Many well-intentioned individuals and groups have contacted us with concepts to raise funds generally directed to support NIU or those affected by the incident of February 14.
Without extraordinary direct involvement, interactions, and impractical negotiations regarding diverse forms of proposals in a period of scarce resources, NIU simply cannot vouch for the charitable intent, or how the donated proceeds will ultimately be accounted for or used. Accordingly, NIU will decline endorsement or support of any of these requests.
Restated, NIU will not authorize any individual or organization to use its name, logo, or trademarks to conduct any fundraising on its behalf. NIU will not authorize any use of its name, logo or licensed properties in relation to any merchandise or activity related to the February 14 incident.
The only official NIU fund established in the wake of the tragedy is the February 14 Student Scholarship Fund, established though our official fundraising partner, the NIU Foundation. This Fund will direct dollars collected to the university’s general scholarship fund and deserving students will be selected by the university scholarship committee to receive scholarships in honor of the students slain on February 14.
The NIU Foundation is grateful to accept donations from groups that have conducted their own fundraising efforts. However, neither NIU nor the NIU Foundation will enter into any partnerships or co-sponsorships with these independent fundraising efforts. We will not allow external groups to use the university name or logo or otherwise give the impression that the university is endorsing them. While it is not our intention to steer donors away from private fundraising efforts, it is appropriate to inform donors how they can best support the university at the present time -- and that is through the February 14 Student Scholarship Fund.
For questions about this Notice, please contact the Office of the Vice President for University Advancement at 815-753-6065.