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Donor Testimonies
Why I Give
Philanthropic gifts support every area of ULI, from existing programs to enhanced initiatives and future centers that enable the Institute to fulfill its promise to the cities of the world. Contributions not only sustain these programs — they provide them with the financial resources and industry expertise needed to make a difference in communities worldwide. As Jim Curtis, past chair of the ULI Foundation and namesake of the James J. Curtis Society said:
“ULI’s impact is real. ULI’s impact is far-reaching. And ULI’s impact is transforming millions of lives around the world. ULI’s impact is your impact.”
Your generosity makes ULI’s transformative work possible.
Please note that your contact information will only be used to follow up with you about the potential use of your story in ULIF communication efforts. By submitting your story, you give consent for it to be used, reproduced, published, displayed, and distributed in whole or in part.
“What ULI is doing and trying to do is critically important to individuals and families and the world. We impact everything--the economy, the environment--and we can accomplish something huge, more than just giving a dollar somewhere. If you give money to ULI, you’re going to get incredible leverage.”
Jeff Stack, Former ULI Foundation Board member, past ULI Foundation ChairmanSRG Partners, Founding Partner
Charles Fraser Society, James J. Curtis Society
“A dollar to ULI has the greatest impact on the greatest number of people in the greatest number of places. It does more good than money I can give elsewhere. We can change cities across the globe.”
Tom Toomey, Former ULI Foundation Board member, past ULI Global ChairmanUDR Inc., Chairman and CEO
Marcus Vitruvius Society, James J. Curtis Society
“[ULI is] an amazing organization that has provided me with very important mentors—and it’s fun now to be in a position to be able to give back.”
Lizanne Galbreath, past Women’s Leadership Initiative Steering Committee memberGalbreath & Company, Managing Director
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Society
“We have such a good reputation because when ULI is invited in, we’re able to provide expert, objective advice, and ULI members are the key. They’re the secret sauce that makes ULI so credible.”
J. Ronald Terwilliger, Former ULI ChairmanTerwilliger Pappas Multifamily Partners, Chairman
Marcus Vitruvius Society, James J. Curtis Society
“ULI is the one organization that doesn’t have an agenda. We use our thinking and research to find ideas, rather than starting with preconceived ideas.”
Constance Moore, ULI Foundation Board Member, Former Global Boards MemberBRE Properties, Former CEO
Charles Fraser Society, James J. Curtis Society
“Giving money away wisely is hard. Many of us are not programmed to do it well. When I consider how the ULI has enriched my family, my business, and my personal friendships, I am very grateful to have the Foundation which I consider a “safe harbor” for charitable giving that will make a positive difference.”
Ronald C. Nahas, past TrusteeRafanelli & Nahas LLP, Partner
Charles Fraser Society
“If we want to move the needle in a significant way in terms of empowering people to choose physically active, healthier lifestyles through design, infrastructure, and other aspects of the built environment, then ULI is the organization to make this happen. What better way to make an impact on public health than in supporting an organization whose members impact thousands of communities across the United States and the world.”
Randall Lewis, MemberLewis Management Corp., EVP
Marcus Vitruvius Society, James J. Curtis Society
“Every gift helps enrich our knowledge base with new experiences, new perspectives, and new lessons learned and shared. Contributions fund our programs, activities, and services and help us create a brighter future for our Institute and our communities.”
Patrick L. Phillips, past ULI Global ChairmanERA AECOM, past president
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Society, James J. Curtis Society
“To me, the Annual Fund is really excellence insurance, to ensure that our message of responsible land use is getting out there.”
James Chaffin, Jr., TrusteeChaffin Light Management, Chairman
Governors Society
“We have an obligation to improve the built environment and we can do that by working in our communities, volunteering our time, and contributing our support to enable ULI to deliver its mission of building thriving communities.”
Doug Abbey, ULI Foundation Board member, past ULI Foundation ChairmanSwift Real Estate Partners, Chairman
Marcus Vitruvius Society, James J. Curtis Society
“The organization and the people in it have given back to you, your career, your friendships. It’s your obligation to give back to something you care about.”
Bruce Etkin, ULI Foundation Board MemberEtkin Johnson Real Estate Partners, Partner
James Rouse Society, James J. Curtis Society
“Everything ULI is, everything ULI does, is about member leadership. As a ULI member, each of you is de facto an industry leader, providing our communities access to the responsible land use expertise they need.”
Trish Healy, MemberHyde Street Holdings LLC, Principal
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Society
“Cities around the world are grappling with many forces of change, including demographics, population shifts, economic drivers, the environment, and technology. As a result, ULI’s work in community building has never been more necessary or relevant.”
Stephen Quazzo, ULI Foundation Board Member, past ULI Foundation ChairmanPearlmark Real Estate, CEO
Julia Morgan Society
“ULI is the leading organization for curating and disseminating industry knowledge and best practices in community building. No other organization comes close to ULI, in terms of sharing expertise and celebrating success stories that can benefit land use decision-making in communities around the globe. The potential of our organization to make a meaningful, lasting difference through the work of our members is inspiring.”
Owen D. Thomas, Former ULI Global Chairman, Former ULI Foundation Board MemberBoston Properties, CEO
Charles Fraser Society
“If our mission is to enhance the built environment by fostering best practices and a balanced approach between economic and environmental issues, then Advisory Services is by far the best outreach program we have, and the most demonstrative of our objectives. It truly reflects our core mission of making the built environment better for all.”
James M. DeFrancia, Life TrusteeLowe Enterprises
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Society, James J. Curtis Society
“ULI’s support of women through the Women’s Leadership Initiative is so crucial to make certain that there is a diverse array of voices that are speaking in every conversation.”
Mary Ludgin, past TrusteeHeitman, Senior Managing Director and Director of Global Investment Research
Frederick Law Olmsted Society
“I value my ULI membership because it has allowed me to exchange ideas with top decision-makers from politics and business about the future of urban development.”
Alexander Otto, Life TrusteeECE Projektmanagement G.m.b.H. & Co. KG
Daniel Burnham Society