ILLINOIS DADS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2026 GRANT WINNERS

The Dads Association at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) recently announced the recipients of the 2026 Dads Association Grants. 36 organizations were chosen among the applications received and a total of $24,000 was awarded. The recipients are:

Illinois Space Society - $1000 awarded
X-Time - $1000 awarded
Illini Pullers - $600 awarded
Engineers without Borders UIUC - $1250
Pre-Dental Club - $500 awarded. Pre-dental club provides alternative social programming to create community on campus and among ministry membership, providing a space for clean fun for students who aren’t interested in the typical campus party environment.
Inspire H.E.R. - $500 awarded
Illinois Triathlon Club - $1000 awarded. Illinois Triathlon Club is a group of athletes and friends who swim, bike, run, and have a good time together. We are open to any students in the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Community.
Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter - $1000 awarded. established in 1992 by a group of motivated students who recognized the need to end substandard housing in Urbana-Champaign. Working closely with our Champaign County affiliate, our goal is to raise awareness about housing insecurity among students and fundraise for an annual sponsorship towards an affordable home in the surrounding community.
The Boring Illini - $750
Women's Resource Center - $500 awarded. The WRC is committed to enhancing campus climate and advancing gender equity at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for students of ALL genders through a variety of programming and services, including identity and career development initiatives, sexual and relationship violence prevention and awareness programming, confidential advising, and survivor advocacy and support.
Colegient 4-H - $350 awarded
Pre-Vet Club - $600
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers - $600 awarded. IISE provides leadership in developing industrial and systems engineering. We are a student-run organization providing professional, social, and service opportunities for Industrial and Systems Engineers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Undergrad Pre-PHD Society - $350
Illini World Taekwondo (IWT) - $300 awarded. IWT is a non-profit, registered student organization at UIUC. As one of the oldest and the longest-standing martial arts club on campus, we strive to preserve the traditional aspects of taekwondo while also pursuing taekwondo as a modern sport everyone can participate in and enjoy.
Illinois Women's Fastpitch Softball Club - $700 awarded.
Engineers in Action Bridge Program - $500 awarded. A group which designs and construct footbridges over impassable rivers with rural communities worldwide to strive for a world with equal opportunity. We believe a river should not be a barrier to someone getting an education, a farmer accessing their crops, or a parent getting their child proper healthcare.
Illini Sketchers - $350 awarded
MedLaunch - $1000 awarded. A student-led organization at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a focus on making our community a more accessible place. Coming from all different majors and perspectives, they work with individuals with disabilities in the Champaign-Urbana area to design, build, and deliver devices that improve their independence and quality of life.
Illini 4000 - $1000 awarded. The Illini 4000 is a student run non-profit organization. Every year we fundraise money for cancer research and patient support through a cross country bicycle ride from New York City to San Francisco. In addition we collect stories from those who have had experiences with cancer and create a series of video interviews called the portraits project.
Kesem at Illinois - $1000 awarded. Kesem is committed to creating a world where every child who has a parent with a cancer diagnosis or has lost a parent to cancer is never alone. We support these children through and beyond their parent’s cancer with free, fun-filled creative programs and a lasting community.
Illini Solar Car - $1000 awarded. Illini Solar Car is comprised of a group of over 150 students from across the University with the goal of building and racing the world’s best road-legal solar electric vehicle.
University of Illinois Women's Club Soccer - awarded $800
Illini Awaaz A Capella - $675
Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Society - $275 awarded
Astronomical Society at UIUC - $575 awarded
UIUC Women's Chemists Committee - $600 awarded
Latinx in Law - $600 awarded
Illinithon - $1000 awarded. A Children's Miracle Network Dance Marathon program. The Illinithon is a year long movement that raises money and awareness for our local Children's Miracle Network Hospital, HSHS St John's Children's Hospital. They work throughout the year to ensure the miracle kids receive the best medical care available and create a future free of pediatric illness and injury
Illini Tamil Club - $325 awarded
Project Level the Field UIUC - $325 awarded
American Advertising Federation at Illinois - $550 awarded
Philippine Student Association - $325 awarded
Steel Bridge - $650 awarded
NeuroTech@UIUC - $1000 awarded
UIUC Beekeeping Club - $450 awarded

The University of Illinois Dads Association is proud to support these organizations and their worthy endeavors.

The Dads Association at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, established in 1922, is one of the nation’s oldest parent organizations. In addition to awarding six scholarships annually, The Dads Association awards grants to worthy campus programs and initiatives, and supports programs, services, and activities that promote the health, safety, and well-being of the University community. We partner with the New Student and Family Experiences office to help serve as a parent liaison to the campus.

For more information about scholarships, grants, and the Dads Association, please visit the Dads Association website at www.illinidads.com or call the UIUC New Student and Family Experiences Office at (217) 333-7063.