CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa has surpassed $100 million in scholarship support through Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI, marking a significant milestone in expanding access and opportunity for students.

This achievement reflects the collective investment of UNI alumni and friends in providing an accessible, high-quality education and enabling students to pursue their personal, professional and life goals. Since 2017, total new scholarship support has reached $103.8 million — nearly one-third of all giving to Our Tomorrow. This includes $69.5 million in outright donations and $34 million in planned gifts. The support to endowed scholarships totals $75.2 million, or 72% of all new funding for scholarships, providing resources in perpetuity to advance student access and success.

“Expanding access to a UNI education strengthens the university and reflects our promise of putting the success of our students first,” said UNI President Mark Nook. “For 150 years, that commitment has guided our work, and scholarships continue to make it possible. Each donation represents a decision to pay it forward — alumni and friends investing in a student they haven’t met, often inspired by the support that shaped their own journeys. This generosity continues to transform lives.”

Because of the Our Tomorrow campaign, nearly one in four UNI students now receives a donor-funded scholarship. More than 500 new scholarship funds have been created, and annual donor-funded scholarship support has grown by 19% since the campaign began, increasing resources available to support students across academic programs. The number of students receiving scholarships annually has grown by 38% throughout the course of the campaign. 

One in four campaign donors has contributed to scholarships, underscoring the value alumni and friends place on student access and success.

“Reaching the $100 million milestone in scholarship support is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when our community comes together in support of students,” said Jim Jermier, vice president for University Advancement and president of the UNI Foundation. “Our Tomorrow represents the largest scholarship fundraising initiative in the university’s history, and this momentum will continue to shape UNI’s future for generations to come.”

The Our Tomorrow campaign continues through June 30, 2026, with goals to advance student access and success, strengthen engaged learning, and expand support for UNI’s faculty and staff, academic programs and iconic campus spaces. To learn more about Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI or to support student scholarships, visit ourtomorrow.uni.edu.

Our Tomorrow Scholarship Giving

• 8,477 total donors
• 35% first-time givers
• 546 new scholarship funds
• Median gift: $150
• Youngest donor: 18
• Oldest donor: 100
• Most giving alumni major (total dollars): BA Teaching
• Most giving alumni class (total gifts): 1975