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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: money
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Mike Johnson
1/18/2026 1:12 PM
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
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OhioCatFan
1/18/2026 1:36 PM
Mike: I've seen a different figure for our overall endowment recently. It was approaching $1 billion. I don't think the branch campuses add much. Can't explain the discrepancy.
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Mike Johnson
1/18/2026 1:43 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Mike: I've seen a different figure for our overall endowment recently. It was approaching $1 billion. I don't think the branch campuses add much. Can't explain the discrepancy.
It would be nice if your $1 billion is correct. I can only say that the list I found was labled most recently reported totals.
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BuddyLee
1/18/2026 2:20 PM
Has there ever been any credible information about what OU or MAC football players in general are being paid by their schools (I believe up to $20 million budget is allowed now) or outside NIL collective funds? I have a pretty good idea about what many of these P4 school kids (OSU etc) are getting in the portal, through insider message boards and informed reporters.

It seems difficult for us to know what is needed to be competitive if there is no transparency about what money is available and being spent. Anyone have any informed speculation of the total cost of our roster and how we might compare in the overall MAC hierarchy?
Last Edited: 1/18/2026 2:20:54 PM by BuddyLee
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Alan Swank
1/18/2026 4:11 PM
https://give.ohio.edu/advancement/endowment
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Mike Coleman
1/18/2026 9:09 PM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Am I reading this right: $1.2 Billion for university endowment and another $800 million for OU Foundation as of June 2024?
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BillyTheCat
1/18/2026 10:47 PM
Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
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Alan Swank
1/19/2026 9:02 AM
Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
https://give.ohio.edu/advancement/endowment
Am I reading this right: $1.2 Billion for university endowment and another $800 million for OU Foundation as of June 2024?
In this report, the endowment was $800 million.
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Mike Johnson
1/19/2026 9:30 AM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
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Alan Swank
1/19/2026 10:13 AM
Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Many if not most endowment dollars are for specific purposes such as the Green and White Club fund for scholarships for volunteers in the athletics department. They have very specific guidelines as to what they can be used for. I'd be surprised if there are any that are general funds for athletics with no strings attached. Collectives have evolved outside the purview of universities to funnel money directly to athletes.
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BillyTheCat
1/19/2026 12:51 PM
Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Mike, sorry that I misunderstood your point. As Al stated though the vast majority of the endowment is earmarked for uses from the donors, they are generally restricted from being used for "operating" funds or to cover an immediate cash shortfall.
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Bobcat Jerry
1/20/2026 9:19 AM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
Where do I mail my check ?
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Mike, sorry that I misunderstood your point. As Al stated though the vast majority of the endowment is earmarked for uses from the donors, they are generally restricted from being used for "operating" funds or to cover an immediate cash shortfall.
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GoCats105
1/20/2026 3:28 PM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Many if not most endowment dollars are for specific purposes such as the Green and White Club fund for scholarships for volunteers in the athletics department. They have very specific guidelines as to what they can be used for. I'd be surprised if there are any that are general funds for athletics with no strings attached. Collectives have evolved outside the purview of universities to funnel money directly to athletes.
Per the 2024 financial report, here is what the endowment spent (donated? gifted? whatever the term) on athletics.

Total: $1,080,905
Salaries & Benefits: $201,457
Supplies & Services: $202,455
Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs: $592,708
Travel & Entertainment: $84,285

These figures are down from 2023, where the total was $1,554,293. The biggest expense that went down was Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs.
Last Edited: 1/20/2026 3:29:24 PM by GoCats105
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Alan Swank
1/21/2026 3:57 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Many if not most endowment dollars are for specific purposes such as the Green and White Club fund for scholarships for volunteers in the athletics department. They have very specific guidelines as to what they can be used for. I'd be surprised if there are any that are general funds for athletics with no strings attached. Collectives have evolved outside the purview of universities to funnel money directly to athletes.
Per the 2024 financial report, here is what the endowment spent (donated? gifted? whatever the term) on athletics.

Total: $1,080,905
Salaries & Benefits: $201,457
Supplies & Services: $202,455
Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs: $592,708
Travel & Entertainment: $84,285

These figures are down from 2023, where the total was $1,554,293. The biggest expense that went down was Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs.
Does anyone know how Bobcat Club dollars are set up? Are they a stand alone fund or part of the endowment dollars?
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Mike Johnson
1/21/2026 4:22 PM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Many if not most endowment dollars are for specific purposes such as the Green and White Club fund for scholarships for volunteers in the athletics department. They have very specific guidelines as to what they can be used for. I'd be surprised if there are any that are general funds for athletics with no strings attached. Collectives have evolved outside the purview of universities to funnel money directly to athletes.
Per the 2024 financial report, here is what the endowment spent (donated? gifted? whatever the term) on athletics.

Total: $1,080,905
Salaries & Benefits: $201,457
Supplies & Services: $202,455
Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs: $592,708
Travel & Entertainment: $84,285

These figures are down from 2023, where the total was $1,554,293. The biggest expense that went down was Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs.
Does anyone know how Bobcat Club dollars are set up? Are they a stand alone fund or part of the endowment dollars?
Alan, I would like to think that, when Bobcat Club dollars went to the Foundation, Bobcat Club officers specified how the dollars were to be used. Two of my non-profit involvements have turned over some of our dollars to foundations, and we have specified how those dollars are to be spent.
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BillyTheCat
1/21/2026 9:11 PM
Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Many if not most endowment dollars are for specific purposes such as the Green and White Club fund for scholarships for volunteers in the athletics department. They have very specific guidelines as to what they can be used for. I'd be surprised if there are any that are general funds for athletics with no strings attached. Collectives have evolved outside the purview of universities to funnel money directly to athletes.
Per the 2024 financial report, here is what the endowment spent (donated? gifted? whatever the term) on athletics.

Total: $1,080,905
Salaries & Benefits: $201,457
Supplies & Services: $202,455
Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs: $592,708
Travel & Entertainment: $84,285

These figures are down from 2023, where the total was $1,554,293. The biggest expense that went down was Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs.
Does anyone know how Bobcat Club dollars are set up? Are they a stand alone fund or part of the endowment dollars?
Alan, I would like to think that, when Bobcat Club dollars went to the Foundation, Bobcat Club officers specified how the dollars were to be used. Two of my non-profit involvements have turned over some of our dollars to foundations, and we have specified how those dollars are to be spent.
When originally set up the OBC went into what they called 2-accounts which could be carried over for special projects. OBC still greatly encourages un restricted giving, so the department can use it how they see fit.
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The Optimist
1/22/2026 8:19 PM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Many if not most endowment dollars are for specific purposes such as the Green and White Club fund for scholarships for volunteers in the athletics department. They have very specific guidelines as to what they can be used for. I'd be surprised if there are any that are general funds for athletics with no strings attached. Collectives have evolved outside the purview of universities to funnel money directly to athletes.
Per the 2024 financial report, here is what the endowment spent (donated? gifted? whatever the term) on athletics.

Total: $1,080,905
Salaries & Benefits: $201,457
Supplies & Services: $202,455
Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs: $592,708
Travel & Entertainment: $84,285

These figures are down from 2023, where the total was $1,554,293. The biggest expense that went down was Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs.
Does anyone know how Bobcat Club dollars are set up? Are they a stand alone fund or part of the endowment dollars?
Alan, I would like to think that, when Bobcat Club dollars went to the Foundation, Bobcat Club officers specified how the dollars were to be used. Two of my non-profit involvements have turned over some of our dollars to foundations, and we have specified how those dollars are to be spent.
When originally set up the OBC went into what they called 2-accounts which could be carried over for special projects. OBC still greatly encourages un restricted giving, so the department can use it how they see fit.
In this day and age I am not sure how anyone could trust *any* group to use funds wisely. Even the most well-intended organizations have fallen victim to corruption
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bobcatsquared
1/22/2026 8:43 PM
The Optimist wrote:expand_more
In this day and age I am not sure how anyone could trust *any* group to use funds wisely. Even the most well-intended organizations have fallen victim to corruption
I don't know, I've heard good things about this new Board of Peace. And only a cool $1,000,000,000 to be a permanent member.
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person
SBH
1/25/2026 8:36 AM
The Optimist wrote:expand_more
It might well be true that, among MAC schools and in particular those in Ohio, OU has less money to pay its football and basketball players or potential recruits.

That said, it took less than a minute to find the size of endowment funds for all Ohio universities, state assisted and private.

Overall, Ohio's endowment fund ranks 7th among all the state's universities and colleges. Here is how it stacks up among MAC schools in Ohio.

* Ohio - $579,349,840 (main campus only)
* Miami - $554,869,000
* Toledo -$297,373,929
* Akron - $223,554,119
* BG - $174,231,527
* Kent - $145,874,869

Clearly endowment money isn't likely to be used to pay players. Perhaps other Ohio schools have donors giving big money to pay players but who are skimping on donating to endowment funds.
And what do you think endowments are to be used for? What are the laws on them? By your logic here Harvard and Yale would be athletics power houses.
Billy, re your reference to my "logic." I don't see that I was offering logic. Rather relating some facts and speculating that OU's endowment won't be used to support athletics. As to any laws regarding endowments, I'm not sure there are such laws. Because of my involvement with several non-profits, I know that their endowments are used for a range of purposes. Which leads me to think that different entities can use endowment funds for a variety of purposes and, with board approval, change or expand those purposes.
Many if not most endowment dollars are for specific purposes such as the Green and White Club fund for scholarships for volunteers in the athletics department. They have very specific guidelines as to what they can be used for. I'd be surprised if there are any that are general funds for athletics with no strings attached. Collectives have evolved outside the purview of universities to funnel money directly to athletes.
Per the 2024 financial report, here is what the endowment spent (donated? gifted? whatever the term) on athletics.

Total: $1,080,905
Salaries & Benefits: $201,457
Supplies & Services: $202,455
Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs: $592,708
Travel & Entertainment: $84,285

These figures are down from 2023, where the total was $1,554,293. The biggest expense that went down was Occupancy, Maintenance & Repairs.
Does anyone know how Bobcat Club dollars are set up? Are they a stand alone fund or part of the endowment dollars?
Alan, I would like to think that, when Bobcat Club dollars went to the Foundation, Bobcat Club officers specified how the dollars were to be used. Two of my non-profit involvements have turned over some of our dollars to foundations, and we have specified how those dollars are to be spent.
When originally set up the OBC went into what they called 2-accounts which could be carried over for special projects. OBC still greatly encourages un restricted giving, so the department can use it how they see fit.
In this day and age I am not sure how anyone could trust *any* group to use funds wisely. Even the most well-intended organizations have fallen victim to corruption
Krazy Kats of the early to mid-80s a perfect example!
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