2026 Annual Fundraising Luncheon
Join Us
The Immigration Project will host its Annual Fundraising Luncheon at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Featuring a keynote address by a very special speaker, to be announced soon
Celebrate
During the event, we will honor our 2026 Immigrant Hero Award recipient, hear from a compelling speaker, and share more about how The Immigration Project continues to serve the immigrant community.
The luncheon is free to attend, though guests will be invited to donate in support of our work.
Details
October 9, 2026
Doors open at 11:15 a.m.
Program 12 – 1 p.m.
Bone Student Center Ballroom
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Nominate a Hero
The Immigrant Hero Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact on the lives of immigrant families in Central and Southern Illinois.
The deadline for nominations is August 17, 2026.
We ask that the recipient be present at the luncheon to accept the award.
Keynote Speaker
Edwin C. Yohnka is the Director of Communications and Public Policy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, a position that he has held for more than a quarter century. He is the primary spokesperson for the most prominent civil rights and civil liberties’ advocacy organization in the State of Illinois. Yohnka appears regularly in print, as well as on television and radio programs, in Illinois and throughout the nation to speak out on a myriad of civil rights and civil liberties issues.
In 2013, Yohnka served as vice-chair for Illinois Unites for Marriage, a diverse, multi-faceted coalition of organizations that helped secure to ensure the freedom to marry for all couples in Illinois.
From 1987 until 1999, Yohnka served on the staff of the American Bar Association, spending most of that time as a Special Presidential Assistant in the ABA’s Office of the President. After leaving the ABA, he served as vice-chair of the organization’s Commission on Immigration.
Share
Feel free to download or print our Save the Date flyer, to post or share.
Donate
We would love to celebrate with you and hope you can attend!
If you are unable to be there in person, please consider a donation to support our work in the community.
