Leadership Recognition

Nebraska Circle

The Nebraska Circle is the highest level of the University of Nebraska Foundation Giving Society, distinguishing friends and alumni from each of the university’s four campuses who have donated $1 million or more, through outright gifts, pledges or qualifying planned gifts. Due to their remarkable philanthropy, Nebraska Circle members are offered a number of exclusive courtesies, including special invitations from the University of Nebraska president. 

President’s Society

The President’s Society recognizes friends and alumni from each of the university’s four campuses who have reached the cumulative outright giving level of $100,000. President’s Society members are offered a number of courtesies for their generosity including, but not limited to, specialized digital communications, a variety of university and foundation publications, an open invitation to tour the campuses, and invitations to attend campus events and activities hosted by the university and the foundation. Specifically, the University of Nebraska president hosts football and hockey pre-game festivities each year for members on multiple campuses. President’s Society members may also receive public recognition and acknowledgment at special events.

Chancellor’s Society

The Chancellor’s Society recognizes friends and alumni who have reached the cumulative outright giving level of $50,000 or more to one campus of the University of Nebraska. Chancellor’s Society members are offered a number of courtesies specific to the campus supported, including messages from your chancellor, campus and foundation publications, an open invitation to tour campus, and invitations to attend campus events and activities hosted by the campus and the foundation. Acknowledgment of membership at special events may also be received. Individual campus societies include:

• University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor’s Society
• University of Nebraska–Lincoln Chancellor’s Society
• University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor’s Society
• University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor’s Society

Burnett Society

Since 1967, the University of Nebraska Foundation has recognized donors who, through their consistent giving to the University of Nebraska, have raised the stature of the institution. These donors are members of the foundation’s Giving Society. The Burnett Society specifically recognizes members of this group who support the university through a planned gift. The group takes its name from Edgar A. Burnett, a chancellor at the University of Nebraska during the Great Depression, who recognized the university would not succeed on state funding alone. Burnett called on 30 business and civic leaders, and together, they created the University of Nebraska Foundation to raise private funds for the university. The foundation received its first bequest in 1937 from a former faculty member; the second came in 1938 from an alumnus and 40-year employee of the library.