We Are Phil is the University of Iowa’s faculty and staff giving program that launched in fall 2013. It highlights the transformative power of philanthropy—“Phil”—at Iowa and asks faculty and

Now in its second year, We Are Phil is holding its annual appeal this week, October 13 through October 17 on the UI campus including the College of Engineering.

A contribution package is being sent, via central mail, to all regular UI employees who are employed half-time or more, and more than 100 volunteers will host events within their colleges or departments—to raise awareness about the impact of private support, to encourage colleagues to make a gift, and to build a sense of community and have fun.

In We Are Phil’s first year, participation by faculty and staff—the number of UI employees who made a gift of any amount to support any area of the university—rose by 26 percent from the year before. More than 3,000 faculty and staff members took part by making a gift during the last fiscal year (July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014), with their contributions amounting to more than $4.5 million to support UI programs, projects, and people.