Ohio State University says it took in a near-record $404 million in donations in the past 12 months. The donations reported in the fiscal year ending June 30 were just shy of the record $407 million in 2011-12. Donations during that year included a $100 million pledge from L Brands chairman and CEO Leslie Wexner and the company's foundation. The new numbers marked an 8.0 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, when donors gave $374 million. Officials attributed the increase to more giving by alumni. They say the university focused on building stronger ties with alumni clubs across the country, and that the alumni association expanded its work to help alumni find jobs. Nearly 74,000 alumni donated over the past year.