Ways to Give
100% of every donation is invested in the Park you LOVE
Make A Difference Have An Impact Leave A Legacy
Donations to the Oglebay Foundation provide for Oglebay’s future while supporting the world’s most outstanding municipal park system. When you make a gift to the Oglebay Foundation, you strengthen your connection to the park you love and become part of a community of people who care passionately about family, tradition, neighbors, youth, conservation, health, and beauty of this incredible place.
Generous contributions from individuals like you help provide the funds necessary to operate, maintain, and grow Oglebay and Wheeling Park. Your gift today is tomorrow’s legacy.
Gifts may be made online as either a one-time gift or a monthly, recurring sustaining support. You may also mail a check to the Oglebay Foundation or contact the Oglebay Foundation at 304-243-4166 to make a gift over the phone. These gifts can be designated toward a specific program or facility in the parks or may be given in honor or memory of a loved one.
If you are interested in learning more about planned gifts, bequests, sponsorships, and naming opportunities, don’t hesitate to contact the Oglebay Foundation by phone at 304-243-4166 or via email: foundation@oglebay.com for more specific information.
Current Projects
Accessibility
Access to the Parks provides scholarships to families based on financial need. This program supports about 1,500 children and an accompanying adult each year for year-round recreational activities…
Animals
As the only Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo in West Virginia, the Good Zoo provides countless educational programs on the property and in the community…
Earl Oglebay Sculpture
Celebrating Earl W. Oglebay Earl William Oglebay (1849-1926) Born in Bridgeport, Ohio, and raised in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), Earl Oglebay became a leading industrialist in banking and iron ore, founding Oglebay, Norton & Company. In 1900, he purchased Waddington Farm, transforming it into a model estate for agricultural research. Over 25 years, he […]
Future Trees
In the 1920s, the Oglebay family supported the planting of over 362,000 saplings that matured into the picturesque wooded hills of today. Over the decades, environmental impacts like disease…
Golf
Golf courses were being cut at Oglebay before the ink was dry on the City’s acceptance of Waddington Farm as Oglebay Park. Today, Oglebay Golf offers the largest First Tee Program in our region as well…
Keep Oglebay Blooming
Keep Oglebay Blooming Garden beds adorn most of the entrances to buildings across the Park. A concentrated collection can be found along the historic Hilltop, the Bissonnette Gardens, a stunning 16-acre public garden recreating the early 1900s gardens of Earl Oglebay’s summer home. Featuring over 30 flower beds, colorful hanging baskets, fountains, and a whimsical […]
Lions at the Good Zoo
As the only Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo in West Virginia, the Good Zoo provides countless educational programs on the property and in the community…
Pickleball
Bring More Pickleball to Oglebay Join the community of like-minded donors supporting pickleball. Your donation will support pickleball courts and programming while supporting the fastest-growing racquet sport around. Make a gift of support today.
Skating Rink
As the only public ice facility in the Upper Ohio Valley, Wheeling Park’s JB Chambers Memorial Ice Rink is used by 600 Wheeling Amateur Hockey players, 125 Wheeling Skate Club members, six hockey teams…
Skiing
SKI Support Ski We’ve raised $100,000 of our $300,000 goal for 2023. A generous donor has agreed to match your gift dollar for dollar through June 15, 2023. SKIING AT OGLEBAY In preparation for the upcoming season the park must: Replace the Snow Groomer Service all Snow Guns Add New Rental Equipment Complete Lift Maintenance […]
Tennis
Our proud tennis tradition dates to the first Oglebay courts, built-in 1939. Improvements over the years have included additional facilities including new and renovated…
Wellness Programming
Wellness Programming Exciting Wellness Programming Coming to Oglebay & Wheeling Park in 2025 Our parks have long been a place of recreation and relaxation. In 2025 we’re expanding our wellness programs to help you achieve your health and fitness goals, no matter where you are on your wellness journey. Whether you’re looking to kickstart a […]
Power of Giving
Generous financial contributions from individuals like you help provide the necessary funds to operate and grow Oglebay and Wheeling Park.
Whether that support occurs now or in the future, it’s important that we have the opportunity to thank you for your support because of its impact on the Parks, so please let us know your plans.
Unrestricted Giving
The most powerful gift to the Oglebay Foundation is one where you the donor allow the Foundation’s board of directors the discretion to use your gift where the need is the greatest. This flexibility may allow the Foundation to match donations from other donor sources such as federal, state and local grants which often require the Foundation to provide matching funds, or to resolve an unfunded emergency.
Annual Giving
“The parks have always been outstanding and so efficiently run. When you give a gift to the parks, you know it will go entirely toward the project for which it was meant.”
– Dr. Robert Sonneborn on his family’s long relationship with Wheeling’s parks.
Annual Membership Benefits
Individuals and organizations donating $25 or more a year receive an annual calendar and reports of progress at the park.
Annual donors of $100 or more are Friends of Oglebay, receiving additional benefits including an annual subscription to the quarterly newsletter, American Ideal.
$100 – $999
As Heartfelt Supporters with gifts of
up to $999, Friends of Oglebay are par of a cherished community who play an essential part of our donor family — collectively embodying the spirit of giving that drives our parks forward.
“American Ideal” Keepsake issues
Invitations to the Friends of Oglebay Breakfast
$1,000 – $2,027
Members are our Guardians of Hospitality play a vital role in sustaining Earl Oglebay’s warm and welcoming spirit. Your generosity at this level brings you closer to the heart of our community, offering meaningful connections and memorable experiences.
Prior level benefits included
Special invitation to our Salute to Patriotism Event
$2,028 – $4,999
Members of the 2028 Circle are Pioneers of Tomorrow. Embrace your role shaping Oglebay’s future and provide support for the exciting centennial on our horizon. This circle illustrates that today’s donors are part of the WPC’s next century.
Prior level benefits included
Access to Oglebayfest Hospitality
$5,000 and up
Gifts of $5000 or more, elevate you to Park Stewards dedicated to continuing the work of W.E. Stone. Your extraordinary commitment ensures excellence in our parks and inspires others to follow Mr. Stone’s lead to enhance the quality of life in the Ohio Valley
Prior level benefits included
Invitation to the exquisite Fine Wine Food & Friends gathering
Illuminating Light Up Night Invitation
Earl W. Oglebay Legacy Society
Members of this society continue the Visionary legacy of Earl W. Oglebay by including Oglebay, Wheeling Park or the Good Zoo in their estate plans. Your impactful dedication leaves a lasting impact on our parks and the generations of families and visitors who use them. Your support is transformative.
Prior level benefits included
Invitation to Legacy Society Luncheon, where we honor your visionary generosity
Forever Yours
Your commitment, no matter the level, adds a special touch to our Oglebay family, and we are deeply grateful for your support. Together, we create the resources needed for our beloved park. Thank you for being a part of our next 100 years, supporting “Forever Yours: The Campaign for an Enduring Oglebay.”