How to Give

No matter how you do it, you can join more than 17,000 alumni, students, parents, friends, and organizations who also believe in the future of Ohio University.

Keep it Simple

Gifts made by credit card or check are simple, but that doesn't take away from their impact.

  • Give Online

    You're in the right place! The easiest way to make a gift to Ohio University is through our secure, online giving form. Fill out a quick form to complete the giving process.

  • Give By Phone

    Call us at 800.592.3863. The phone line is staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. You may also leave a voicemail and a staff member will return your call. 

  • Give By Mail

    Mail a check payable to The Ohio University Foundation to The Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701. Indicate the fund to which you would like to designate your one-time gift on the memo line.

Not Sure Where to Give?

Ohio University donors choose where to designate gifts, so that you can give where you care the most.

  • Give to a General Fund

    A gift to "The Fund for OHIO" goes to Ohio University's current area of greatest need. General doesn't mean unremarkable. This general fund gives Ohio University the power and flexibility to move forever forward, no matter what comes next. 

  • Give to a Fund of Your Choice

    OHIO offers hundreds of unique funds. Your gift will have a direct and immediate impact. Choose a fund that matters to you under "Designation" in our online giving form.

Get Creative

You may not have thought of these ways to give before.

Give Cryptocurrency


Avoid steep taxes on appreciated crypto by donating the gains (and converting to dollars all at once). Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even Dogecoin can now fund Ohio University's mission. 

Give Crypto

Wire or ACH Funds Transfer


Gifts can be wired directly to the Ohio University Foundation or through ACH Fund Transfers. Please email giving@ohio.edu to request these instructions.

Request Instructions

Give Appreciated Assets


Many donors prefer to make gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds because it allows them to support the areas they care about most, while maximizing potential tax benefits by avoiding capital gains tax.

Stock Transfer Instructions

Match Through Your Employer


Many employers sponsor programs to match charitable donations made by their employees—some employers even triple charitable contributions. Give more without actually giving more. 

Check Employer Matching Database

Make a Payroll Deduction


Ohio University employees can give through payroll deduction. Give directly and automatically through your paycheck over as many pay periods as you choose. 

Set Up Payroll Deduction

Crowdfund a Project


Crowdfunding leverages small gifts from a large number of people—sometimes known as a crowd— in order to accelerate fundraising over several weeks and boost funding for meaningful projects. 

Browse Crowdfunding Projects

Volunteer Time and Talent


Time and talent are valuable gifts. Volunteers assist with recruitment, events, board service, acting as ambassadors, networking, and mentoring other Bobcats. 

Volunteer

Overnight a Check


If you need to overnight a check, please indicate the fund to which you would like to designate your one-time gift on the memo line and mail to:

Claire Ping Cottage
50 University Terrace
1 Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701

Go Big for Your Home

If you're ready to make more of a commitment, consider these giving options.

  • Create a Scholarship or Endowment

    Creating an endowment allows your scholarship or fund to keep on giving, year after year. The interest earned from the principal investment is the only portion that is ever spent.

  • Establish a Donor-Advised Fund

    A Donor-Advised Fund is your own charitable fund, named after you and administered by us. You can use it to support Ohio University and your other favorite charitable causes.

  • Form a Corporate Partnership

    Meet your corporate social responsibility goals with a partnership that includes gifts-in-kind, matching programs, gifts to any of our funds, and more. 

  • Name a University Asset

    Leave your signature on a scholarship, award, college, academic program, or facility. There are multiple options for putting your name in print on an OHIO campus. 

Gift Planning Options

Gift planning can take your legacy to a whole new level.

  • Bequeath a Gift in Your Will


    You can designate Ohio University as a beneficiary in your will for real estate, personal property, business interests, and cash.

  • Designate OHIO a Beneficiary


    You can designate Ohio University as a beneficiary of stocks, bonds, retirement assets, insurance policies, and bank accounts by filing paperwork with relevant entities.

  • Initiate an IRA Charitable Rollover


    Use your individual retirement account (IRA) to make a gift while also enjoying tax savings this year.

  • Charitable Gift Annuity


    Transfer your cash or appreciated securities to The Ohio University Foundation in exchange for our promise to pay you fixed payments (with rates based on your age) for the rest of your life.

  • Charitable Remainder Trust


    Transfer your cash or appreciated property to fund a charitable remainder unitrust. The trust sells your property tax free and provides you with income for life or a term of years.

  • Charitable Lead Trust


    Fund a trust that makes gifts to The Ohio University Foundation for a number of years. Your family receives the trust remainder at substantial tax savings.

Can't Find It?

If you don't see your preferred method of giving listed here, contact us to see if it's an option at Ohio University. 

Contact Us