About the Foundation
About the Foundation
The Ohio State University Foundation is the university’s primary fundraising and gift-receiving organization. It was founded in 1985 as a non-profit, tax exempt organization that advances the mission of Ohio State by pursuing and securing private support to benefit Ohio State students, faculty, programs, and/or facilities.
The Ohio State University enjoys a robust history of private support from its alumni and friends. The fundraising results of almost three decades, combined with an understanding of the environment in which those results were achieved, provide the context and background from which the current operation, staffing model, strategic direction, and opportunities flow.
The first focused campaign at Ohio State raised approximately $1 million to help build Ohio Stadium, which was dedicated in 1922. Fundraising was institutionalized 15 years later when the Board of Trustees created the Development Fund. In the fund’s first full year, more than 3,300 donors gave the university almost $82,000. In 1985, Ohio State announced its first major comprehensive campaign, with a goal of $350 million. The campaign successfully closed in 1990 with gifts and pledges over $460 million.
In 1995, the university publicly launched its second major fundraising campaign with a goal of $850 million. Named “Affirm Thy Friendship” from a line in the alma mater, "Carmen Ohio," the campaign goal was later raised to $1 billion. When the campaign ended in 2000, the university had raised $1.23 billion, making Ohio State one of only five public universities at that time to have exceeded the billion-dollar mark. Total gift receipts raised during “Affirm Thy Friendship” exceeded all gifts received during the previous 123 years of the university’s existence.
In 2012, the university launched the But for Ohio State campaign, a $3 billion fundraising endeavor and the largest campaign in Ohio State’s history. More than 750,000 alumni and friends contributed to the campaign. The campaign allowed Ohio State to implement visionary new ideas for the student experience and to use our breadth of disciplines to tackle complex global problems related to food production and security, health and wellness, and energy and the environment.
On October 3, 2019, The Ohio State University launched Time and Change: The Ohio State Campaign, the most ambitious, inclusive community-building and fundraising endeavor in the university’s 150-year history.
Time and Change, which ended in the spring of 2025, was a resounding success, engaging more than 800,000 donors, 57% of which made their first gift to Ohio State during the campaign. Additionally, 109 new endowed positions were established throughout the campaign, creating chairs and professorships to attract and retain exceptional talent that contributes to the university’s legacy of faculty excellence. The campaign also raised more than $1 billion for the endowment, garnering critical long-term support for the future of our institution.
The Foundation Board played a vital role in this success, providing leadership and advocacy at every stage of the campaign. Thanks to the generous Buckeye community, Time and Change has elevated Ohio State’s Columbus and regional campuses with dynamic learning environments, new research and patient care facilities, and other crucial advances supporting student success, vibrant communities, and discovery.
Committees
There are five committees of The Ohio State University Foundation Board. Each committee acts on behalf of the board in the intervals between meetings to execute the work of the board. Each committee is comprised of Foundation Board elected and ex-officio directors, and may contain non-Foundation Board members with expertise and interest in the committee assignment.
The Audit Committee shall be responsible for oversight of the integrity of the Foundation’s financial statements and tax return and the Foundation’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Committee shall make recommendations to the Directors related to the audit and compliance functions of the Foundation and related entity operations. The Committee shall be comprised of no less than three (3) and no more than six (6) Directors. The Committee is expected to meet two (2) times per year.
Members of the Committee shall be considered independent as long as they do not accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the University or Foundation and are not employed by the University, its affiliates, or management. Members of the Committee shall possess general accounting, business, and financial knowledge, including the ability to review and understand financial statements. At least one member, preferably the Chair of the Committee, shall have accounting or financial expertise as determined by the President and Chair based upon such individual’s education, professional certifications, work experience, or other qualifications.
Committee Chair
James F. Dietz
The Development Committee shall assist the Directors, the Board of Trustees, and University staff to plan, develop, implement, and support fundraising and/or campaigns for the benefit of the Foundation and the University. The Committee shall be comprised of no less than three (3) and no more than twenty-five (25) members and shall include at least one (1) Ex Officio Director. The President may from time to time form Development Subcommittees. The Committee is expected to meet four (4) times per year.
a) There shall be a Corporate Advisory Subcommittee reporting through the Development Committee that shall advise University staff on corporate strategies and aid in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of corporate and foundation gifts. The Subcommittee shall be comprised of no less than six (6) members. The Subcommittee is expected to meet two (2) times per year.
b) During campaign periods, the Development Committee may become dormant and may be replaced by a Campaign Committee that shall be responsible for the planning and execution of campaign efforts. The Campaign Committee and any subcommittees may or may not include members of the Development Committee.
Committee Chair
Robert H. Schottenstein
The Directorship and Nominating Committee shall manage the nomination process, recommend individuals to serve as Elected Directors, Officers, and committee members, and review such positions annually. For each annual meeting of the Directors, the Committee shall nominate qualified and eligible individuals for Elected Director positions open for election. Additionally, the Committee shall nominate one qualified individual for each Officer position open for election. Each Officer nominee should be eligible to serve for the term for which he or she is to be elected. The Committee shall prescribe procedures whereby any person who is not a member of the Directorship and Nominating Committee may suggest nominees for consideration of the Committee. The Committee shall be comprised of no less than three (3) and no more than twelve (12) Directors, which shall include the President and the University’s Senior Vice President of Alumni Relations. The Committee is expected to meet four (4) times per year.
Committee Chair
Georgie Shockey
The Donor Relations Committee shall oversee Foundation awards and advise University staff on stewardship strategies including but not limited to donor recognition, reporting, and other experiences. The Committee shall be comprised of no less than three (3) and no more than twelve (12) members. The Committee is expected to meet four (4) times per year.
Committee Chair
Lee Shackelford
Previous award recipients
Reese Medal; Gerlach Award
The Executive Committee shall, subject to the limitations otherwise provided in the Code of Regulations [Code], have the power to act for the Directors between meetings of the Directors and shall have such other authority, power, and duties as provided in the Code or as the Directors may delegate. The Committee shall serve as a liaison to regularly communicate with the Board of Trustees and shall be responsible for overseeing committees of the Directors, reviewing these Regulations, and leading long-term planning for the Directors. The Committee shall be comprised of the following: the President, Chair, Vice Chair(s), Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate Past Chair, President of the University, and Provost of the University, and additional Elected Directors may be appointed by the Chair and President in consultation with the Directors. One Ex Officio Director shall be required to be present to constitute a quorum. Committee membership shall not exceed twelve (12). The President shall serve as Chair of the Committee. The Vice Chair of the Committee shall be the Foundation’s Chair. The Committee is expected to meet five (5) times per year.
Committee Chair
Michael C. Eicher
Student Delegates
Undergraduate and graduate/professional student delegates to The Ohio State University Foundation Board foster constructive interaction between students and the Board of Directors. They contribute the student perspective to Foundation Board meetings, events, and other opportunities, and they collaborate on programs to engage students with philanthropy at Ohio State.
- Directors and student delegates have a unique and distinct role in providing leadership to strengthen philanthropy at Ohio State.
- Directors and student delegates are individuals with diverse backgrounds and talents. Active participation and commitment of their time and expertise, maximizing individual skills and capacities, is vital to the success of The Ohio State University Foundation.
- Provide valuable insight and experience to Foundation Directors and university leaders to support and enhance the fundraising mission of the university.
- Attend and prioritize semi-annual Foundation Board meetings and relevant committee meetings as opportunities to provide counsel, vision and feedback.
- Participate in philanthropy at Ohio State through involvement in philanthropic student organizations.
- Meet regularly with Foundation Board staff to discuss opportunities and connect to relevant resources.
- Actively contribute to committee and Foundation Board meeting conversations.
- Communicate and build relationships with mentors, Foundation Board staff and Advancement staff.
Student delegates may serve up to three, one-year terms.
- Possess leadership experience, with a high regard to work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, Advancement and various student organizations.
- Can prioritize and balance their academic and personal commitments.
- Will contribute to strategic plans related to the philanthropic efforts of The Ohio State University.
- Are excited to serve as a student delegate and represent the Foundation Board at various university sponsored events.
- Orientation and onboarding for delegates about the Foundation Board and Advancement.
- Dedicated mentor from the Foundation Board who aligns with personal and professional interests of delegate.
- Regular communication, as well as immediate awareness, regarding important campus happenings and personnel changes.
- Communication and logistics in support of committee meetings and semi-annual Foundation Board meetings, as well as any other Foundation Board related events.
- Periodic meetings with the Foundation staff to help define and support the role of delegates in engaging with key campus partners.
- Opportunities to dialogue directly with Ohio State faculty, staff and students to gain a deeper understanding of current educational and research experiences.
- Invitations to VIP dinners and recognition events, athletic events and exclusive campus activities.
The Foundation Board is looking for one (1) undergraduate student delegate for the 2025-26 academic year. Interested students should apply at this link no later than Friday, February 28, 2025. Please contact Sara Stiffler with questions.