We are deeply grateful for your partnership as we work together to advance OSU’s efforts to increase knowledge for the betterment of humankind!

This new monthly communication is intended to keep you in the loop about fundraising and engagement news and celebrate university-wide partnerships that are making a difference at OSU.

Here are a few updates about our recent board meetings:

• On February 6-7, the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees held their triannual meeting. A special thank you to Jon Boeckenstedt, vice provost for Enrollment Management, for joining us and sharing the realities of national and local enrollment trends. The Board also discussed campaign planning and heard reflections and opportunities ahead for OSU from President Ray.
• On February 11-12, the OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors also heard from Vice Provost Boeckenstedt, as well as Vice Provost Dan Larson of Student Affairs, Dean Doolen and Dean Haggerty. The Board discussed how they can better support the university’s priorities, help students at various stages of the undergraduate experience, and make changes to scale OSUAA’s efforts and meet the engagement goals led by John Valva, executive director of the OSU Alumni Association and vice president of Alumni Relations.
  

Growth requires innovation. We are rolling out new tactics to engage with, and enlarge, the OSU donor community, from webcasts to increased social media presence to our new Donor Experience Officer Program.

Technology helps improve donor experiences

We recently hired three donor experience officers (DXO) who, with the help of our digital partner EverTrue, have enhanced our ability to scale our efforts to provide personalized giving experiences to our donors. Each DXO is responsible for a portfolio of approximately 1,000 donors and prospects – primarily managed via Zoom, email, and social media – which is 10 times the amount managed by a typical development officer. 

Challenge accepted: OSU's second annual Dam Proud Day

Dam Proud Day is another excellent example of digital strategy, and we need your help to make this university-wide effort an even greater success this year. During last year’s Dam Proud Day, 2,800 Beavers from around the world gave $620,000, and many members of our community also participated on social media and at live events.

For this year’s Dam Proud Day (April 30), we’re looking to take enthusiasm among new and engaged audiences to the next level. Together, we can inspire the Beaver community and beyond to join Oregon State in making a difference in the lives of students, faculty and more.

To learn more about Dam Proud Day, talk to your unit’s development officer, or contact Tyrell Warren-Burnett, senior director of annual giving programs at the OSU Foundation.

News

• Nationally recognized climate scientist and OSU alumnus, Warren Washington, and his wife, Mary, give $100,000 to establish OSU’s largest endowed scholarship fund for students engaged in climate studies in either the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences or the College of Science. 
• College of Business alumnus Thomas W. Toomey gives $1 million to establish the university’s first endowed fund addressing student food insecurity and emergency housing. This is part of a university-wide initiative led by Dan Larson, vice provost for Student Affairs.
• OSU Foundation forms new senior leadership team.
  

Upcoming events

• March 12: Career Meetup Day 2020
• April 27: State of the University – Bend
• May 16: OSU Day of Service
  
  
• See all upcoming Foundation events
• See all upcoming Alumni Association events

By the Numbers

• Total Dollars Raised Jul. 2019 – February 29: $84.8 million
• Percent of annual fundraising goal raised: 69% of $123 million annual goal.
• Market Value of Endowment as of December 31, 2020: $637.6 million
• Number of alumni, parents and friends who volunteered in support of OSU efforts: 2,700+, an increase of 37% over this time last year.