Give Now
Having an immediate influence on Ohio University is as easy as making an annual fund gift, ensuring your company makes a matching gift, or establishing an endowment.
For more information, contact:
Office of Development for Annual Giving
McGuffey Hall
Athens, OH 45701
800.592.FUND
giving@ohiou.edu
Or email:
Larry Lafferty, Interim Assistant Vice President for Development, University Advancement
Jennifer Bowie, Director of Development for the Annual Fund and Communication
Duane Sprague, Assistant Director of Annual Giving
Annual Giving
Annual gifts provide a constant stream of flexible income that can make the difference between a good education and a great one. These funds support increased student aid, the purchase of books, equipment, technology, and academic and athletic programming.
Ohio University’s annual giving program raises private gifts on behalf of the University’s 10 academic colleges and other major units such as Athletics, University Libraries, the Voinovich Center, and Student Affairs. Utilizing the National Phonathon, direct mail, and corporate matching programs, gifts are solicited from alumni, parents, and friends of Ohio University.
Individuals are invited to join any one of several giving societies by making an annual charitable gift to the University. Ohio University provides special recognition to its annual giving society members in appreciation of their consistent dedication and commitment to the mission and founding principles of the institution - teaching, research, and service. Membership is open to all alumni, parents, and friends of Ohio University.
About the Trustees' Academy...
Matching gifts
Personal gifts to educational institutions made by employees, retirees, and their family members may be matched by businesses and corporations.
The brainchild of Philip Reed, former chair of the GE Board of Directors, matching gifts were designed to encourage employees to contribute to their alma maters. Reed believed the incentive to contribute was greater if the company matched the employee’s gift. The GE “matching gift” program was launched in 1954. Since that time, employers and their employees have contributed more than $2 billion to education thanks to corporate matching gift programs. Today, matching gifts are an important source of funds for educational institutions. They also are an increasingly important way for companies to allow employees to direct a portion of the monies earmarked for charitable contribution.
How to make a matching gift contribution
Gift Matching procedures can vary from company to company. The following example is typical:
· An employee gets a matching gift form from the employer, usually from the human resources department.
· After completing the form, the employee sends it along with the donation to Ohio University.
· The University certifies on the form that it has received the gift and meets the company’s guidelines for receiving a matching gift.
· The University returns the form to the company.
· The company verifies eligibility of the employee and gift recipient and sends a check to Ohio University.
Contact your employer's human resource office for more information, or call 800.592.FUND.
Endowment gifts
Endowments create the foundation upon which universities build lasting financial strength and ensure academic quality. Once in place, endowments provide permanent support for teaching and research, student aid, and an abundance of other academic programs and activities.
With a minimum $15,000 commitment, you can create an endowment that will bear your name – or the name of someone you wish to honor. Donors have two years to bring a fund to the endowed level. Based on The Ohio University Foundation’s spending policy, 5 percent of the endowment’s total value will be made available for expenditure each year (e.g. $750 from a $15,000 endowment). These dollars can support scholarships, equipment and software upgrades, student research, and more. Distribution of funds will be subject to a specific set of guidelines formulated by The Ohio University Foundation in conjunction with you, the donor.
Many special programs have specific endowment requirements, such as: Named Professorships, $250,000 minimum; Cutler Scholarships, $400,000 minimum; and Endowed Chairs $1 million minimum.
Multi-year pledge payment schedules can be arranged.
