Monies for scholarship awards are generated from two funds.  The first and largest fund is the Club’s Endowed Scholarship Account.  The Scholarship Endowment Fund currently has approximately $285,000 and the income earned from investments is the largest portion of funding for annual scholarships.  These funds, held by The Ohio State University Foundation, generate income to be used for scholarship activities, but the principal cannot be used.  The second fund is the Club’s Current Use Scholarship Account.  Monies in this account are generated by various fund-raisers that occur throughout the year.  At least annually, monies in the Current Use Account are sent to OSU to supplement scholarship awards for Collier County students.  The Club normally awards $15,000 - $20,000 of scholarships each year to deserving honors students.  Of course, this amount depends on the continued financial support of Naples Buckeyes members and friends to the Endowment account and fund-raising activities. 

Members and friends of Naples Buckeyes are invited and encouraged to continue their generous support of scholarship activities.  Donations for the Scholarship Endowment Account should be sent directly to OSU with a completed Gift Processing Form, notation of donation for the OSU Alumni Club of Naples FL Endowed Scholarship Fund and the account number for the Endowment Fund, #200136.  These donations should be sent to Leslie A. Smith, Program Assistant, The Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH  43210.  Leslie can be reached at 614-292-2371 or 800-862-5827 or via e-mail at LSmith@ohiostatealumni.org.  As this is done, OSU will credit the individual donor’s account and then will notify the Club of donors who contribute.  Sometimes a personal donation is matched with funds from an individual’s company or organization.  If this is the case, please contact Leslie for proper accounting.    

The Club’s Current Use Scholarship Account is maintained from fund raising activities at the local Naples Buckeyes events.  Fund raising activities include raffles at football games, clothing sales, fruit sales and silent auctions, as well as contributions made for game packages.  Your support of fund-raising activities at local Naples Buckeyes events allows the Club to supplement awards from endowment proceeds with additional scholarship monies.  In addition, adding a contribution to annual dues for scholarship is another method of supporting the Current Use Scholarship Account.

As always, any and all support you can give for continuing this vital role for Collier County honors students is appreciated.  If anyone has additional questions, please contact the Scholarship Chair, Dr. Bruce Mousa at 239-593-9196 (Naples home) or 614-361-4418 (cell) or via e-mail at scholarships@naplesbuckeyes.com.