Oct. 10–14 marked the fourth annual We Are Phil giving appeal for University of Iowa faculty and staff, but the push to bolster private support for UI people and programs continues. 

“We are so pleased with how University of Iowa faculty and staff have embraced the annual We Are Phil campaign over the past four years. Not only are more people on campus giving back than ever before, but we are delighted that they are talking with each other about the difference that philanthropy makes at the university. They are gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of private support from the entire UI community—on campus and far beyond,” says Lynette L. Marshall, president and CEO of the UI Foundation. 

“Faculty and staff are our most important partners in fundraising for the University of Iowa. When they also become donors themselves, it sends a powerful message about their investment in our shared missions of teaching, research, and service.” 

Last week, faculty and staff volunteers hosted more than 40 events across campus, where they collected pledges and donations and shared their own stories about philanthropy. Events included board games and trivia contests, field trips to notable campus locations, brunch and lunch gatherings, appearances by Herky, and musical performances. 

An estimated 500+ UI employees donated money to support the university during We Are Phil week this year. Final participation stats will be tallied at the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2017. 

Click the photos above for scenes from last week, and visit the UI Foundation website for more info about the campaign or to make a gift.