Private giving to Ohio University exceeds $29 million in fiscal year 2019
Members of Ohio University’s Singing Men of Ohio joined members of the Marching 110, Rufus and supporters throughout the OHIO community in promoting and celebrating the University’s first-ever Giving Day.
Ohio University’s Division of University Advancement secured $29.53 million in new gifts and commitments during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2019, exceeding its $20 million goal. More than 15,000 donors made gifts to the University last fiscal year—including 8,638 alumni and 573 OHIO employees.
Two highlights of the fiscal year were the University’s first Giving Tuesday campaign and its first-ever OHIO Giving Day. The success of Giving Tuesday (Nov. 27) secured nearly $20,000: more than $15,000 for the Baker Center Food Pantry and over $4,000 for other funds. Building on that momentum, OHIO Giving Day saw 1,535 donors contribute $443,534 in 24 hours on April 18.
“This outpouring of generosity reaffirmed what we already knew: Bobcats care deeply about Ohio University,” said Nico Karagosian, vice president of University Advancement and president and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation. “Giving Day is a wonderful example of the impact that individuals can have when they come together in making gifts—of any and every amount—to the University. I’m looking forward to Giving Tuesday 2019 and OHIO Giving Day 2020.”
During Giving Day, OHIO’sEbony Bobcat Network(EBN) topped its $300,000 fundraising goal and fully endowed the EBN Urban Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition assistance and support to high-achieving students from urban school districts across Ohio.
EBN’s success was made possible in part by The OHIO Match program—which has partnered with donors to maximize gifts since 2013 by matching $0.50 on every dollar committed to eligible scholarship endowments. Through The OHIO Match, the University had secured nearly $13.25 million in commitments by the end of fiscal year 2019. The broad program sunsetted June 30; however, because The OHIO Match had been expanded in January 2019 to include OHIO’s regional campuses and donor-specified programs, some new scholarship commitments continue to be eligible for matching dollars through June 30, 2020.
Also in fiscal year 2019, the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism became home to the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism, a prestigious fellowship program established with grants from The Kiplinger Foundation in 1972 at The Ohio State University. The program is supported by a more than $5 million endowment that was transferred to The Ohio University Foundation in mid-February. An additional 2019 notable gift is the transfer of 27.7 acres of land, valued at $4.155 million, from the City of Dublin.
“The dedication of Ohio University’s alumni, friends, and partners is extraordinary, their enthusiasm for the University’s future is powerful, and their charitable giving is a humbling testament to the quality of an OHIO education,” said Karagosian, who joined the OHIO team in March 2018. “In my first full fiscal year with the University, the special character of the Bobcat family has been demonstrated to me time and time again. I’m so very grateful for this special place, the people who support it, and our Advancement team.”
In fiscal year 2020, the Advancement team’s goal is to raise $30 million in support of the University’s students, faculty, programs, and facilities. In addition, Advancement is focused on inspiring more alumni to make annual gifts—growing alumni participation in giving to 5.5 percent or 13,820 alumni donors.
“Everywhere I go, I meet passionate OHIO alumni who value the experiences they’ve had here,” said President M. Duane Nellis. “These graduates give back in many ways: mentoring students, hiring other Bobcats, attending our events, and reading our publications. And, when this affinity translates into charitable gifts to The Ohio University Foundation, it has a positive impact on our national rankings and increases the value of every OHIO degree. Alumni donations endorse an OHIO education. I hope that more alumni will make that endorsement this year.”
Another objective for the year ahead is to continue to grow Ohio University’s endowment. University and Foundation endowments total $568.9 million (as of Dec. 31, 2018). These endowments provided $19.5 million to the University’s colleges and units in fiscal year 2019.
“A great university deserves a great endowment,” said President Nellis. “Through our fundraising efforts, we’re committed to enhancing our endowment and the reliable financial support that it provides for students and faculty. I’m grateful for the visionary donors who continue to ensure the future of our University.”
Gifts to OHIO can be made online, and checks may be made payable to The Ohio University Foundation and sent to the foundation at P.O. Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701. Questions about making a gift—and eligibility for The OHIO Match—can be directed to The Ohio University Foundation at (800) 592-3863 or giving@ohio.edu.