Get to Know: The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
Since 1950, The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges has represented private, higher education in Ohio. With over 75,000 students and 33 member colleges and universities, our non-profit organization not only raises scholarship dollars, but also provides outreach, services, and holds events for supporters to meet potential future employees and lifts up students attending our member campuses.
“We connect corporate Ohio with students from campuses all across Ohio. Thirty-three of the finest independent campuses in Ohio are members,” President of OFIC, Bill Spiker said. “Having the privilege to lead the OFIC team for the past seven years has awarded me the opportunity to facilitate meaningful scholarship, internship, and full-time career connections between our campus presidents, their talented students and Ohio’s top corporations and foundations.”
Our Purpose
33 Independent Campuses
75,000+ Students
OFIC was founded over 70 years ago to conduct annual solicitations from companies and foundations to benefit independent colleges and universities in Ohio. Solicitation is conducted annually with the help of corporate board members who assist our staff in calling on companies and foundations headquartered or doing business in Ohio. In addition, individual donors are sought out who want to further their philanthropic giving to students in need who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree from a member-campus. OFIC raises both unrestricted and restricted gifts including support for scholarships, endowments, and program support for annual Diversity Grants and our long-running Diversity Forum. Unrestricted gifts support needs in areas of the colleges’ choosing, most of them use the funds for student financial aid. Contributing a gift can help multiple students across the state of Ohio.
Our Mission, Values, and Vision
OFIC’s mission is to connect donors and partners with students in need, positively impacting Ohio’s economic engine. Our non-profit organization values meaningful connections, purposeful stewardship, and collaborative action. Our vision is to boldly leverage philanthropic and career partnerships to benefit OFIC students and bolster Ohio’s talent pipeline.
What We Do
Aside from raising scholarship funds to give students the opportunity to reach their goal of attaining a bachelor’s degree, OFIC hosts events including CareerFest where students and donors are able to connect for future employment opportunities and the OFIC Diversity Forum that provides reflection, discussion and actionable outcomes regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
An annual Awards Luncheon is also held to acknowledge graduates of member campuses who have achieved outstanding levels of accomplishment in their career and community service. In addition, an annual award is presented to an outstanding campus trustee who has provided service above and beyond to their college or university’s board of trustees.
Meet the OFIC Team
The people that are a part of the OFIC team who work every day to help independent college students with scholarships and career connections.
Bill Spiker: President. Meet with Bill
Brett Fields: Vice President of Operations
Amy Bartter: Regional Vice President for Development (Northeast and Southeast Ohio). Meet with Amy
Lori Burrows: Regional Vice President for Development (Central and Western Ohio). Meet with Lori
Loren Hughes: Manager of Scholarship Services
Tacarra Davis: Information Manager, Scholarship Administration and Assistant to the President
Judy Moehl: Scholarship, Events and Administration Coordinator
From scholarships to diversity grants to unrestricted giving, OFIC is helping to make a difference in the lives of students. Learn more about ways to partner with OFIC.
