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Oklahoma State University Foundation

EIN 73-6097060 · Stillwater, OK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITE DONOR PASSIONS WITH UNIVERSITY PRIORITIES TO ELEVATE THE IMPACT OF OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

Income
$272.9 million
Spending
$195.1 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
26.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
233
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$952,222, chief investment officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 2025, 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 (5)
  1. $86.9 million spent. INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS INCLUDES THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS DONATED FOR THE BENEFIT OF MEN'S AND WOMEN'S ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT FOR STUDENT ATHLETES, BUDGET SUPPORT FOR SPECIFIC TEAM SPORTS AND GENERAL BUDGET SUPPORT FOR THE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT. (Expenses $ 9,774,859 including grants of $ 301,781) OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES INCLUDE EXPENDITURES TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY'S LIBRARY AND ITS PROGRAMS, ENDOWED FACULTY AND LECTURESHIP PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY.
  2. $48.0 million spent. GENERAL UNIVERSITY SUPPORT INCLUDES THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS DONATED FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE TRANSFERS OF MOST GIFTS-IN-KIND DONATED TO THE UNIVERSITY. THESE FUNDS ALSO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT SUSTAIN OVERALL UNIVERSITY PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF STUDENT LIFE SUCH AS ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, PERFORMING ARTS INTERNATIONAL AND DIVERSITY STUDIES, RESIDENTIAL LIFE, STUDENT AFFAIRS, AND OTHER INSTRUCTIVE PROGRAMS.
  3. $11.8 million spent. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDES THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS DONATED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES, RENOVATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES, FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT. (Expenses $ 9,774,859 including grants of $ 301,781) OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES INCLUDE EXPENDITURES TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY'S LIBRARY AND ITS PROGRAMS, ENDOWED FACULTY AND LECTURESHIP PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY.
  4. $9.8 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES INCLUDE EXPENDITURES TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY'S LIBRARY AND ITS PROGRAMS, ENDOWED FACULTY AND LECTURESHIP PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY.
  5. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES INCLUDE EXPENDITURES TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY'S LIBRARY AND ITS PROGRAMS, ENDOWED FACULTY AND LECTURESHIP PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY. EXPENSES $ 9,774,859. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 301,781. REVENUE $ 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 January 1963.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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