WASHINGTON - Some of the nation's biggest corporations - and some familiar names from Cincinnati - have donated money for George W. Bush's inaugural party.

        Inaugural planners announced Friday they have received more than $20 million in private contributions, mostly in $100,000 donations from corporate interests.

        All the money has been raised over the past three weeks, a compressed timetable caused by the delay in determining the election winner.

        “We're very near our goal,” said Susan Phalen, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which had hoped to raise $20 million to $30 million.

        The inaugural committee voluntarily limited contributions to $100,000 from individuals or corporations. Carl Lindner Jr., chairman of American Financial Group Inc., gave $100,000. The corporation also gave $100,000, according to the committee.

        A handful of executives and companies from Greater Cincinnati also donated money, according to a list of contributors posted on the committee's Web site.

        John Paxton, the former chief executive of Telxon Corp., a wireless computer product company bought out last year, gave $100,000. Cinergy Services, a subsidiary of Cinergy,contributed $100,000; as did Convergys Corp., a billing and customer management services company. Two property developers, Robert C. Rhein Interests and the Brisben Companies, each gave $100,000.

        Winchester Investments-Cole Inc., which has sold property in the Cincinnati area, donated $100,000.

        Previously reported as donating $100,000 each were Richard T. Farmer of Cintas Inc. and Robert Castellini of Castellini Co.

        Among corporate contributors were Coca-Cola, Visa, Microsoft, Chevron, Phillip Morris, Occidental Petroleum, General Motors, Dow Chemical, General Electric, Archer Daniels Midland, America Online, Lockheed Martin and Major League Baseball.

        William O. DeWitt Jr. and Mercer Reynolds III, two Cincinnati investors and longtime friends of Mr. Bush, co-chair the inaugural committee, which is overseeing many of the activities to celebrate the new administration.

        Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench will be master of ceremonies at a black-tie, candlelight fund-raising dinner at Union Station Thursday evening.

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