Company Profile
OSU Foundation
Company Overview
As the private fundraising organization for Oklahoma State University, the OSU Foundation exists to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.
The Foundation manages donor dollars to provide the most advanced educational opportunities available to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university. From scholarships to community programs, OSU donors generously support the spirit and tradition of Oklahoma State University.
In February 2010, Oklahoma State University publicly announced "Branding Success," an audacious $1 billion comprehensive campaign that includes initiatives in student support, endowed professorships and chairs, facility and program support. The campaign, which ended December 31, 2014, raised $1.2 billion nearly two years ahead of schedule.
Company History
The OSU Foundation — called the OSU Development Foundation until 1979 — has proudly supported the university’s fundraising needs for more than half a century. One of the top higher-education fundraising organizations in the Big 12 Conference, we started out with one development officer raising a few thousand dollars in 1961.
Two years later in 1963, our organization raised $106,622. The momentum built as all-time giving totals hit $1 million in 1967 and a second full-time employee was added in 1969.
Milestones continued throughout the 1970s, including 1976, when gifts in a single year surpassed $2 million for the first time. Among the highlights of the 1980s was the 1981 announcement of the first $1 million gift, which was provided by Floyd M. “Pete” and Helen L. “Pat” Bartlett of Tulsa. The following year, T. Boone Pickens made his first $1 million gift. He later made the three largest gifts in OSU’s history, with each at least $100 million.
In June 1994, we launched our first comprehensive campaign, Bringing Dreams to Life. It ended in June 2000, surpassing $260 million after an initial goal of $125 million. In December 2007, we launched its successor, Branding Success: The Campaign for Oklahoma State University. More than 100,000 donors helped the campaign exceed its audacious $1 billion goal nearly 15 months ahead of schedule, finishing with $1.2 billion in December 2014.
Today, our organization stays true to the mission of uniting donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence. Underlying every success is the loyal and true Cowboy nation, and for that, we are forever grateful.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Named nation's top medium-sized nonprofit on The NonProfit Times' Best Nonprofits to Work 2016 list (Ranked 2nd nonprofit overall)
Ranked 12th Best Places to Work in Oklahoma in 2012 by okc.BIZ
CASE Award in Marketing & Communications, Donor Relations
America's Healthiest Campus Certified Healthy Department
Benefits
The OSU Foundation believes in providing a healthy work environment that promotes a balanced professional and personal life. By offering an attractive benefits package to all of our employees, the Foundation strives to be the Employer of Choice within the Stillwater community and surrounding area.
The OSU Foundation Benefits Package Benefits Summary includes:
OSU tuition reimbursement
Customizable health plan
Company matching gift policy
Available dental, vision and life insurance plans
An attractive retirement package
Paid holidays, vacation and personal leave
Wellness program
A Staff Advisory Board, comprised of a group of Foundation employees, opens communication between leadership and staff to create a channel for feedback on how the Foundation is performing at all levels and suggestions for improvements.
At the OSU Foundation we pride ourselves on our culture of appreciation and gratitude, and we reward our employees for their outstanding efforts and hard work.
Additionally, the OSU Foundation offers employees a variety of opportunities to enjoy themselves outside of regular office hours. Staff teams participate in bowling, golf and volleyball tournaments showing their competitive spirit and comradeship. Bi-Monthly staff meetings and annual staff retreats are fun and informative events that reward and motivate the entire Foundation as they work to meet campaign goals.