Oregon State University Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MISSION: The OSU Foundation partners with Oregon State University to engage our community, inspire investment, and steward resources to enhance the university's excellence and impact. VISION: To create a better world by inspiring support of - and for - Oregon State University
- Income
- $176.0 million
- Spending
- $132.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 55%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 199
- Volunteers
- 33
- Highest pay
- $891,462, president & ceo
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
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 48% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1555% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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 2528 of 28 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $29.6 million spent. CAPITAL PROGRAMS: The OSU foundation distributed these amounts, in accordance with donor intent, to the University in FY25 to support the construction or renovation of campus facilities. Major projects in FY25 included: The Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex, Valley Football Center enhancements, Reser Stadium - west side renovation, Withycombe Hall, Baseball Hitting Facility, Construction Safety Laboratory, Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, and Austin Hall. The Foundation works with donors to complement the State of Oregon's investment in university facilities - often matching state dollars one to one. Currently under construction, the 143,000-square-foot Huang Complex will house one of the most powerful supercomputers in the country. Construction of the $213 million complex is funded by $100 million in philanthropic commitments to the OSU Foundation, $72 million in state bonds and the remainder from university funds.
- $16.5 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPS & OTHER STUDENT SUPPORT: The OSU foundation distributed these amounts, in accordance with donor intent, to the University in FY25 to support students through scholarships, fellowships, and other awards. Over time, donors have created over 2.418 unique scholarship, fellowship, and student support funds of various types and amounts at the OSU Foundation, of which 2,005 are endowed. These funds help ensure that an OSU education is accessible to qualified students, regardless of economic circumstances, and allow the University to recruit and retain outstanding students from Oregon and beyond. During the 2024/2025 academic year, 4,986 OSU students received donor-funded scholarships. A current Foundation priority is advancing the university's strategic goal of becoming a place where every student graduates. As part of its multi-year comprehensive fundraising campaign, the Foundation has set a $500 million goal for scholarships and student support. Campaign efforts emphasize donor investment in OSU's Finish in Four Initiative, which helps students complete their degrees on time while receiving a high-quality education that prepares them for careers, community engagement and long-term success.
- $8.9 million spent. INSTRUCTION & RESEARCH: The OSU Foundation distributed these amounts, in accordance with donor intent, to the University in FY25 to support teaching and research. During the year, donor funds helped support OSU's internationally recognized programs in marine sciences, forestry and agricultural sciences, among others. With 212 endowed faculty positions at the University, donors to the OSU Foundation provide critically needed private funds to help recruit and retain world-class talent. Endowed positions range from the Oregon Hazelnut Industry Professor and the Otteman Brant Faculty Fellow in Small Animal Medicine to the Grover Family Chair in Sustainable Urban Landscapes and the Holcomb Professor in Structural Engineering.
- $17.2 million spent. See Schedule O, Statement 1 EXPENSES: 50400 - Recognition and Awards - $258,398 50550 - Land Improvements - $76,989 50700 - Equipment - $745,866 50800 - Computer Hardware - $58,829 50850 - Computer Software - $253,973 51100 - Telephone/VOIP - $889 51155 - Cell Phone Charges - $5,112 51175 - Internet\Network Expenses - $1,382 51200 - Postage & Mailing\Shipping Services - $163.553 51700 - Supplies - $664,653 51750 - Books, Periodicals & Subscriptions - $234,521 51775 - Database Services - $4,717 51800 - Minor Equipment - $511,531 52400 - Interest - $178,055 52550 - Maintenance & Repair - Equipment - $43,952 52600 - Maintenance & Repair - Building - $515,813 52650 - Maintenance & Repair - Grounds - $20,049 52700 - Maintenance & Repair - Janitorial - $14,586 52800 - Maintenance & Licensing - Software - $23,198 52900 - Maintenance & Repair - Miscellaneous - $12,135 53500 - Publishing\Printing - $157,803 54100 - Payroll - $2,156,415 54150 - Payroll - Student - $669,008 54160 - Payroll - Overtime - $3,882 54170 - Payroll - Temporary - $12,900 54800 - Payroll Recruiting - $70 54900 - Payroll - Other - $1,540,628 55050 - Professional - Legal - $138 55300 - Professional - Consulting Services - $8,250 55325 - Professional - Marketing Services - $42 55390 - Professional - Other - $858,081 55400 - Services - Insurance - $4,892 55410 - Services - Advertising - $8,564 55417 - Services - Photography - $19,426 55420 - Services - Video Multimedia Production - $7,880 55430 - Services - Appraisal Fees - $7 55490 - Services - Other - $837,190 55650 - Rentals & Leases - Building - $187,069 55700 - Rentals & Leases - Equipment - $572,163 55850 - Rentals & Leases - Computer Software - $4,400 55950 - Rentals & Leases - Miscellaneous - $130,813 56400 - Licenses and Permits - $7,671 56510 - Travel - $586,558 56530 - Non Employee Travel - Students and Guests- $1,763,467 56550 - Registration Fees - Events - $42,801 56570 - Conferences - $438,133 56600 - Public Relations\Entertaining - $2,090,050 56607 - Business Meetings - $792,167 56608 - Staff Training - $76,486 56610 - Events - Catering - $201,037 56612 - Events - Shuttle - $9,265 56616 - Events - Room Setup\Staging - $61,057 56617 - Events - AV Rental - $38,340 56618 - Events - Entertaining - $149 56619 - Events - Give Away Items - $12,809 56630 - Donor Cultivation\Stewardship - $2,428 56650 - Tickets - Athletics & Events - $22,243 56700 - Dues and Memberships - $89,636 57150 - Utilities - Electric - $15,540 57300 - Utilities - Garbage - $360 TOTAL EXPENSES- $17,218,019 REVENUE: OBN Meals - $559,370 Registrations - $363,069 Conferences/Seminars - $18,494 Memberships/Sponsors/ - $38,163 Services - $62,000 TOTAL REVENUES - $1,041,096
- (Expenses $ 17,218,019 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 1,041,096) See Schedule O, Statement 1 EXPENSES: 50400 - Recognition and Awards - $258,398 50550 - Land Improvements - $76,989 50700 - Equipment - $745,866 50800 - Computer Hardware - $58,829 50850 - Computer Software - $253,973 51100 - Telephone/VOIP - $889 51155 - Cell Phone Charges - $5,112 51175 - Internet\Network Expenses - $1,382 51200 - Postage & Mailing\Shipping Services - $163.553 51700 - Supplies - $664,653 51750 - Books, Periodicals & Subscriptions - $234,521 51775 - Database Services - $4,717 51800 - Minor Equipment - $511,531 52400 - Interest - $178,055 52550 - Maintenance & Repair - Equipment - $43,952 52600 - Maintenance & Repair - Building - $515,813 52650 - Maintenance & Repair - Grounds - $20,049 52700 - Maintenance & Repair - Janitorial - $14,586 52800 - Maintenance & Licensing - Software - $23,198 52900 - Maintenance & Repair - Miscellaneous - $12,135 53500 - Publishing\Printing - $157,803 54100 - Payroll - $2,156,415 54150 - Payroll - Student - $669,008 54160 - Payroll - Overtime - $3,882 54170 - Payroll - Temporary - $12,900 54800 - Payroll Recruiting - $70 54900 - Payroll - Other - $1,540,628 55050 - Professional - Legal - $138 55300 - Professional - Consulting Services - $8,250 55325 - Professional - Marketing Services - $42 55390 - Professional - Other - $858,081 55400 - Services - Insurance - $4,892 55410 - Services - Advertising - $8,564 55417 - Services - Photography - $19,426 55420 - Services - Video Multimedia Production - $7,880 55430 - Services - Appraisal Fees - $7 55490 - Services - Other - $837,190 55650 - Rentals & Leases - Building - $187,069 55700 - Rentals & Leases - Equipment - $572,163 55850 - Rentals & Leases - Computer Software - $4,400 55950 - Rentals & Leases - Miscellaneous - $130,813 56400 - Licenses and Permits - $7,671 56510 - Travel - $586,558 56530 - Non Employee Travel - Students and Guests- $1,763,467 56550 - Registration Fees - Events - $42,801 56570 - Conferences - $438,133 56600 - Public Relations\Entertaining - $2,090,050 56607 - Business Meetings - $792,167 56608 - Staff Training - $76,486 56610 - Events - Catering - $201,037 56612 - Events - Shuttle - $9,265 56616 - Events - Room Setup\Staging - $61,057 56617 - Events - AV Rental - $38,340 56618 - Events - Entertaining - $149 56619 - Events - Give Away Items - $12,809 56630 - Donor Cultivation\Stewardship - $2,428 56650 - Tickets - Athletics & Events - $22,243 56700 - Dues and Memberships - $89,636 57150 - Utilities - Electric - $15,540 57300 - Utilities - Garbage - $360 TOTAL EXPENSES- $17,218,019 REVENUE: OBN Meals - $559,370 Registrations - $363,069 Conferences/Seminars - $18,494 Memberships/Sponsors/ - $38,163 Services - $62,000 TOTAL REVENUES - $1,041,096
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1951.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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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