Alpaugh family legacy continues
$10 million estate gift from Alpaugh Foundation benefits generations of students
A $10 million estate gift from the Alpaugh Foundation will support the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati, continuing the extraordinary legacy the Alpaugh family began half a century ago.
The gift reflects a lifetime of commitment from Peter Alpaugh, whose father, Walter “Pete” Alpaugh, was one of the center’s original founders in 1976. From its earliest days, the Alpaugh family has believed passionately in the center’s mission: that every child deserves access to financial and economic education that can change the trajectory of their lives.
My father believed strongly that understanding money and the economy helps young people make better choices throughout their lives.
Peter Alpaugh
“The Alpaugh Family Economics Center has been important to my family since the beginning,” said Peter Alpaugh. “My father believed strongly that understanding money and the economy helps young people make better choices throughout their lives. This planned gift is intended to honor that belief and to help ensure the center’s work continues for years to come.”
Prior to this estate gift, the Alpaughs have donated more than $6 million to the university, primarily supporting the center and the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services.
“This gift represents the continuation of a promise the Alpaugh family made to this center 50 years ago,” said Brad Evans, co-executive director of the Alpaugh Family Economics Center. “We are profoundly grateful to Peter and Vicki for ensuring that the work the Alpaugh family cares so deeply about will continue long into the future.”
Peter Alpaugh has supported the center for decades, through leadership, engagement, encouragement, and multiple major gifts that have strengthened and grown its programs. His newest commitment, made thoughtfully and generously as part of his estate planning, will allow the center to expand its reach and impact for generations to come.
Tens of thousands of Ohio students take part each year in the center's programs. Photo/Provided.
Tens of thousands of Ohio students take part each year in the center’s in-school education, investing and entrepreneurship programs, with hundreds of Ohio teachers benefiting from the center’s professional development programs. Through the $martPath online curriculum, millions of students in 50 states and more than 80 countries have built essential financial and economic literacy skills.
The center’s economic research team extends that impact by working with dozens of clients annually, providing analysis and insights that help communities and organizations plan wisely and make informed decisions.
“I have immense gratitude for Peter Alpaugh and his family’s longstanding partnership and dedication to our university and the Alpaugh Family Economics Center,” said UC President Neville G. Pinto. “This gift underscores Peter’s unwavering belief in the center’s programs and his genuine commitment to our region’s students and teachers.”
“As a former UC Foundation trustee, Peter personally understands the impact philanthropy has on future generations,” said Rich Bundy, UC Foundation president. “He has been a tremendous supporter of our Bearcat family beyond his philanthropy, too, sharing his knowledge, leadership and time.”
For the staff and leadership at the center, this estate commitment is especially meaningful.
“Peter Alpaugh has always cared about this center in a way that goes far beyond philanthropy,” said Sue Heilmayer, center co-executive director. “Every year, he’s at our Market Madness event, chatting with student entrepreneurs and buying the products they’ve worked hard to create in classroom businesses. He joins our professional development workshops, not as an observer, but as someone genuinely interested in teachers’ stories. He’s also a deeply engaged member of several of our board committees, regularly contributing ideas at meetings. This planned gift reflects his values, his family’s legacy with the center, and his belief in what this work makes possible for future generations. We are honored by his trust and profoundly grateful for his continued confidence in us.”
Featured image at top: Peter Alpaugh, Lisa Huffman, dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services and Sue Heilmayer, Alpaugh Family Economics Center co-executive director, at Market Madness 2025. Photo/Provided.
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