Giving

The Marching Illini Band Fund plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive support for the Marching Illini, ensuring a first-class experience for all its members. From instrument purchases to uniform maintenance, the production of halftime music and drill, and facilitating travel to away games, your contributions impact every aspect of the band's operations. By contributing to the fund, you directly contribute to the vibrancy and excellence of the Marching Illini, fostering a community that thrives on musical passion and performance. Join us in sustaining the legacy of this iconic band and help create lasting memories for its dedicated members.

Join us in building a legacy of leadership and loyalty within the Marching Illini by contributing to the Marching Illini Loyalty Scholarship Endowment. Our goal is to raise $1,000,000 by 2025, paving the way for the establishment of a robust scholarship program that will award 80 deserving seniors with $500 scholarships each.

As we strive to reach this ambitious milestone, your support becomes the catalyst for empowering future leaders within our marching band community. The Marching Illini Loyalty Scholarship will honor and recognize seniors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering loyalty to the band throughout their academic journey.

By contributing to this endowment, you are not only investing in the education and development of talented individuals but also ensuring that the principles of leadership and loyalty remain at the forefront of the Marching Illini tradition. Your generosity will echo through the years, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those who embody the spirit of the Marching Illini.

Together, we can create opportunities for deserving seniors to further their education while recognizing and celebrating their exceptional contributions to the band.

The Gary E. Smith Excellence in Leadership Scholarship is an esteemed tribute to the enduring legacy of Associate Director of Bands Emeritus and former Director of the Marching Illini, Gary Smith. This scholarship, established by devoted Band alumni, serves as a testament to Gary Smith's selfless dedication and unwavering embodiment of the spirit of Illinois Loyaltydiv

Designed to provide crucial support to current students in the Bands program, the scholarship will be awarded to individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership skills, academic excellence, and serve as an inspiration to others on campus. Awardees will be selected by the distinguished Bands faculty, ensuring that the recipients mirror the remarkable qualities that defined Gary E. Smith's influential tenure.

Your contribution to the Gary E. Smith Excellence in Leadership Scholarship not only honors a legendary figure in our Band's history but also plays a pivotal role in fostering the growth and development of future leaders within the Marching Illini. Join us in preserving a legacy of excellence and empowering the next generation of leaders in the Bands program.

The Marching Illini Drumline Scholarship Fund generates financial support specifically designated for members of the Marching Illini Drumline. This fund, sustained by its earnings, is dedicated to providing scholarships for deserving members of the Drumline, with eligibility requiring a commitment of at least two previous seasons with the Marching Illini.

Your contribution to this fund directly contributes to the educational pursuits and musical development of dedicated Drumline members, fostering a culture of excellence and commitment within the Marching Illini. Join us in recognizing and supporting the hard work and talent of these individuals as they contribute to the rhythmic heartbeat of our beloved marching band. Your investment in the Marching Illini Drumline Scholarship Fund makes a significant impact on the lives of these musicians, encouraging their continued dedication to musical excellence within the Marching Illini.

The proceeds from the Marching Illini Drum Major Scholarship Fund play a pivotal role in sustaining an annual scholarship dedicated to recognizing the outstanding contributions of one exceptional drum major within the Marching Illini. The recipient is selected based on a combination of factors, including their years of membership, demonstrated academic excellence while serving in the esteemed position, and their embodiment of the core values and spirit inherent to being a member of the Marching Illini. Your support directly contributes to the cultivation of leadership, academic achievement, and the overall ethos that defines the excellence of the Marching Illini. Join us in fostering a tradition of excellence by contributing to this scholarship fund and investing in the future of the Marching Illini

Ignite the flame of artistic excellence by contributing to the Marching Illini Feature Twirler Scholarship Fund. Your support directly fuels the aspirations of our exceptional feature twirlers, ensuring that their dedication to performance and skill receives the recognition and encouragement it deserves. Join us in shaping the future of the Marching Illini by investing in the Feature Twirler Scholarship Fund. Your generosity not only supports individual artists but also enhances the overall visual spectacle and vibrancy of our performances. Together, let's celebrate and empower these talented performers as they continue to dazzle audiences and embody the spirit of excellence within the Marching Illini.

The Marching Illini Dads Day Fund plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the Dad's Day field show and related activities orchestrated by the Marching Illini. Your support of this fund directly contributes to the vibrancy and success of these special events, allowing us to create unforgettable experiences for both the performers and their proud fathers.

By contributing to the MI Dads Day Fund, you become an integral part of the celebration, enabling us to continue the tradition of crafting dynamic field shows and memorable activities that bring joy to the entire Marching Illini community. Join us in making Dads Day a truly remarkable and cherished occasion for all involved, as we showcase the talent and camaraderie that define the spirit of the Marching Illini. Your generosity helps us maintain these traditions and create lasting memories for our dedicated performers and their families.

The David A. Trotter Endowment Fund is an instrumental initiative driving the continual excellence of the Marching Illini. The fund's earnings are dedicated to crucial aspects of our program, specifically earmarked for equipment and instrument purchases. Your support directly contributes to the enhancement of our musical capabilities, ensuring that the Marching Illini remains at the forefront of innovation and performance. By contributing to the David A. Trotter Endowment Fund, you become an integral part of our legacy, enabling us to acquire state-of-the-art equipment and instruments that elevate the quality of our performances.

The Gregory S. Vasich Memorial Fund is dedicated to the support of crafting a spectacular halftime marching band performance by the Marching Illini in memory of Gregory S. Vasich, a cherished former member of the band who played trombone.

This fund serves as a living tribute to Greg's passion for music and his invaluable contributions to the Marching Illini. By contributing to this fund, you play an integral role in ensuring the continued excellence of our halftime performances, allowing us to honor Greg's memory through the power of music and artistic expression.

Join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Gregory S. Vasich by supporting the Gregory S. Vasich Memorial Fund. Your contribution makes a lasting impact, helping us create poignant and memorable performances that resonate with the spirit and dedication exemplified by Greg during his time with the Marching Illini.

Illinois Bands Gratitude Fund, donors MI alumni Lisa-Ann (Lingner) Barnes and Rob Barnes established to support students with financial hardships to share their gratitude for the support Lisa received as a 1st gen college student at Illinois.

Ward & Mary Wilson Marching Illini Scholarship Fund

The Ward and Mary Wilson Marching Illini Scholarship Fund is committed to providing ongoing scholarship support to ensure those with a passion for music will have the opportunity to be a member of the Marching Illini.  The recipient will be selected based on criteria as follows: being a non-music major, with financial need, and is a member of the trombone section. 

This fund is a living tribute to Ward Wilson, a beloved member of the Marching Illini. Ward was not a music major, but music was his passion. The goal of this fund is to continue Ward’s legacy – to demonstrate the strength of the bonds formed by music and friendship. Ward’s passion and talent is finding its way back to the Marching Illini, where it belongs and where it can continue to inspire others to perform. Please join Ward in helping to share his love of music with others and continue to foster the legacy of the Marching Illini.

Ward & Mary Wilson Marching Illini Travel Support Fund

The Ward and Mary Wilson Marching Illini Travel Support Fund provides members with lifetime opportunities to share their love of the Marching Illini outside the Urbana/Champaign area. Travel costs often limit these opportunities. This fund is part of the living legacy of much-loved Marching Illini trombone section band member, Ward Wilson.

During his time as a member of the Marching Illini, Ward had the opportunity to march in several high-profile parades and games, including the Peach Bowl.  Anyone who knew Ward, knows how he loved to march along with the camaraderie with his fellow band members, making lifelong memories and friends. Join Ward in keeping his legacy alive and giving others the opportunity to experience the joy that Ward experienced.