To further the ULI mission of world-changing impact, and in celebration of our 50th anniversary, the ULI Foundation announced an exciting evolution of the Governors Program. These newly created philanthropic societies—named in tribute to ULI pioneers and significant figures in the global real estate and land use professions—recognize and honor the many supporters whose generous philanthropy strengthens ULI’s research– and mission-focused vision and leadership in support of our global communities.
In the face of rapid and widespread changes in demographics, populations, economic drivers, technology, and the natural environment, the ULI mission has never been more compelling or relevant. Leadership giving enables the Institute to pursue broad aspirational goals that make a visible difference in our global communities. Annual giving ensures the strength and sustainability of ULI’s varied programs with flexible resources to support the Institute’s greatest needs each year. And planned giving is an investment in ULI’s impact on our future cities.
Recognizing those individuals who generously support ULI with gifts of $25,000 and above, the Foundation announced the establishment of the following leadership giving societies.
- The Marcus Vitruvius Society ($5 million) honors the author of the centuries-old De Architectura, whose legacy gave the industry the Vitruvian Triad, which dictates that the elements of the built environment should have longevity, serve a human need, and be beautiful.
- The socially conscious developer and recipient of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom who is acknowledged with the James Rouse Society ($2 million) sought to rehabilitate existing assets in cities rather than demolish them.
- The Charles Fraser Society ($1 million) recognizes the man whose environmentally conscious, thoughtfully planned, and energy-efficient real estate development vision transformed Hilton Head from a sparsely populated barrier island to the ninth-largest city in South Carolina.
- The U.S. senator, Harvard professor, presidential adviser, U.S. ambassador, and United Nations representative after whom the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Society ($500,000) is named was a community visionary and advocate.
- The Julia Morgan Society ($250,000) honors this prolific and pioneering architect who designed nearly 800 public and private projects in California and Hawaii alone.
- The Governors Society ($100,000) is named in collective honor of the original 17 ULI Foundation Governors who demonstrated their commitment to the Institute’s future with significant gifts to establish the ULI Foundation and its permanent source of unrestricted funding to support ULI’s research- and mission-driven programs.
- The Daniel Burnham Society ($50,000) recognizes the 19th-century urban planner and Chicago architect whose innovative and visionary techniques opened the door to cities as we know them.
- The Frederick Law Olmsted Society ($25,000) is named in honor of the landscape architect and conservationist whose passion for thoughtfully planned public spaces improved cities and communities across the United States.
Recognizing those individuals whose annual gifts provide much-needed unrestricted funding to support mission-driven programs across ULI, the Foundation announced the establishment of the following annual giving societies.
- The Trammell Crow Society ($10,000) recognizes this Dallas-based real estate developer who inspired a generation of developers who have left their mark on the landscape of every city in America.
- The Walter Schmidt Society ($5,000), named for ULI’s first president, honors the man whose vision for high-quality urban planning laid the groundwork for the Institute’s transformative work in building thriving communities around the globe.
- Named in collective honor of the 15 individuals who have served as ULI Foundation Chairman since our founding in 1970, the Chairman’s Circle ($1,000) serves as the entry point for those who wish to increase their engagement with ULI through expanded philanthropic support.
Recognizing those individuals who have made written commitments to support the future of ULI through a variety of charitable estate and planned giving instruments, the Foundation announced the establishment of the James J. Curtis Society, named in honor of the leadership and legacy of past ULI Foundation Chairman Jim Curtis. Said Curtis, “Each of you, in your own way, strengthens ULI’s impact with a gift of time, talent, and treasure to the Foundation.”
Planned gifts may include wills, living trusts, and bequests; life income gifts, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust; and appreciated assets, such as securities or real estate.
Many who care deeply about building strong, economically viable, and healthy communities—communities whose positive evolution improves the lives of millions on a truly global scale—have supported the Foundation in our first 50 years. The generosity and commitment of ULI members and friends will increase our ability to reach even farther in our next 50 years of world-changing impact.
Learn more about the ULI Foundation’s philanthropic societies here.