Farmer Foundation Gives $100M to Miami Business School

Ohio employers and business students gain a larger pipeline as the school expands certification and global learning options.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy

Farmer Foundation Gives $100M to Miami Business School

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Farmer Family Foundation will contribute $100 million over the next decade to Miami University's Farmer School of Business, the largest gift in the university's 217-year history. Miami will receive $55 million of the total over the next three years, and the announcement comes from the foundation's ties to Cintas founder Richard T. Farmer.

Why it matters

Business schools compete for students, faculty, and employer partnerships, and a gift of this size expands the programs that feed talent into regional firms. For Ohio operators, a stronger Farmer School pipeline can shape the hiring and training options available in the state's business community.

The $100 million commitment is spread across a decade, with $55 million to be distributed in the first three years. The Farmer School of Business serves more than 5,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs.

The players

Miami University

A public research university in Oxford, Ohio, whose Farmer School of Business serves more than 5,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Farmer Family Foundation

A nonprofit established by Cintas founder Richard T. Farmer that funds education and business programs at Miami University.

Cintas

A large uniform rental and facility services company founded in 1968 by Richard T. Farmer, which employs a substantial business-services workforce across North America.

Gregory Crawford

President of Miami University, who announced the gift at the State of the University address.

The details

The Farmer Family Foundation, a nonprofit established by late alum and Cintas founder Richard T. Farmer, is funding the gift. Dick Farmer graduated from Miami in 1956 with a business degree and founded Cintas in 1968, while he and Joyce Farmer funded construction of the Farmer School building in 2005. The university says the funds could allow business students to earn industry certifications and access global experiential learning opportunities.

1956: Dick Farmer graduates from Miami University with a business degree.
1957: Joyce Farmer graduates from Miami University with an education degree.
1968: Dick Farmer founds Cintas.
2005: The Farmers fund construction of the Farmer School of Business building.
November 5, 2026: Miami University President Gregory Crawford announces the gift at the State of the University address.

Market Landscape

The gift extends the Farmer family's 2005 funding of the school building into a larger, decade-long commitment. It also reflects the role of founder-backed foundations in sustaining regional university business programs.

Operators who recruit business graduates in Ohio may see a stronger Miami pipeline as new programs and certifications take shape over the next three years. Companies that partner with university business schools should watch for announced program details as the $55 million is distributed.

The takeaway

The gift signals sustained founder-family investment in regional business education, and the three-year disbursement of $55 million is the near-term milestone to track. Operators interested in Miami graduates or certification-based training should watch for the specific programs that the university announces.