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Oklahoma State University Research Foundation Inc

EIN 23-7043186 · Stillwater, OK

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood87 out of 100GovernanceWeak45 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THIS CORPORATION IS FORMED IS TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER THE CHARITABLE, BENEVOLENT, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL INTERESTS OF EVERY KIND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND A PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA. THIS CORPORATION IS CREATED AND SHALL BE ADMINISTERED AND OPERATED TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES ABOVE STATED AND: 1. TO CREATE AND OPERATE THE THE INNOVATION FOUNDATION AT OSU, INC. 2. TO REQUEST, RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER FUNDS FROM FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES, AS WELL AS PRIVATE SOURCES. 3. TO ENGAGE IN RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND ACADEMIC CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE DIRECTED TOWARD THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY AND SUBSEQUENTLY TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA. 4. TO UTILIZE FUNDS RECEIVED FRO THE PURPOSES OF RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES AND THE ENTER INTO LEGAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE OKLA

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
38 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 34%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$806,474, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    5 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE INNOVATION FOUNDATION OF OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY INC.(I.F.)RECEIVED AND ADMINISTERED FUNDS FROM FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES, AND FROM PRIVATE SOURCES FOR PURPOSES OF CARRYING OUT EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS OF THE UNIVERSITY. FEDERAL AND STATE CONTRACTS FOR FISCAL YEAR END 2024 INCLUDED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA). I.F. PROVIDED ASSISTANCE THROUGH NASA SUPPORTED PROGRAMS FOCUSED TOWARDS SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION. I.F. SPONSORED COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS LINKING UNIVERSITY RESOURCES TO OKLAHOMAS ECONOMIC NEEDS THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF START-UP COMPANIES SPINNING OUT OF FACULTY RESEARCH. THESE TASKS SUPPORT OUR MISSIONS AND INITIATIVES IN OKLAHOMAS RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1969.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Oklahoma State University Foundation (Stillwater, OK), EIN 73-6097060. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.