Give to OSU

Why We Give

A Legacy of Love, Life, and Second Chances—Courtesy of OSUCCC—James.

Roy and June Smoot

A chance meeting and love at first sight on the Ohio State campus launched a love and legacy that now comes full circle in an estate gift. Read More

Ensuring the Call to Service

Clint Oster and Jeanine Decker

Jeanine Eilers Decker, MPA ’78, and her husband, Lance Decker, MPA ’78, are ensuring their passion for service continues for years to come with their legacy gift. The couple recently named the John Glenn College of Public Affairs as a beneficiary of their will to provide general operating support to the college. Read More

A Win-Win Way to Help Others

Anthony Melaragno

The Ohio State University laid a strong foundation for Dr. Anthony (Tony) Melaragno’s career as a physician. “I loved my time at Ohio State, both during my undergraduate years and my time at the College of Medicine,” said Tony. Read More

A Legacy of Service

Judie Zimomra

Judie Zimomra, MPA ’82, has a family that is passionate about helping others. Her father was on the Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools board, and after he passed away while in office, her mother was appointed to serve the remainder of his term. Read More

Making the Gift of a Lifetime Possible

Amy Karnehm

Helping others has always been intrinsic to Amy Karnehm. She grew up in a family that always did what they could to give back to those in need. They also happen to be lifelong Ohio State fans. Read More

A Lasting Legacy of Education and Entertainment

Mike Schmidt

WOSU Public Media's content and programming has been inspiring and engaging the community for generations. Mike Schmidt, '78, '91, is playing a key role in upholding this educational and entertaining media for years to come. Read More

Making an Impact Now and in the Future

Nila Whitfield

Nila Whitfield has long been committed to helping Ohio State students fulfill their potential. After 32 years working at Ohio State, she’s using her future plans to ensure her support for Buckeyes lives on. Read More

Empowering Future Educators

Peggy Iden

We were lucky when Peggy Iden found herself on Ohio State's campus. Her passion for our university, as well as her belief in the importance of physical activity and education for everyone, lives on thanks to her thoughtful gifts. Read More

Inspiring the Next Generation of Educators

Charlie and Linda Kurtz

Charlie and Linda Kurtz know firsthand the impact that an Ohio State education can have on someone's life, and all the lives they touch. They are committed to providing future educators with the opportunity to start their teaching careers with a degree from Ohio State. Read More

Upholding a Tradition of Giving Back

Thomas M. Murnane

There is a long history of Ohio State graduates in Tom Murnane's family. Equally notable is the strong family tradition of giving back to the university. Read More

Honoring the Generosity of Others With a Gift for the Future

Daniel Saraceno

Scholarships can change lives and help Ohio State students achieve their dreams. This was especially true for Daniel Saraceno, '09, who was able to attend Ohio State through the Stadium Scholarship Program. Read More

Educating Public Health Students Today and Long Into the Future

Mike Smeltzer

Even though Mike grew up on the West coast, once he came to Columbus, he became a Buckeye for life. During his Ohio State education and career in public health, Mike learned the importance of a solid educational foundation. Today, he is dedicated to supporting the next generation of public health professionals. Read More

An Investment in the Future of Health Care

Chris and Karen Kaiser

Chris and Karen Kaiser, '79, have expressed their commitment to the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center by funding a charitable gift annuity. Their gift honors Dr. E. Christopher Ellison, and his tremendous impact on past and current generations of surgeons, staff and patients. Read More

Making a Difference in Mental Health

Barbara Rayden

As Barbara reflected on the many blessings in her life and the best way to share those blessings, she quickly realized that she wanted to help an organization that shares her passion for mental health. Read More

Rewarding Future Leaders in 4-H

Linda and Robert Joseph

From the time she was in middle school, Linda knew that she wanted to teach home economics. "I was active in 4-H growing up, participating in many cooking and sewing projects, and even showing Hereford cattle," said Linda. "Ohio State was the only university I considered because of my experiences in the 4-H Club Congress, first as a camper and then as a counselor." Read More

Coming Home to Make a Gift

Gerald Lowther

As first-generation college students, Jerry and Andrya are grateful for the opportunities that an Ohio State education gave them. Andrya earned a Master's of Arts in Education and Jerry earned a Doctor of Optometry and Doctor of Philosophy. Jerry enjoyed a long career in academia and retired as dean of the School of Optometry at Indiana University. Read More

The Students Make It All Worthwhile

Sylvia Anderson Price

Fulfilling the educational goals of future nursing students is high on Sylvia Price's priority list. She invested herself deeply in her profession as a staff nurse, supervisor and faculty member. Her professional success, along with her book royalties, has allowed her to establish the Dr. Sylvia Anderson Price Scholarship Fund to provide need-based scholarships to students enrolled in Ohio State's College of Nursing. Read More

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to The Ohio State University Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to The Ohio State University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Ohio State or other charities.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Ohio State as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Ohio State as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Ohio State where you agree to make a gift to Ohio State and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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