessions.
• Hosting the relaunch of the Southern Illinois Leaders Breakfast, presented by Southern Illinois Now, which brought together more than 150 business and community leaders representing 85 organizations from all 17 counties of Southern Illinois.
• Welcoming the opening Patriotic Pops Concert of the 22nd Annual Southern Illinois Music Festival, where more than 200 guests celebrated “America at 250” through music by John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Aaron Copland and John Williams.

The Tedrick Welcome Center stands as one of the most visible examples of the Foundation’s commitment to advancing Southern Illinois University through philanthropy while creating new opportunities for engagement, collaboration and community connection.

Investments strengthen campus and student experiences

Philanthropy continued to drive transformational opportunities across Southern Illinois University during FY26, including:

• The dedication of the Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising, honoring Suhler’s generosity and marking the first time in SIU history that a school has been named for a woman.
• A $2.25 million estate gift from alumnus Roy D. Franke to support the Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising. One of the largest private contributions in the school’s history, the gift will sustain hands-on learning experiences for future journalists, advertisers and media professionals.
• A $2.1 million gift from alumnus Harvey N. Michaels and his wife, Collie, to establish the Harvey N. Michaels Center for Academic Success and Engagement in the College of Business and Analytics. The gift, which includes a matching contribution from the Deloitte Foundation, will create a centralized hub in Rehn Hall focused on academic support, career preparation and student wellness.
• The opening of the SIU Credit Union Trailhead at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, made possible through a $500,000 gift from SIU Credit Union. The first new construction at Touch of Nature in decades, the trailhead supports expanded outdoor education, recreation and community engagement.
• Groundbreaking for the Wildlife Habitat Education Center at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, made possible through a $3 million gift from SIU alumnus Chuck Trover. The new facility will serve as a hub for environmental education, year-round programming and hands-on learning for students and visitors.
• The opening of the England Student Center Lounge, a student-driven project made possible through a $250,000 gift from alumni Bob and Pat England. The renovated space provides students with a modern environment to study, collaborate and build community.
• Renovations to the Jim Hayes Stadium Club at Saluki Stadium, installation of the new Campus Lake Fountain and construction of the Mike Hanes Marching Salukis Band Tower.
• Able Flight merged with SIU’s nationally recognized aviation program, strengthening the university’s leadership in accessible flight training and creating new opportunities for aspiring pilots with disabilities.

Together, these investments demonstrate the confidence donors have in SIU’s future and the lasting impact philanthropy continues to have on students, faculty and the broader university community.

Salukis connect across the country

The SIU Foundation expanded alumni engagement and student recruitment efforts through a record-setting Saluki Takeover Tour that visited communities across the nation.

Throughout FY26, university leaders traveled to Indianapolis, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Texas, Memphis, Florida, St. Louis, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois. The tour connected thousands of alumni, prospective students, donors and community leaders through Chancellor’s Receptions, networking events and school visits.

The Southern Illinois leg of the tour alone included 55 school visits and five Chancellor’s Receptions, strengthening relationships throughout the region while showcasing the university’s momentum and impact.

Signature events celebrate philanthropy and leadership

Several annual events reached new milestones during FY26, including:

• 4th Annual Saluki Women’s Weekend: More than 275 alumnae, students, faculty, staff and community members celebrated women’s leadership through networking, mentorship, professional development and philanthropy.
• 12th Annual Scholarship Dinner: Donors and scholarship recipients came together to celebrate the life-changing impact of philanthropy while recognizing the students whose educational journeys have been made possible through Foundation scholarships.
• 25th anniversary of the Saluki Student Investment Fund: Established through a $25,000 gift from alumni Omar and Carol Winter in 2000, the nationally recognized program now manages more than $4 million in assets on behalf of the SIU Foundation while providing students with hands-on investment experience.
• Inaugural Voices of Impact: The sold-out luncheon welcomed 200 alumni, students, faculty and community members during Black History Month to honor seven distinguished Black alumni whose leadership, service and philanthropy have made a lasting impact.

Sharing stories of impact

FY26 marked a new era in the SIU Foundation’s communications and storytelling efforts.

The Foundation launched The Impact Report, becoming the only university foundation in the nation to produce and air its own television program. The series debuted on WSIU before expanding to WSIL-TV 3, bringing stories of student success, groundbreaking research, philanthropy and innovation to audiences throughout the region.

The Foundation also experienced record growth across its social media platforms and expanded its video storytelling efforts, helping connect alumni, donors and friends with the people and programs their generosity supports.

National recognition affirms SIU’s momentum

During FY26, SIU Carbondale continued to build on its distinction as one of only 21 universities nationwide to earn dual recognition from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as both a Research 1 university and an Opportunity University.

The designation recognizes institutions that achieve the highest levels of research activity while creating meaningful opportunities for student success and upward mobility.

“Many institutions can say they conduct top-level research, and many schools can say they offer affordability and a great return on investment,” said Chancellor Austin A. Lane. “These designations from Carnegie show very few – less than 1% in fact – can say both. At Southern, we can.”

Looking ahead

As FY26 concluded, the SIU Foundation entered the final stretch of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign with unprecedented momentum. Record fundraising, record scholarship support, a growing endowment and transformational campus investments have positioned the university for continued success.

“Every achievement this year traces back to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our alumni and friends,” Kupec said. “Together, we are creating opportunities for students, strengthening Southern Illinois University and building a foundation for the future.”

To learn more or make a gift, visit siuf.org.