The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges                      
250 E. Broad St., Suite 1700
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3722

For more information, please contact Cheryl Kight,
614-649-1950 ext. 111 or kight@ofic.org

For immediate release

NATIONWIDE MAKES $150,000 DONATION TO THE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

The Nationwide Insurance Foundation has made a gift of $150,000 to the 2009-2010 campaign of The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC), $140,000 in unrestricted dollars and $10,000 in challenge funds to assist OFIC
in leveraging gifts from additional donors. 
 
With a cumulative giving total of nearly $2.75 million, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation has supported the mission of OFIC to provide access to independent higher education to Ohio’s students for 59 years.   The company has consistently provided unrestricted gifts, which benefit all 34 OFIC member colleges and universities and the 98,000 students they currently serve.

“Giving back is a part of Nationwide’s culture,” said Mark R. Thresher, executive vice president and CFO for Nationwide Insurance. “The OFIC has established a longstanding history of creating opportunities for students throughout Ohio and Nationwide is proud to be able to contribute to their good work with this donation.”

Unrestricted funds are used in areas identified by the individual institutions as those of greatest need, such as student financial aid, technology upgrades, library and laboratory needs, or for support of educational programs. 

The Nationwide Insurance Foundation is an independent corporation funded by contributions from Nationwide companies including Nationwide Insurance and Nationwide Financial. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation has committed more than $250 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work. Just as Nationwide supports its customers in their moment of need, the company’s involvement in its home communities is focused on supporting organizations that help people facing critical or immediate need.

OFIC, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, is the primary corporate and foundation solicitation organization for 34 Ohio independent colleges and universities. OFIC member colleges collectively enroll 98,000 students.  For 60 years the Foundation has worked to highlight the leadership, value and excellence of independent higher education.  Through contributions raised in annual solicitations of businesses and foundations OFIC has provided unrestricted operating funds and scholarship assistance, thereby assuring continuation of excellence in independent higher education.  OFIC is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of Ohio’s corporate leaders, as well as presidents of the 34 member colleges.

The member colleges are:  Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Bluffton University, Capital University, Cedarville University, University of Dayton, Defiance College, Denison University, The University of Findlay, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Franklin University, Heidelberg University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kenyon College, Lake Erie College, Lourdes College, Malone University, Marietta College, Mount Union College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Muskingum University, Notre Dame College, Oberlin College, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein College, Urbana University, Ursuline College, Walsh University, Wilmington College, Wittenberg University and The College of Wooster. 

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