COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Buckeyes dug deep to show how deep was their friendship, donating more than $400 million to Ohio State’s fundraising campaign.
A record 233,185 donors gave $404 million to the “But for Ohio State” campaign during the fiscal year ending June 30, university officials said. That is an 8 percent increase over the previous year’s total and leaves the campaign still about a half billion dollars short of its overall goal.
“It is very gratifying that so many alumni, faculty, staff and community leaders recognize that an investment in the university is an investment in the future. This campaign is about fulfilling the university’s mission of teaching, creating knowledge to elevate society and preparing the next generation of leaders,” said university President Michael Drake.
The donations reported in the fiscal year ending June 30 were just shy of the record $407 million in 2011-12. Donations during that year included a $100 million pledge from L Brands chairman and CEO Leslie Wexner and the company’s foundation.
The campaign raised $374 million during the 2013 fiscal year.
In the first six months of 2014, 73,737 alumni contributed nearly $70 million, bringing the total raised to date to $1.9 billion. The overall goal of the campaign is $2.5 billion.