OHIO Giving Day sets new records, raises more than $1.5 million to support students

An OHIO leader poses for a photo with the Rufus and squirrel mascots

Rich-Joseph Facun

Once again, Bobcats around the world demonstrated their incredible commitment to �� on OHIO’s annual Giving Day with 3,136 donors contributing more than $1.5 million to dozens of scholarships, programs and initiatives on Wednesday, April 2. Giving and participation grew once again year-over-year, eclipsing the previous records for donors and total giving set in 2024, and we received gifts from donors in all 50 states.

Total giving was bolstered by an unprecedented $52,000 in matching funds contributed by members of the �� Foundation Board of Trustees to fuel the annual “Power Hour,” during which gifts to any featured Giving Day fund are matched up to $200.

The Board also partnered with OHIO President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and her husband Randy Gonzalez for a special triple-your-impact Power Hour at 7 p.m. During that time any donation up to $200 would be matched by both the Foundation Board and the President for triple impact to the fund of the donor’s choice. Funds for the match were quickly exhausted by donors eager to expand their impact.

Dozens of other generous supporters committed $2,500-$5,000 to match donations to specific funds, driving interest and donor numbers, and Giving Day advocates assisted with outreach to motivate support.

The Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact received the largest number of gifts with 170 gifts totaling more than $25,000, more than maximizing matching funds by three dedicated graduates of the Scripps College of Communication. Other funds received more than 100 gifts included the Schey Sales Centre General Support Fund, The Post Fund and the Marching 110 Practice Facility Support Fund.

An OHIO student plays miniature golf at a Giving Day event — Photo by Rich-Joseph Facun

OHIO once again offered the opportunity for donors giving $18.04 or more to symbolically name a campus squirrel. Our Squirrel Squad’s favorite donor-selected squirrel name for 2025 was “Parker Nutvarro,” a nod to our beloved Bobcat quarterback who helped lead the team to OHIO’s first MAC football championship title in more than 50 years. Other stand-out names included Tail-er Swift, Acornelius, Aragon Son of Acorn and Squirrely Temple.

Speaking of Tail-er Swift, throughout Giving Day, Bobcats celebrated this year’s theme “OHIO Through the Eras” with Squirrel Games like one putt and Plinko, a Buzzfeed style “What era of Rufus Are You” digital quiz, friendship bracelet kits, Rufus and Squirrel mascot photo ops and props, a contest to find hidden cardboard squirrels to win plushies, and much more. Students learned about the importance of Giving Day, signed thank you notes to donors, and won OHIO swag as well as opportunities to help designate donations to student funds.

“One of the things I love about Giving Day is that it helps bring together some of our most loyal supporters with new donors who are just discovering the impact they can have on our students through philanthropy,” said Greg Simmons, vice president for University Advancement and Chief Executive Officer of the �� Foundation. “I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership of our Foundation Board of Trustees, President Gonzalez and the dozens of donors who gave matching gifts, and I’m also thankful for the support of our faculty, staff and students who served as advocates or made gifts of their own to contribute to our Giving Day success.”

Missed Giving Day? It’s never too late (or early) to make a gift to support students and their success. .