Personal Giving Stories

Dr. Robert Shales spent his young adulthood admiring an uncle who attended the University of Illinois. The first in his family to graduate high school, he dreamed of following in his uncle’s footsteps despite his family’s post-Depression financial hardships.

But they made ends meet, and he was grateful to attend the College of Dentistry during World War II. A fulfilling and successful dentistry career later, he’s creating brilliant futures for generations of University of Illinois at Chicago students.

“Since 1933 I’ve loved the University of Illinois,” says Shales. “My charitable gift annuity allows me to express my affection for the institution, help students and provide myself income in my retirement.”

Shales chose to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) because it offers a tax deduction, delivers lifetime payments and supports a cause of the donor’s choosing. For Shales, this was helping students. He dedicated his gift to the Sylvia Manning Scholarship Fund, which honors UIC’s immediate past chancellor and provides need-based scholarship funds to cover an undergraduate’s full financial needs.

“I know students can spend precious time and energy worrying about next semester’s tuition,” says Shales. “The Sylvia Manning Fund represents my goal to make University study more comfortable for a deserving student, who can re-focus on study, research or community service.”

All three of Shales’ sons graduated from the University of Illinois, which, added to his lifelong interest in the University, helped him stay connected over the years. In fact, he created a file for them, full of information about his gift, to emphasize the importance of service to others.

“I never would have dreamed, when I was starting out and times were lean, I’d be giving money to the University,” Shales says. “My hope, in addition to helping students, is to encourage others to consider doing the same.”

The U of I Foundation gift planning staff is pleased to answer your questions and offer assistance at any time. Please contact the Foundation to learn more.