About
Oklahoma State University 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 passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University. We exist solely for the benefit of OSU.
Our mission is to unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.
We manage donor dollars to provide the most advanced educational opportunities to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of OSU. From scholarships to community programs, our donors generously support the spirit and tradition of Oklahoma State University.
We invite you to learn more about our organization, our leaders and those who support America's Brightest Orange. As always, please feel free to contact us for additional information or visit us the next time you're in Stillwater!
Our Leadership
Blaire Atkinson was appointed the seventh president of the OSU Foundation in May 2020, where she leads a staff of nearly 200 professionals dedicated to serving Oklahoma State University. She graduated from OSU with a degree in business administration and holds Senior Professional in Human Resources and SHRM Senior Certified Professional certifications. She and her husband, Matt, met at OSU and have three children, Wyatt, Westin and Morgan.
Blaire served as president of the OSU Alumni Association from October 2018 to May 2020. Prior to this, she served as the assistant vice president of Human Resources at the Foundation for three years, before transitioning to the role of senior associate vice president of Development Services, where she provided strategic direction and oversight in marketing and communications, donor relations and special events for three years. She began her career at the Foundation in 2011.
"The Foundation employs incredibly talented people, all passionately committed to supporting quality education in the next generation. I fully believe in the mission of our land-grant university to improve the lives of people in Oklahoma and the world through teaching, research and outreach. I am excited to help inspire others to support the impact Oklahoma State makes."
Blaire shows a deep passion and dedication for both Oklahoma State University and improving Oklahoma through quality education. She helped create the current culture within the Foundation, which assisted the organization in reaching new heights and expanding their capabilities to support Oklahoma State University.
Governance
Foundation President Blaire Atkinson 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 among 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.
Click here for a listing of OSU Foundation Board of Trustees & Board of Governors
We dare to dream big — the right results the right way.
Vision/Mission
Vision: Transform the university through the power of generosity.
Mission: Unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.
Organizational Values
Authenticity: We champion authenticity by communicating transparently, embracing our differences, learning from our mistakes and celebrating our successes.
Partnership: We succeed by fostering relationships, recognizing strengths and collaborating to achieve collective goals.
Integrity: We operate with integrity, trust and respect to maintain the highest ethical standards.
Intentionality We encourage intentionality through innovative thinking, purposeful decision-making and sustainable growth.
Service-Oriented: We work together to serve the Cowboy family by building strong relationships with donors, advancing the mission of OSU and supporting our employees.
Fun: We cultivate an atmosphere that welcomes humor, creativity and meaningful interactions.
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.
Policies
We are a private, non-profit organization as determined by IRS 501 (c)(3) documentation. We are separate from Oklahoma State University and not supported by state funds. As a private corporation, we are uniquely qualified to address your specific needs and concerns as a donor. We are dedicated to maintaining public confidence and private trust. In the interest of transparency, we provide information about our organization. Below are our policies that ensure we are meeting the needs of our donors.
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.