Youngstown Foundation Announces $5 Million Gift to Youngstown State University
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Today the Youngstown Foundation proudly announces a $5 million gift to YSU’s Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign.
“This exceptional gift from the Youngstown Foundation highlights the incredible partnership between YSU and the community. The Foundation’s unwavering commitment to our students and to the future of this university is a testament to the remarkable progress we’ve made at YSU,” stated YSU President Bill Johnson. “The Youngstown Foundation is not only leaving a lasting legacy on our campus but also demonstrating the transformative power of philanthropy. With this generous contribution, we are ensuring that Kilcawley Center remains a cutting-edge space that will continue to inspire and empower our students for years to come.”
The Youngstown Foundation has long been a generous supporter of YSU. Previous donations have supported scholarship programs, the Williamson School of Business building, WYSU, and other campus initiatives. This latest $5 million contribution ensures that the Youngstown Foundation will join YSU’s prestigious Penguin Pinnacle, which is the highest recognition for its notable giving societies.
“The Youngstown Foundation has a strong legacy of supporting transformational projects in our community,” stated Youngstown Foundation President Lynnette Forde. “We believe that the revitalized Kilcawley Center will address a basic need that every student and visitor to the campus has, a welcoming and easily accessible place to think, share, plan and dream. The Youngstown Foundation is excited to support this important investment in the Kilcawley Center Project.”
The Kilcawley Center renovation is among the most significant projects in YSU’s history. The expanded and modernized space will offer students a dynamic environment to engage with one another, enhance their academic and extracurricular experiences, and build lasting connections with the campus community.
“As campaign chair, I express deep gratitude to the Youngstown Foundation, its Distribution Committee, and its President, Lynnette Forde, for this historic $5 million gift. This gift is made at a critical time in our campaign and is a challenge to our community, alumni and friends to continue this major effort to raise the needed funds to complete this project,” said Scott Schulick, chair of the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign. “It is a reflection of the Youngstown Foundation’s unwavering commitment to its mission to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Youngstown and the greater Mahoning Valley. We will be forever grateful for this gift, as it affirms the Kilcawley Family legacy on the YSU campus. The Youngstown Foundation’s vision and dedication will leave a lasting legacy for both YSU and the broader Youngstown community.”
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About the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign
The Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign is a comprehensive initiative designed to transform and modernize Kilcawley Center, which serves as the heart of student life at Youngstown State University. The renovation will provide flexible, collaborative spaces that promote innovation, creativity, and community-building. It is a critical investment in the future of YSU students, ensuring that Kilcawley remains a vibrant and essential space for generations to come.
About the Youngstown Foundation
Founded in 1918, the Youngstown Foundation is the largest and oldest grant-making foundation in the Mahoning Valley and one of the largest in Ohio. The Foundation is committed to local donors, nonprofit agencies, professional advisors, and community leaders who help shape the Foundation and its future.