Leaving a legacy: What endowments mean for donors and the university

–By Maria Rojas At FIU, we often say creating an endowment lets donors leave a legacy. But what does that really mean for a donor and for FIU?  An endowment is a safety net for FIU’s future, a way to ensure the impact of a contribution endures.   When donors initiate an endowment, their principal gift, a contribution of money or other financial assets, is invested. Though it may not start supporting university efforts for a few years (usually four to […]

Looking at the Next Horizon so far

Less than two years ago, FIU held a celebration to commemorate the public launch of the Next Horizon campaign. More than 1,200 alumni, students, faculty, donors and members of the community attended a showcase of FIU’s research, community programs and student success. That day has truly proven to be a launching point, based on the campaign’s trajectory since.  By the end of November […]

Foundation responds to immediate needs of FIU, the community during pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and FIU announced its shift to remote learning and work in March, leaders of the FIU Foundation knew the university’s Next Horizon capital campaign would need to be placed on pause to address a more immediate need: Students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community were suffering, and the Foundation […]

Philanthropy in times of crisis: Howard Lipman explains why philanthropy is needed now more than ever

Before his current role as CEO of the FIU Foundation and previous executive positions in university advancement, Howard Lipman served as the President and CEO of the Greater Miami and The Keys Chapter of the American Red Cross. In that position, he was tasked – among other things – with fundraising for disaster relief. This experience has provided him with a unique lens to view […]

FIU think tank provides research, resources during pandemic

Dr. Maria Ilcheva, Assistant Director of Planning and Operations
–By Maria Rojas FIU’s Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center is leveraging its expertise as South Florida’s leading, urban think tank to help local governments and organizations understand the scope of the pandemic’s effect on at-risk communities. The center’s work is advancing the conversation about who is lacking resources, what can be done about it and […]

University and donors drive PPE initiative to assist health care workers and frontline responders

To help alleviate the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers and other frontline personnel during the coronavirus pandemic, Florida International University (FIU) has produced more than 6,000 reusable face shields on 3D printers. The College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts; the College of Engineering & Computing; the College of Arts, […]

An interview with FIU’s Equity Action Initiative committee

Equity Action Initiative Proposal
With the movement arising throughout the nation calling for an end to racial injustice and inequality, in June FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg announced the creation of a new university advisory group, the Equity Action Initiative, to review and recommend initiatives to address issue of inclusion and equity, particularly as they concern FIU. He named […]

Training the next generation of physicians: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

The Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at FIU is empowering those who have heard the call of duty to become the next generation of community-minded doctors through state-of-the-art training and an education that emphasizes diversity and compassion. 

Portrait of a Dreamer: Cesia Bulnes ’19

In 2019, Cesia Bulnes graduated from FIU’s College of Engineering & Computing and Honors College as a Worlds Ahead Graduate. During her studies, she received a full-tuition scholarship from TheDream.US, a partner of FIU that is dedicated to supporting students who are Dreamers. She now works for Microsoft.

Rebuilding the engine: Philanthropy for the next generation

–By Nina Rose  Alberto García Marrero was out of gas.   It was spring 2019, his second-to-last semester at FIU, just a handful of credits away from earning his bachelor’s in international business. Marrero’s FIU tuition was paid for by scholarships, but he helped his parents out financially and could barely cover his living expenses.   Marrero was running out of money, and student loans might be his only solution. He was at the gas […]