The Edgar Fellows initiative was developed by former Governor Jim Edgar to provide emerging leaders in Illinois public policy with lessons, inspiration and training in statesmanship and current issues while fostering and nurturing relationships that cross regional, political and personal experience boundaries. Started in 2012, the program teaches leadership skills and stresses the importance of problem solving instead of political expedience when addressing the state’s issues and opportunities.
Nominations For The 2025 Edgar Fellows Class Are Now Closed.
The New Class Will BE Announced Soon!
2025 Edgar Fellows Leadership Training Week
Sponsorship Opportunities
Edgar Fellows ™ is proud to announce the launch of a new sponsorship initiative in support of its signature Executive Leadership Training Week, to be held August 3–7, 2025, at the I Hotel in Champaign. Civic-minded organizations and individuals can engage in helping shape the future of leadership in Illinois through this effort which is being launched with long-time Edgar Fellows™ supporter - the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) – as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor.
Available Sponsorship Opportunities
With ISMS confirmed as the sole Presenting Sponsor, the Edgar Fellows™ Program invites additional sponsors to join this statewide effort. Remaining opportunities include:
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$35,000 – Marquis Sponsor (2 available)
Recognition at key events, logo placement, material distribution, and two VIP seats at the alumni dinner. -
$25,000 – Alumni Night Dinner Sponsor (1 available)
Branding, brief remarks at the alumni dinner and four VIP seats.
This year’s alumni dinner keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life - Jonathan Eig.
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$10,000 – Premier Daily Sponsor (4 available)
Day-specific recognition, signage, and participation opportunities. -
$5,000 – Governor’s Club Sponsors
General sponsors of the training week will be recognized during the week.
All sponsors will be recognized on Edgar Fellows™ electronic media, in the official agenda and participant materials, and through targeted outreach to alumni and supporters. Select tiers also receive inclusion in the press release announcing the 2025 Edgar Fellows™ Class.
The deadline for sponsorships is Monday, July 7.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Matt Baughman
Associate Director
Cell: (618) 201-0082
Email: mattbaughman71@gmail.com
Contact Associate Director Matt Baughman at mattbaughman71@gmail.com for more information on sponsorships.
WHO ARE THE FELLOWS?
Forty up and comers in Illinois public policy are selected annually to become the newest Edgar Fellows. Each class reflects the state’s political, ethnic and cultural diversity and include representatives from the public, nonprofit and private sectors. Once chosen, the Fellows are brought together on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus for a week-long executive training workshop. They learn from an array of individuals with extensive public policy experience ranging from Illinois Supreme Court Justices to State of Illinois Agency Directors and former U.S. Cabinet members to high level elected officials from Cook County.
Once training is complete, these new Fellows join the ranks of Edgar Fellows alumni and are invited to participate in dinners and other activities.
You and your financial support are integral to sustaining this program.
Please join with us to sustain Edgar Fellows into the future.
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