Case Western Reserve University has secured a landmark $125 million commitment from the Mandel Foundation, marking the largest donation in the foundation’s 73-year history and the biggest single gift ever made to higher education in Ohio. This significant contribution reflects a long-standing partnership between the two institutions and highlights a strong commitment to advancing academic excellence and innovation.
The funding will be distributed across several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s academic and research ecosystem. A major portion will go toward constructing a new humanities building, enhancing scholarship opportunities for students, establishing a presidential discretionary fund, and expanding the university’s Experimental Humanities Program. These initiatives collectively aim to promote interdisciplinary learning, accessibility, and forward-thinking research.
Central to the investment is the development of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Building, a 50,000-square-foot facility designed to support human-centered digital scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement. The building will include advanced classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and dedicated research areas to foster creativity and innovation across disciplines.
The gift will also significantly expand scholarship capacity at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, enabling more students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue and complete their education, particularly in social work. This focus on accessibility underscores the foundation’s commitment to inclusive education.
Additionally, the establishment of the Morton L. Mandel Presidential Chair will provide flexible funding for university leadership, beginning with President Eric Kaler, to invest in strategic initiatives that drive innovation. Support for the Experimental Humanities Program will further enable fellows to explore solutions to societal challenges through integrated, ethical, and technology-driven approaches.
This latest contribution builds upon the Mandel Foundation’s previous donations of approximately $70 million to the university, bringing its total support to nearly $195 million. The continued partnership is expected to have a transformative impact on humanities education, nonprofit leadership, and student success at Case Western Reserve.
