Office of Student Life

Get Involved

There are many ways to be a philanthropist at Ohio State. Our students define philanthropy as Time, Talent, and Treasure. That means that philanthropy includes service and volunteering, random acts of kindness, and making donations to charity. The many ways that Buckeyes give to strengthen their communities are all a part of the culture of philanthropy that we value and aim to cultivate in the Student Philanthropy department.

While you can be involved in philanthropy in almost any area of campus, the following programs are housed within the Student Philanthropy department in the Office of Student Life. 

BuckeyeThon at The Ohio State University

BuckeyeThon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the state of Ohio which raises funds and awareness for the Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Every year, thousands of students participate in BuckeyeThon’s Dance Marathon, an annual celebration of the year’s fundraising efforts. There are many different ways to be involved in BuckeyeThon. Applications and registration will be open in the beginning of the fall semester. Learn more here.

Graduating Class Gift

The Graduating Class Gift strives to turn students’ affinity for Ohio State into philanthropy and establish their lifelong, philanthropic engagement with The Ohio State University. Each year, our Graduaing Class Gift Council members select a few funds or projects that directly benefit Ohio State students and our campus community as a whole. As you graduate and join the ranks of over 600,000 living alumni, you can pay it forward for the next generation of Ohio State students by making your Graduating Class Gift. Learn more here.

Beanie Drake Student Leader Endowment Fund

Established in 1950, the purpose of the Beanie Drake Scholarship is to provide funds to enable deserving students to participate in campus activities when need might otherwise make it difficult or impossible for them to do so. It is the only student administered scholarship at The Ohio State University and managed by the Student Board of Directors. Learn more here.