What to Support

Planned giving is an opportunity for you to plan now to provide North Central to have with financial resources for years and decades into the future. Gifts that are designated as Greatest Needs would be used to address unanticipated needs, support students in their scholarship, travel or other requirements; strengthen critical priorities; or allow North Central to Dream Bigger.

By indicating the College's Greatest Need in your estate plans, you give the leadership of the college more opportunities to plan for the future with greater flexibility, and direct funds where they are most necessary. When you look back at the history of North Central, little did we anticipate in 1861 that the technology needs in the 21^st century would be so vast. Nor did the founders of the College dream that the number of faculty would grow to 150, and that we would have nearly 150 majors. Where will the College be in 50, 60 or 100 years from now? There will always be a greatest need at any school, but with resources available through thoughtful planned giving, North Central will be in position to pivot, reflect and act upon pressing issues, new discoveries and, most importantly, the needs of our students.

Just as no two college students are exactly alike, there is no one way to shape your planned gift. Learn how you can support undergraduate and graduate education - including establishing student scholarships, supporting undergraduate research, and faculty and academic programs, or funding co-curricular experiences. Through a series of engaging, inspiring and vigorous courses, our students embrace the ideology that they will make an impact within their chosen field. From beginning their studies at the undergraduate level, to experiencing an internship to earning advanced degrees, our graduates become leaders and influencers in their chosen fields, and are ready to enter or accelerate their careers at an advanced level.

North Central students are charged with one mantra: Exceed Your Personal Best. By providing outstanding courses taught by talented and inspirational faculty, the College offers a unique college experience for undergraduate students, and a challenging, career-accelerating curriculum for our graduate students. Your support of programs, scholarships, faculty support, travel opportunities, internships – the list goes on! – our students have every reason to Dream Bigger.

In 2017 it was noted that acquiring Shimer College "adds a distinctive and differentiating academic offering to the North Central campus and provides a location where the Shimer model of education can flourish." The Shimer Great Books School continues the traditions of pursuing wisdom, finding guidance and gaining perspective at their college home.

Shimerians have supported their students for decades. By remembering Shimer Great Books School in your will or other planned giving tools, the wonderful conversations will continue. The Montaigne Scholarship, faculty support and honoring members of the Shimer community are all options to consider for your philanthropy.

The importance of the College's Chaplaincy efforts cannot be overstated. The Chaplaincy and Office of Faith in Action are designed to reach ALL students and members of the campus community, regardless of their faith tradition.

North Central's faith-based programs profoundly impact the lives of our students, and alumni continue to attest that their involvement in leadership, service, study and worship were formative during their years on campus. New endowments are being created to support the Chaplaincy and programs and ensure that faith-filled leaders and students continue to weave their values into the fabric of North Central. To learn more or to support the Chaplaincy and Faith in Action endowments, click here. Contact Mike Moser '70 by calling 262.949.6475 or email.

Endowed Scholarships and Faculty Chairs rest at the heart of what we're all about: student success. Financial support makes it possible to welcome dedicated and inspired scholars to North Central College, regardless of their ability to pay. Endowed chairs - also known as faculty chairs - are crucial to attracting and retaining these remarkable mentors. Generous alumni, friends and other benefactors of the College fund these chairs.

Generations of alumni have benefited from scholarships given by those who came before them. Currently, 98 percent of North Central students receive scholarships or grants from the College. A gift of $50,000 will endow a scholarship in your name, or honor someone dear to you, and it will last in perpetuity.

Our professors are among the most dedicated and talented teacher-scholars in the nation. Endowed chairs are crucial to attracting and retaining these remarkable mentors. As permanently funded titles, professorships support the teaching, research and service of outstanding faculty members by funding a portion of their compensation or their department's programming. For more information on endowing a scholarship, chair or special program fund, please contact Maria Caselli '01 M'08, Director of the North Central College Fund & Scholarship Liaison [email protected].

Our students are encouraged to challenge themselves every day, to impact tomorrow. Through 22 sports and 30 national championships, intramural sports, cheerleading, dance and band, North Central has a long history of inspiring students to exceed their personal best. By supporting every student athlete, every coach, and every program, you support countless of students who are team players, and champions.

The athletics program is successful due to alumni, parents and friends of the College. From supporting our outstanding facilities, to the needs of our teams' on an annual basis, the Cardinal Community understand the importance of team spirit, diversity, physical and mental health and role models. Pick your sport or activity and you will make a difference to Cardinal athletics. To discuss your priorities in supporting your Cardinal teams, email Jared Bogan, Senior Associate Director of Development for Athletic Giving or call him at 630.637.5267.

Becoming an informed citizen leader is core to North Central's mission. We all remember experiencing a great deal of our college education outside of the classroom - from club activities, volunteering, tutoring and participating in experiential learning, Student Life grounds our students and inspires them to be their best. Through North Central's various Centers and Institutes, students have the opportunity to learn from and participate with noted faculty and experts on the importance of global learning; understanding financial decisions; exploring career and further education opportunities, and embracing their health, wellness and spiritual nature.

Our campus resources - among them Career Development, Center for Student Success, Office of Faith in Action, Dyson Wellness Center, and Cardinal First - all provide our students with a grounded, more secure and informed sense of who they are. The Center for Financial Literacy helps our students more fully understand and manage their personal finances.

North Central is blessed with a beautiful campus and Old Main continues to be our anchor, leading our students north to Oesterle Library and Koten Chapel; and south to the Science Centers, classrooms, and fine arts venues. We are home to some of the best facilities for schools our size, and over the course of the past decade we have greatly enhanced our campus. The addition of the Wentz Science Center, the Wentz Health Sciences & Engineering building, a new home to Shimer Great Books School, and a new parking pavilion, as well as updates to our athletic and recreational facilities, was critical to our recruiting outstanding students and exceptional instructors. Indoors and out, our students, faculty and staff enjoy well-equipped, state-of-the-art facilities from which they teach, learn and compete. We're even a certified Arboretum!

We will always invest in our students, our faculty and our facilities. We're proud of our facilities and are always planning on their improvement and enhancement, and considering what is best for our entire Cardinal community. Your investment in the past has paved the way for a brilliant future; your investment in that future ensures generations of students will continue to have the facilities that enable their future.