The perfect harmony that fueled ‘Time and Change’

When Time and Change: The Ohio State Campaign publicly launched in 2019, university leaders set hugely ambitious goals for fundraising and engagement. They knew the support could help the institution reach a new level of excellence. They also knew the targets would require creativity, collaboration and commitment to achieve. What they couldn’t predict, however, was the pandemic. Or the economic downturn. Or the social unrest. Or the university leadership changes. All of which raised the bar even higher for the lofty drive.

Yet six years later, Time and Change has exceeded expectations. It’s the most successful campaign in Ohio State’s history, creating new opportunities for students, researchers and others while transforming the physical campus. The campaign has generated plenty of impressive statistics, but perhaps the most telling is this: 811,000 (and counting). That figure represents the total number of Time and Change donors as of mid-March, a record for any university and nearly enough Buckeyes to fill Ohio Stadium eight times.

“You win with people,” said Woody Hayes, who knew a thing or two about attracting throngs to the ’Shoe. That philosophy also fueled Time and Change’s success, which wouldn’t have been possible without the faith, loyalty and dedication of the university’s extraordinary community. Despite the uncertainty, these stakeholders—alumni, faculty, staff, the broader Buckeye Nation—rallied around the university, its values and the shared objectives of the campaign. “Our university’s bold vision and aspirations inspired our community,” says Michael C. Eicher, senior vice president for advancement at Ohio State and president of The Ohio State University Foundation. 

The response also highlights the unique connection between the university and its community—deep ties that can inspire multi-generational support. In October, Fisher College of Business debuted the Daley Family Pavilion and Daley Family Terrace, an all-season structure and outdoor space that’s a meaningful gathering spot for students, faculty, alumni and others.

It recognizes a philanthropic tradition at Fisher and Ohio State that stretches from Max Fisher, the college’s namesake, through three generations of Daleys, says interim Dean Trevor Brown. “People at Fisher are remarkable at generating wealth, and they are remarkable at giving that wealth back,” Brown says.

That tradition, in turn, inspired many to support Ohio State during difficult times, says Brown, also the dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. “While COVID and its aftermath created uncertainty, it also became the impetus for saying, ‘Let’s all lean in and help out.’”

Brown, his fellow deans and university unit leaders played a greater role in Time and Change than in previous campaigns. They developed fundraising aspirations, identified major needs and looked for collaborative opportunities across Ohio State. The result was a campaign with both university-level and grassroots priorities.

This broad approach led to more buy-in from partners, says Kara Trott ’91 JD, who co-chaired with Alec Wightman ’75 JD the Campaign Workgroup, formed by the Board of Trustees in spring 2023 to study Time and Change. “It broke down some of the silos,” says Trott, the founder and board chair of Dublin, Ohio-based Quantum Health who was appointed to Ohio State’s Board of Trustees in November 2024. “It provided a lot more cross-functional coordination.”

The new hospital tower at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is one such standout collaboration. “Innovative, healing spaces with the best technology will ensure we’re providing world-class care to every patient, every time, and the teaching, scientific exploration and clinical trials that will take place there will expand access to quality care and be a real benefit for all Ohioans and even nationally and internationally,” says Dr. John J. Warner, chief executive officer of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and executive vice president at Ohio State.

Opening in 2026, the 26-story tower is the largest single facilities project ever undertaken at Ohio State and would not have been possible without significant philanthropic support. Both the John F. Wolfe Lobby on the ground floor and the Wolfe Foundation Crossroads, located on the tower’s second floor, will serve as primary physical connection points to the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

While the most obvious outcomes of the campaign are the giant building projects, all the university’s spaces are buzzing with artistic expression, laboratory breakthroughs and students growing and learning as a result. At the College of Social Work, for instance, donations have supported the Student First Fund, benefiting 184 students experiencing an unexpected financial emergency that could have impeded their academic progress.

In addition, the campaign has deepened relationships. It’s reaching a younger demographic through new crowdfunding platforms. It’s nurturing a new generation of advocates through the Volunteer Leader Academy, an outgrowth of the campaign. And it’s widening the university’s base of support, ensuring that Ohio State will continue to change lives and make the world a better place for generations. “It’s created a whole different culture at the university—a more sustainable culture,” Trott says.

Prime numbers

$668 million
raised for building projects across Ohio State campuses

811,000
donors, a record for any university

104
endowed positions gifted

29%
of the university’s 621,000 living alumni gave to the campaign

2,547
donors contributed $1.04 million to the Mirror Lake Restoration fund

$2.1 billion
raised to support research

$923 million
raised to support students

164 alumni
of the Volunteer Leader Academy, a program that nurtures the next generation of volunteers

Numbers as of mid-March, not final