Staff report

With its latest gift of $3 million to Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center campaign, the Cafaro family has surpassed $5 million in donations to the university.

The university made the announcement Wednesday.

“We are so very pleased to continue our long-time support of YSU,” said William A. Cafaro, co-president of The Cafaro Company. “I remember with pride how my grandfather made the donation that supported the creation of Cafaro House on campus. We are thrilled to be able to help the university move the Kilcawley Center into the future.”

William A. Cafaro, a 1992 YSU graduate, is the grandson of company founder William M. Cafaro and son of former company president Anthony Cafaro Sr.

The family’s support to YSU can be traced to the 1960s, according to the university. William M. Cafaro backed Youngstown University’s effort to become a state public university in 1968. He was a co-founder and one of the YSU Foundation’s first board members.

His son, Anthony Sr., is a 1968 YSU graduate, a former YSU Foundation board member and a trustee emeritus of the foundation. His wife, Phyllis, served on the campaign cabinet for the recently completed YSU Centennial Capital Campaign.

Their sons, Anthony Jr. and William A., lead The Cafaro Company as co-presidents. John J. Cafaro and his wife, Jan, are ardent supporters of the university. Their daughter, Capri, is a former university trustee and current YSU Foundation trustee.

The gift places the Cafaro family into the Penguin Pinnacle, which accounts for contributions to the university from donors of $5 million or greater.

“We are thankful and deeply grateful for the Cafaro family’s continued support of our university,” YSU President Bill Johnson said. “This gift reflects their dedication to YSU’s student community and further acknowledges their belief in the critical role YSU plays in the social, cultural and economic vitality of our region.”

Scott Schulick, chairman of the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign, said the donation comes at an important time in the campaign.

“The Cafaro Family understands and appreciates the connection between the advancement of YSU and our region’s economic development,” he said. “They are long-time friends of the University with a legacy begun by the late William Cafaro.

“This gift shines as an example and a challenge to our community to make a renovated Kilcawley Center a reality for our students and community.”

The Cafaro Foundation is a charitable entity established in memory of William M. Cafaro and his wife, Alyce, by their children, Anthony M. Cafaro Sr., John J. Cafaro and Flora M. Cafaro. For more than a half century, William, Alyce and brother John A. Cafaro supported churches, schools, hospitals and other charitable causes.

The Cafaro Company is one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate development firms, having developed more than 30 million square feet of buildings in 14 states.