CHAMPAIGN —The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has announced a $100 million matching pledge from businessman Larry Gies to the business college that carries his name. The pledge along with past donations would make the Illinois alumnus the university’s largest donor.
The university said in a news release Tuesday that Gies has pledged to match the next $100 million in qualifying donations to the college, resulting in a total financial impact of $200 million.
The new pledge is in addition to Gies’ $150 million donation in 2017, when the university named the Gies College of Business after him. Another $100 million gift last year led to the football stadium being renamed Gies Memorial Stadium after Gies’ late father.
“I’ve always believed the greatest impact happens when people come together around a shared purpose,” Gies said in a statement. “Gies Business has an incredible community of alumni and friends who believe in this College and the impact it can make. My hope is that this match not only gives them one more reason to step forward but also enhances the impact of their giving.”
Gies is a 1988 Illinois graduate. He is founder and CEO of Chicago-based Madison Industries, which produces equipment and systems for filtration, healthcare, industrial safety and other related fields.