It all started with a simple invitation. Fifteen years ago, a friend invited Debra Davis ’81 to attend a Women & Philanthropy event at the Thompson Library. What she experienced that day would shape her philanthropic journey for years to come.
“I was really impressed with the fact that it was women pooling their money and trying to make a difference for others through scholarships and grants,” Davis recalls. “And I found some of the research projects just absolutely fascinating.”
That initial draw has grown into a profound commitment. This year, Davis made a landmark $150,000 gift to the Women & Philanthropy Scholarship Fund through her Davis Homan Family Fund at The Columbus Foundation—the largest individual gift in the program’s 20-year history. The endowed gift will support generations of Ohio State students.
What makes Davis’ dedication so powerful is her understanding of the ripple effects philanthropy creates. Throughout her tenure as one of Women & Philanthropy’s most engaged members, she has seen firsthand how the program's support serves as a catalyst for larger change. One of her favorite projects the group has invested in over the years is Families Flourish (formerly Move to Prosper). That initial funding helped establish the organization, enabling Families Flourish to secure state and foundation funding, supporting dozens of central Ohio families working to create pathways to success for their children. “When I talk to the Families Flourish team, they always have wonderful updates about how talented the children are and how they’re excelling in their new schools and neighborhoods,” Davis shares.
This understanding of impact drives her philanthropy. Davis lights up when she talks about meeting scholarship recipients at Women & Philanthropy events. “These young women are dynamic. They are able to do extraordinary things because they don’t have to worry about the expense of their college tuition,” she explains. “They want to change the world for the better, and to be able to go to college without the financial burden just allows them more opportunity to develop their talents and skills.”
Davis is equally inspired by former scholarship recipients who share how they've built careers and found ways to give back . “It’s fascinating to hear about the effect that Women & Philanthropy had on these exceptional professionals several years on from their time at Ohio State,” she says. “That’s what it’s all about. Nothing is more inspiring than that.”
When asked about her thoughts on women’s philanthropic leadership overall, her belief in the importance is evident and powerful. “Women are working these days, we’re doing things, we have money and we need to take that money and make a difference in the world,” Davis explains. “Women want to use the power that we have—the power of our money and the power of their knowledge—to make that difference and to create opportunities. Women & Philanthropy is one of the places that allows us to do that.”
She shares that what she values most is how Women & Philanthropy members get to decide where their money is spent and who receives scholarships and grants. The program has supported diverse initiatives, from nonprofit operations to brain cancer research to climate-resilience solutions. “Sometimes we help researchers get a start on their projects, or we provide resources to help close gaps that other funding might not have addressed,” Davis notes, highlighting how even established researchers with federal funding often need additional, unrestricted support to complete critical work.
While Davis also supports Pelotonia—a cause personal to her as a cancer survivor, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Cristo Rey Columbus High School, Women & Philanthropy remains her primary philanthropic focus. She sees both accomplishment and promise in the program.
“When I look at Women & Philanthropy, and consider how long we’ve been in existence, and the amount of money that we’ve been able to raise, I’m amazed to see the good things that money has done for Ohio State, for research and for scholarships,” she reflects.
As Women & Philanthropy celebrates its 20th anniversary, Davis’ transformative gift ensures that future generations of students will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and one day pay forward to boost other Buckeyes, continuing a legacy of impact for the next 20 years and beyond.