1950-2025

Celebrating 75 Years

It all began with an idea…

Which inspired the first gift of $5…

Growing to Over $163M Distributed to Member Campuses, $57M in Scholarships, and Nearly 30,000 Scholarship Awards!

We are filled with gratitude for 75 incredible years of empowering Ohio’s students through independent higher education. Thank you to our donors, member campuses, partners, staff and friends who have supported us every step of the way. Together, we’ve built a legacy that continues to shape the future. Here’s to a year filled with inspiration, growth, and new opportunities—may the next 75 years be even more impactful as we continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and the future of Ohio.

The first official contribution was received by OFIC on August 27, 1951, from Lucille Grumley of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Grumley, whose son, Fred K. Grumley, was enrolled at Capital University, sent a gift of $5.00 after having read newspaper accounts of the new Foundation.

Lucille Grumley, President William T. Wickham, Heidelberg University, and President Harold L. Yochum, Capital University.