The OSU Foundation partners with the university to engage the broad OSU community, inspire investment and steward resources to enhance the university’s excellence and impact.
The Foundation, entering its 75th year, is a nonprofit organization, separate from the university, and governed by a Board of Trustees. The Foundation and the OSU Alumni Association are integrated and employ approximately 150 professionals. While building relationships with alumni, parents and friends is a university-wide responsibility, all fundraising positions are housed in the OSU Foundation. The Foundation aspires to be one of the best foundations in North America and acts in full alignment with the university. As of June 30, 2021, the Foundation holds assets surpassing $1.11 billion, manages an endowment of more than $819 million and employs approximately 150 professionals.
In 2014, The Campaign for OSU concluded, having raised $1.14 billion, which made OSU one of only 35 public universities at the time to have crossed the billion-dollar mark in a fundraising campaign. Following the campaign, the Foundation and university partnered on a series of successful strategic fundraising initiatives designed to advance goals in the university’s strategic plan, maintain fundraising momentum and lead into the silent phase of the next comprehensive fundraising and engagement campaign.
The OSU Foundation has continued its fundraising momentum since its first campaign. Fiscal year 2021 marked a record year for fundraising, with donors giving more than $177 million.
The Foundation, under the leadership of CEO and President Shawn L. Scoville, seeks to build on this powerful momentum to support OSU’s expanding aspirations, establish industry-leading fundraising and engagement growth, further energize donors, alumni and volunteers and prepare for the next, even larger comprehensive fundraising and engagement campaign for the university.