Spring 2021 Issue - 26

developments
INSIDE THE

uli foundation

Introducing ULI
Foundation President
Janice P. Periquet
The ULI Foundation recently
celebrated its 50th anniversary,
marking a half century of community-shaping, world-changing
impact.
Because of the generosity and
commitment of more than 2,000
individual and institutional donors,
the Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable
organization, raised more than
$9.37 million in 2020 for philanthropic priorities that ensure the
success, strength, and growth of
the Institute's mission-driven work
through all economic cycles.
In January, the ULI Foundation
welcomed Janice P. Periquet as
its new president. Periquet will
manage and oversee all aspects
of the Foundation's comprehensive fundraising strategy and
execution. In her most recent
position, she was vice president
of development at RepresentUs,
a nonpartisan organization dedicated to democracy reform.
Throughout her career, Periquet
has been focused on advancing
the work of entities and initiatives
that intersect with ULI's efforts to
transform the lives of millions of
people around the globe. From
building and managing investments to stakeholder support
for organizations committed to
environmental concerns, civil
rights, and social equity, democracy reform, public health, and
the humanities, she has been a
part of three billion-dollar-plus
campaigns, from design to implementation.
" We are thrilled to have Janice on
board with the Foundation, " says
Douglas D. Abbey, chairman of the
ULI Foundation. " There is much
work to do to face the myriad chal-

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lenges facing our cities around the
globe. ULI is the only organization
suited to bring best practices and
share new ideas and solutions. To
meet our critical mission to shape
the future of the built environment
for transformative impact in communities worldwide, we are strengthening the ULI Foundation to support
this effort. We are confident Janice
will lead us to a new level of philanthropic support. "
Periquet agreed to answer a
few questions about her plans for
the ULI Foundation.
What drew you to the ULI
Foundation?
ULI has a unique and powerful
platform to elevate and address
some of the most pressing land
use challenges in history-climate
resilience, sustainability, equity,
housing attainability, and economic development, for example-
as it seeks to positively impact
the future of diverse communities
worldwide. The expert leadership
of members across the land use
spectrum enables the vital creative
thinking, innovation, and action
needed to confront these challenges and bridge the public/private divide. These challenges are
found worldwide, but real estate
decisions and solutions are local
and place-based. I know some
of the strong leaders who have
generously committed their time,
talent, and treasure to the ULI mission. In a recent meeting with the
Foundation Board members, I was
immediately struck by the level of
dedication and engagement demonstrated. I am excited to join and
get things done.
What are your priorities for
the Foundation?
Beyond " the numbers " -raising
the funding critical to strengthening our excellent programs

and expanding their reach and
impact-I hope to get the ULI story
out there and make the Institute a
household name. The rich history
of ULI's tangible impacts has to be
communicated. I also am eager to
meet and learn from our members
and forge new relationships. The
45,000 ULI members are already
leaders in their communities.
They are well versed in the flow
of private investment that brings
new projects and ideas to fruition.
Many are also notable philanthropists in their local regions, chairing campaigns to build hospitals,
creating scholarships at their alma
maters, or supporting local arts
and community organizations. We
must build a better culture of philanthropy within ULI and help our
stakeholders extend their changemaking visions to the Foundation.
By telling our story-often, and in
a variety of ways to a variety of
audiences-we can demonstrate
our impact. We can show, through
numerous examples of the Institute's work over more than eight
decades, why giving to ULI matters, and further, how their philanthropy can leverage their personal
values and create legacies that
improve the communities they
care most about.
What do you believe to be
the Foundation's greatest
aspiration?
ULI's identity as a global organization means that, with our
unparalleled reach and extensive
expertise, we have the opportunity to make the greatest impact
on the world. There will never be
enough philanthropy to " fix " or
fund everything in communities,
but I have always believed that
philanthropy is the catalyst, the
spark to crank up the engine of
transformation. ULI has so much
potential, and increased attention

to our successful and extensive
mission-driven work will attract
more private investment to these
priority activities-projects that
make an immediate, lasting,
measurable impact on the lives
of millions of people far into the
future. The world is changing. It's
an exciting-and even scary-
moment. But I believe that if we
can all remember our shared
values and commitment to build a
stronger future for our children, we
will be successful.
What have you learned about
philanthropy throughout
your career, and how does
that inform your role with the
ULI Foundation?
Contrary to what many believe,
fundraising isn't about pitching a product for sale, it's about
building and stewarding relationships-asking good questions and
listening closely to the answers
to understand each prospective
donor's interests and passions.
Then we can discover together
how our priorities link with their
philanthropic goals. ULI's mission
resonates with so many people for
so many reasons, and what we do
truly matters on both a micro and
macro level; even my teenage sons
have grown increasingly aware of
how connected we all are.
Because English wasn't my first
language, I have always worked to
listen closely and try to meet people
where they are. Since the beginning
of the pandemic, I've discovered
there is less time to waste. Donors
are clearer about their goals and
want to cut to the heart of the
matter: what difference will my
philanthropic dollars make? I firmly
believe that ULI has the answer.
To learn more about the ULI
Foundation and its new president,
Janice Periquet, visit foundation.
uli.org. UL

SPRING 2021

3/31/21 11:00 AM

http://foundation.uli.org

Spring 2021 Issue

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