Oklahoma State University Foundation Announces
Another Successful Fundraising Year
University receives record planned giving, annual giving,
general scholarship, endowment commitments
The generous support of alumni and friends has made the fiscal year ending June 30 another outstanding fundraising year for Oklahoma State University Foundation (OSUF) with gifts totaling more than $85 million. Fundraising efforts were punctuated by several record-breaking totals secured in the areas of planned giving, endowments and annual giving with more than $349,000 secured for the general scholarship fund.
“The success of OSU’s fundraising demonstrates how far our university has come over the years and means great promise for the years ahead,” says interim OSU System CEO and President Marlene Strathe. “This promise is ensured by the many OSU supporters who have demonstrated forethought and commitment to sustain the university’s progress well into the future. We applaud and thank all of our many supporters, and I congratulate our entire Foundation staff on a job well done.”
The Foundation secured more than $54.6 million in planned giving commitments, which more than triples the largest amount the university has ever received within one year.
Annual giving totals also eclipsed $1 million for the first time in the organization’s history and grew by 51 percent from last year. The annual campaign was changed in 2006 to focus on securing funds for the specific needs of OSU’s colleges, campuses and programs.
“This tremendous success is a collective effort from our President, our Board of Governors, faculty, staff, students and volunteers, all whom honor Oklahoma State University with their time and treasure,” says OSU Foundation chairman, Ken Greiner.
Of the $85 million raised in the last year, $14.4 million was designated for endowments which will provide permanent support to the university. OSU’s endowment has doubled in the last three years and is now valued at more than $300 million.
OSU Foundation officials attribute the continued success to the increased commitment from alumni and friends of the university in the areas of planned giving, as well as to a donor-centric fundraising strategy that includes initiatives from the university's academic leaders.
“We continue to build on the momentum that is so evident at OSU, and our fundraising success is an accomplishment shared by the entire university,” says Kirk Jewell, OSU Foundation president and CEO. “At a time when state appropriations account for a smaller and smaller portion of OSU’s budget and tuition and fees continue to rise, private support provides the margin needed to support our students, faculty and programs.”
Jewell said the fundraising total for OSU reflected gifts, pledges and private grants from corporations, foundations and more than 34,000 individuals.
More than 60 percent of gifts received were from alumni, more than 20 percent were from friends, seven percent were from corporations and foundations and thirteen percent were from other sources.
Select gift highlights include:
- A $20 million life insurance gift received from Houston alumni Chuck and Kim Watson will benefit the Spears School of Business and the College of Education equally. The Watsons also provided $2 million toward a new business school building through the naming of the school’s trading floor.
- A $2.5 million pledge made to the College of Education by alumnus Stephen Birch to endow faculty positions in teacher education and aviation education will be matched by the state.
- A $1 million gift from John E. Kirkpatrick will go toward a new Agriculture Resource Center on the OSU-OKC campus.
- A $500,000 payment made by ConocoPhillips was the first installment of a $2 million commitment to fund a far-reaching Oklahoma State University sensor research facility.
The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.
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