Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes Grants Program

Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes Grants Program
A Way for Buckeye Nation to Support Alumni in Need!
As Ohio State alumni, we take great pride in our alma mater. Because we share this special bond —and because “paying forward” is a beloved Buckeye tradition – when we see a Buckeye in need, we rush to help.
How Does the Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes Program Work?
Funded solely through contributions from generous alumni and friends, the Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes program award up to $1,000 to Ohio State alumni who find themselves set back by personal financial hardships such as natural disaster, job loss, or unexpected illness or injury.
Alumni can demonstrate need by completing a brief online application. Applications are regularly reviewed by The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Office of the President and CEO. We aim to fulfill grant award payments within 14 business days of approval.
“This was the easiest, quickest and most empathetic process I could ever imagine... I simply presented an outline for why I needed that ‘helping hand’ and there stood my brother and sister alumni members ready to assist.”
You may qualify for a Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes grant if:
- You are an alumnus of The Ohio State University, and
- You can demonstrate need, and
- You or an immediate family member have not received a Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes grant within the last 24 months, and
- If you are a past Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes grant recipient, you have experienced a new event or hardship.

“You can never pay back, so you should always try to pay forward.”
Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes grants are intended to provide support for individual Ohio State alumni experiencing a personal financial setback. Businesses and organizations are not qualified to receive a Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes grant.
Individual alumni may apply for a grant. Should an individual be unable to make their own submission, an immediate family member may submit on their behalf.
Approval of grant submissions are at the discretion of the President and CEO of the Alumni Association. Because this program is funded solely by alumni and friends, the availability of grant dollars may vary.
Typical financial hardships may include, but are not limited to:
- Sudden calamitous event brining great damage, loss, or destruction to personal property or primary residence
- Serious medical condition requiring hospitalization, onset of a critical illness, or diagnosis of a disabling or chronic disease
- Unexpected job loss
- Unforeseen situation requiring continuing education or certification
- Other unexpected or unique personal or family hardship