You will find many advantages to working with us to support higher education at OSU, including:
The size of your gift is entirely up to you. Each donation, regardless of its value, is gratefully accepted. Every dollar given to OSU has the potential to do great things because it helps improve the university’s most valuable resources — instruction, research, and extension — to benefit the public.
Some donors fulfill their charitable goals by making gifts that don’t require a lot of money immediately, such as a planned estate gift, naming the OSU Foundation as a beneficiary on a life-insurance policy, or donating an asset as an in-kind gift.
Many companies offer employees — and sometimes spouses and retirees — a gift-matching benefit that multiplies their donations to higher education. Your company may allow you to submit your request online, through an automated phone system or with paper forms that you submit to us. Please visit your human resources office to learn more about gift-matching or contact us to see if your gift qualifies. To view a complete list of corporations participating in a matching-gift program, search here.
When you establish an endowment, you are making a gift that grows over time and provides ongoing support for your orange passion. The funds are invested instead of being spent immediately. Part of the investment’s earnings are directed toward the need you choose, such as scholarships, faculty development or program expenses, and a percentage of the earnings are allocated to the Foundation to support the ongoing operational costs associated with investing, managing and distributing funds to OSU. The rest of the earnings are reinvested to continue increasing the impact of your generosity.
Our endowment funds are invested and managed by our Investment Office and overseen by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees Finance and Investment Committee. Each spring, the committee meets to review the endowment’s performance and policies to determine the amount to be provided for each endowed scholarship and program.
Yes. We encourage you to support your orange passion by designating your gift as you wish. That is as simple as writing a note on a check, reply card or other correspondence. Your gift’s designation is confirmed on the donor receipt.
If you need help directing your gift, our staff is happy to provide information about OSU’s greatest needs, including those for each college, campus or department.
Yes. Your university donation can support a lab, library, lecture hall or just about anything else on campus. That includes funding for construction, maintenance, equipment, supplies and renovation. We can provide information about current projects that would greatly benefit from additional support.
Yes. You can pledge a monthly, quarterly or annual contribution. You can establish your university pledge on this site or by contacting our gift processing department.
We enjoy publicizing gifts to recognize generosity. This good news reminds others about the increasing importance of supporting OSU. Publicity could include news releases, articles in newspapers, feature stories in Foundation or OSU publications or other appropriate recognition. However, we respect your desire for anonymity to the full extent allowed under Oklahoma’s Open Records Act. Just let us know of your wishes when you make your donation.
Yes. Many donors give to honor a loved one or special individual. Just let us know that your gift is in honor or memory of another person, or if you wish to give in another’s name. If you do not wish to remain anonymous, we will then notify the honoree or that person’s family of your tribute.
Unrestricted gifts provide funding that is not limited to a specific OSU program, college or department. These gifts address the university’s greatest needs, whatever those may be. Restricted gifts support the specific purpose you choose, such as a particular scholarship or program.
Although we greatly appreciate all gifts, unrestricted funds are critical because they allow OSU to address unexpected challenges, take advantage of unique opportunities and meet the modern challenges of higher education.
Your check should be made out to the Oklahoma State University Foundation. In the memo section you can indicate the fund name, department or purpose you are supporting. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749.
We use an SSL Certificate to protect our online gift donation page. This prevents your personal or financial information from falling into the wrong hands.
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information that is sent to the server using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology.
A certificate serves as an electronic "passport" that establishes an online entity's credentials when doing business on the Web. When an Internet user attempts to send confidential information to a Web server, the user's browser accesses the server's digital certificate and establishes a secure connection.
An "https://" prefix in the URL and a key or padlock icon in the browser's status bar indicate that a website is secure.
Gifts to the Oklahoma State University Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax attorney or financial adviser to determine if your gift is tax-deductible.
We generate a gift receipt and mail it to you for tax purposes usually within the week we receive your gift. If you have not received a formal acknowledgement within three weeks, please contact us at 1-800-622-4678. Please consult your tax attorney or financial adviser to determine instructions and proper tax credits available for your gift.
Yes. Your donation of equipment or supplies is referred to as a gift-in-kind. If you submit documentation such as a receipt, invoice or other appraisal instrument, we will establish a value for the donation. That value will be reflected on your gift receipt.
Yes. Our staff is knowledgeable, discreet and happy to assist you in any way possible. We also have development officers who work closely with OSU units and donors to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence. For more information about giving opportunities, please call us at 800.622.4678.
We are organized to provide the management, reporting and stewardship services that you require as a donor. Central management of these services increases efficiency. Donors also receive many benefits from this structure, including:
An OSU Board of Regents resolution formally endorsed gifts intended to support OSU being directed to the OSU Foundation.
OSU receives about 20 percent of its annual budget from state appropriations. That is consistent with the long, national trend of institutions becoming state-assisted rather than state-supported. OSU addresses most of its expenses from other sources such as tuition and fees, federal and state grants, and the generosity of donors.
Your gifts increase OSU’s ability to offer a quality education as affordably as possible by reducing the reliance on tuition and fees. Every dollar helps OSU support students, hire and keep great professors, build world-class facilities and establish premier programs.
OSU achieves excellence by uniting donor and university passions and priorities.
Both organizations work together as non-profits serving OSU and the OSU family, but they have different missions, goals and operations.
The Alumni Association represents more than 200,000 alumni living throughout the world and 100 alumni chapters, watch clubs and societies. Its mission is to serve its members and alumni, supporting the needs of OSU, its students, faculty, staff and friends.
The Foundation is the fundraising arm of the university, organized to provide the management, reporting and stewardship services that you require as a donor. Our mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence. While we interact primarily with alumni, our audience includes other supporter such as corporations, foundations, students, parents and many other friends of the university.
Unlike state-appropriated funds, your charitable donation can be invested for long-term growth when given to the OSU Foundation. The gift’s return creates greater support for the university over time, and your contributions qualify as a tax-deductible gift. By giving through the OSU Foundation you are creating more flexibility for OSU as it funds areas designated through your philanthropy. By resolution of the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, all private gifts to OSU must be given through the Foundation.
The OSU Foundation is the private fundraising organization for Oklahoma State University, as designated by the OSU Board of Regents. Our mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence. We exist solely for the benefit of OSU.
We are a private, non-profit organization as determined by IRS 501 (c)(3) documentation. We are separate from Oklahoma State University. As a private corporation, we are uniquely qualified to address your specific needs and concerns as a donor.
Oklahoma State University sets our long-term and annual fundraising priorities.
Our president directs operations under policies established by the Board of Trustees. These trustees are volunteers chosen for their professional expertise and support of OSU. They are elected to four-year terms by members of the Board of Governors, a group of alumni and friends who provide significant financial support and volunteer services to OSU and the Foundation. Governors are elected for six-year terms. OSU’s president participates in Board of Trustees meetings, and other OSU administrators advise various trustee committees.
We are dedicated to maintaining public confidence and private trust. In the interest of transparency, we provide information about our organization. This includes:
Our Board of Trustees provides oversight as we maintain donor confidentiality and follow proper business practices regarding human resources, legal, real estate, financial and other matters. We also meet and often exceed all regulatory requirements at the federal, state and local levels.
Our fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30. All private gifts designated to benefit Oklahoma State University are managed according to this fiscal year.
No. Since we exist solely to support Oklahoma State University, we don’t grant funds to outside organizations. Official OSU student organizations seeking funding for an academic or extracurricular expense may contact us for advice about fundraising opportunities.
The OSU Cowboy Callers serve as our public face. They are often the only contact some donors have with the university. Student callers work year-round to seek funding for OSU’s greatest needs. These students are regularly encouraged to continue serving OSU by positive interactions with the university’s alumni and friends. Cowboy Callers can assist you with initial gift information or refer you to the appropriate development officer for more detailed information.
Our staff is dedicated to providing accurate information. This includes numerous publications offered to donors, alumni, media and the general public online and through our Marketing and Donor Experiences department. Among these publications are:
Simply contact us at 800.622.4678 or info@OSUgiving.com.
Indicating how your gift should be spent is as simple as writing a note on a check, reply card or other correspondence. The designation is confirmed on the donor receipt. At least 95%* of each gift goes directly toward the donor’s designated area of preference, with the remaining portion allocated to the Foundation to support continued efforts to raise future gifts, and invest and manage existing private donations.
*Gift allocations apply to new contributions and commitments made on or after July 1, 2017. Donors completing pledge payments or deductions established prior to July 1, 2017, will continue with the same allocations agreed upon at establishment. This policy does not supersede existing gift allocation practices for realized estate gifts and gifts of minerals, and does not apply to gift-in-kind donations retained by OSU.
The OSU Foundation operates as a separate 501(c)(3), focused on raising, investing and distributing funds for Oklahoma State University. To protect donor information, Foundation services must be completely separate from the university. The Foundation’s operations are funded through growth in endowment, philanthropic gift allocations from private donations, and university support.
At the Oklahoma State University Foundation, we are dedicated to supporting Oklahoma State University in accomplishing its land-grant mission. Our role in achieving this mission is to secure private philanthropic support to the university by matching donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence. We take great pride in our ability to effectively identify, secure and manage private resources that benefit OSU.
Private donations contributed from loyal OSU patrons provides millions of dollars annually to the university for things like scholarships, program support, building infrastructure and faculty needs. With declining state support, the Foundation’s efforts to provide stable and reliable support to OSU play a vital role in the success of the institution.
Every private dollar contributed has a significant impact at OSU, and we are proud to say that at least 95%* of each gift goes directly toward the donor(s)’ designated area of preference, with the remaining portion allocated to the Foundation for operational support. This allocation allows the Foundation to provide transparent and accountable reporting to donors and to the university, maintain accurate donor records, effectively manage and invest monies on behalf of the university, and continue connecting alumni and friends to philanthropic opportunities that benefit Oklahoma State. The maximum amount allocated toward Foundation support for any single gift will not exceed 5% of a $2 million gift. The amount of the gift in excess of $2 million will be directed fully to the donor-designated gift area(s).
*Gift allocations apply to new contributions and commitments made on or after July 1, 2017. Donors completing pledge payments or deductions established prior to July 1, 2017, will continue with the same allocations agreed upon at establishment. This policy does not supersede existing gift allocation practices for realized estate gifts and gifts of minerals, and does not apply to gift-in-kind donations retained by OSU.
Every private dollar contributed has a significant impact at OSU, whether directly funding the donor designated area of choice, or helping OSU raise future support, and invest and manage private resources. As such, donors will be recognized for the full value of the gift and 100%* of the contribution is tax deductible.
*Per IRS guidelines, tax deductibility of sponsorships and event tickets will be offset by the cost of the benefit provided to the donor (i.e. cost of the meal or sponsor advertising benefits).
The OSU Foundation operates as a separate 501c3, focused on raising, investing and distributing funds for Oklahoma State University. To protect donor information, Foundation services must be completely separate from the university. Gift allocations allow the Foundation to raise future support, and invest and manage existing resources that benefit OSU, which is becoming ever more critical as state support declines.
Yes. We believe that OSU’s future will depend on private philanthropic support. Because of this, a portion of every private philanthropic gift will be allocated toward the Foundation’s operations to secure additional funding for the university.
The OSU Athletic Department partners in a unique way with the OSU Foundation by paying directly for development-related expenses. Due to differences in how the development effort for the OSU Athletic Department is funded, the amount allocated to support the Foundation’s operations from gifts designated to Athletics will be 1% of any outright gift or pledge payment*. The maximum amount allocated toward the Foundation’s operations for any single gift directed to Athletics will not exceed 1% of a $10 million gift. Any single gift amount in excess of $10 million will be directed fully to the donor-designated Athletic fund(s). This allocation allows the Foundation to continue its support of Athletics by processing all Athletic gifts, maintaining accurate donor records and effectively managing and investing portions of OSU Athletic private support.
*The gift allocation of 1% for gifts allocated to athletics, applies to new contributions and commitments made on or after July 1, 2017. Donors completing pledge payments or deductions established prior to July 1, 2017, will continue with the same allocations agreed upon at establishment. This policy does not supersede existing gift allocation practices for realized estate gifts and gifts of minerals, and does not apply to gift-in-kind donations retained by OSU.
Posse points will not be affected by the Foundation’s Gift Allocation Policy. Donors will be credited for the entirety of their gift.
When you establish an endowment, you are making a gift that grows over time and provides ongoing support for your orange passion. The funds are invested instead of being spent immediately. Annually, a portion of the return is made available for spending for the endowment purpose you chose, such as scholarships, faculty development or program expenses, and a portion of the return is allocated to the Foundation through an administrative fee to support the ongoing operational costs associated with investing, managing and distributing funds to OSU. Investment return in excess of the spending policy and fee amounts is reinvested to continue increasing the impact of your generosity.
Endowment funds are strategically invested in the Foundation’s Pooled Investment Fund to preserve the long-term purchasing power of the endowments, while prudently managing risk. Investment policies are approved by the Board of Trustees, based on recommendations by a committee of the board, our staff and, when appropriate, outside counsel.
For endowed funds, an annual spending policy distribution is made available to OSU. This provides support to the university to fund the need for which the endowment was established, such as scholarships, faculty development, program expenses, etc. The spending policy amount is reviewed regularly by the Investment Committee and any changes must be approved by the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees. The policy was revised in FY17 with changes effective in FY19. For existing funds, the new spending policy amount will be 4.25% of the market value of the endowment on June 30, 2017. For new funds, the spending policy will be set at 4.25% of the original gift. In subsequent years, the spending policy amount will be equal to the amount provided in the previous year plus an annual inflationary adjustment. If any new gifts or reinvested cash are received, 4.25% of that amount will be added to the spending policy distribution. The inflation-based policy is designed to sustain a long-term, steady flow of support to OSU.