WASHINGTON (June 5, 2024) — The Nancy and Geoffrey Stack Family Foundation has generously donated $5 million to the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Foundation, directing the gift to the ULI Chair’s Fund, which was established to build a $50 million endowment of unrestricted funding for ULI’s programs and operations.

With more than 48,000 members representing every sector of the real estate industry across 84 countries, ULI is a driver of research and collaboration to discover practical solutions to land use challenges and best practices for developing equitable and sustainable cities.

Doug Abbey, former ULI Foundation chair and current chair of the Foundation’s ongoing capital campaign, underscored the importance of the Chair’s Fund, to which he was a founding donor. “An endowment of this magnitude allows ULI to adapt to market changes and seize new opportunities, ensuring our organization thrives for the next 85 years as it has for the past 85,” he said.

Contributors of $5 million or more to the fund gain membership on the Chair’s Fund Advisory Committee, which reviews ULI’s annual budget and offers strategic advice to the ULI Global Board of Directors. The Stack family’s donation also grants them membership in the ULI Foundation’s prestigious Marcus Vitruvius Society, the highest accolade granted by the organization.

A Legacy of Leadership

Jeff Stack, a founding partner of Sares Regis Group and former ULI Foundation chair, began his journey with ULI in the 1980s. His involvement evolved from attending his first ULI meeting to chairing various councils and eventually becoming the Foundation chair in 2014. “Engaging with ULI has been transformative, enriching my understanding and commitment to land use and community development,” he said.

At the core of Stack’s commitment is a profound belief in ULI’s mission to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

“I got involved in the non-profit development side of ULI because I realized that if an organization can’t raise money, it can’t accomplish its mission,” Stack said. “When you look at the challenges that we face in the environment today, many of which have been exacerbated by poor land planning, it’s an opportunity to improve the world. That’s where ULI steps in to implement best practices in urban development.”

Pioneers in Supporting Health Care and Community Programs

Beyond their contributions to ULI, the Stacks are deeply invested in improving health care. In 2003, they founded the Cystinosis Research Foundation (CRF) to find better treatments and a cure for cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder affecting their daughter and have raised nearly $70 million to advance medical research. Additionally, in 2007, they established the Nancy and Geoffrey Stack Family Foundation to support various community initiatives.

The foundation also funds scholarships and supports ULI Learning, contributing to the education of future real estate leaders. In fiscal year 2023, nearly 2,500 people enrolled in one or more ULI Learning courses focused on such topics as design and construction, finance and investment, housing and residential development, sustainable land use, and more.

Powering ULI’s Future

The Stack family’s $5 million gift to the ULI Chair’s Fund is particularly meaningful to advancing the Institute’s long-term goals. “This donation ensures ULI’s continued success, supporting its dedicated professionals and volunteers,” Jeff Stack said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to sustain ULI’s mission for future generations.”

Abbey highlighted the significance of the Chair’s Fund, noting that it already has $22 million committed. “Jeff and Nancy’s contribution is the eighth $5 million-plus donation to the ULI Foundation and the latest to the Chair’s Fund,” he said. “We are honored to have them join this crucial effort.”

For more information about ULI and its initiatives, visit ULI.org.

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About the Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute is a non-profit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. For more information on ULI, please visit uli.org, or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About the Urban Land Institute Foundation

The ULI Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), focused on securing resources to enable ULI to accomplish its mission and grow the philanthropic spirit of its members. The ULI Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity dedicated to advancing ULI’s capacity to connect, inspire, and lead. For additional information, please visit foundation.uli.org.