Athletic Endowments at OSU

A Lasting Investment in Student-Athletes

Athletic endowments offer a meaningful way to create a lasting legacy at Oregon State. By establishing an endowment, donors provide continuous, reliable funding that supports direct student-athlete benefits, scholarships, programs, and coaching year after year, generation after generation.

Your gift is invested through the OSU Foundation and generates annual distributions in perpetuity, helping ensure student-athletes have access to the resources and opportunities that shape their success on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.

Supporting Holistic Student-Athlete Development

Endowment support plays a critical role in advancing Oregon State’s commitment to holistic student-athlete development. These funds help the university focus on graduation, academic achievement, student-athlete wellness, development and retention, and post-graduation success — outcomes that are essential to the OSU student-athlete experience.

Oregon State Athletics currently has 211 endowed funds valued at $36.1 million, with another $15 million committed through estate planning. Growing these funds strengthens long-term financial sustainability while providing essential support for student-athletes today and in the future.

How Your Endowment Makes an Impact

Each year, a portion of the endowment you establish—currently 4 percent—is distributed to support the program or purpose you choose. This structure ensures your investment provides consistent, meaningful support while preserving the fund’s long-term value.

Below is an example of how endowment commitments are structured. Investment performance information for the OSU Foundation can be found here.

Endowment Commitment Levels

A commitment of…

$2,000,000 or more
Establishes a permanent fund for a named head coach position.

$1,000,000 or more
Establishes a permanent fund for a named assistant coach position.

$250,000 or more
Establishes a permanent fund with the ability to select up to two criteria, such as GPA Sport and/or academic major.

$100,000
Establishes a permanent fund with the ability to select one criterion.

$50,000
Establishes a permanent fund in a sport of your choice.

Each level creates a lasting source of support that directly benefits Oregon State student-athletes.

Endowment Impact in Action:

Ricci family creates endowments for men’s and women’s basketball programs

Pacific Northwest business leader and Oregon State University alumnus Joth Ricci, his wife Robin and family have made a $3 million gift to support the university’s men’s and women’s basketball programs.

The family’s gift establishes two $1.5 million endowed funds with the OSU Foundation that will generate expendable resources for the two programs in perpetuity. Read more about the Ricci Family's endowment here.

"The steady, reliable funding provided by athletic endowments ensure long-term stability and growth, empowering our student-athletes to excel on and off the field, now and for generations to come."

Scott Barnes | OSU Vice President & Director of Athletics

"Anytime you are in an uncertain situation, you have a choice to make; you can wait and see what happens to you, or you can get engaged and build your narrative. As intercollegiate athletics continue to change, at Oregon State we have the chance to build and make our program even stronger."

Joth Ricci '90 | Businessman. Established a $3 million endowment for both OSU basketball programs.

"The steady, reliable funding provided by athletic endowments ensure long-term stability and growth, empowering our student-athletes to excel on and off the field, now and for generations to come."

Scott Barnes | OSU Vice President & Director of Athletics

"Anytime you are in an uncertain situation, you have a choice to make; you can wait and see what happens to you, or you can get engaged and build your narrative. As intercollegiate athletics continue to change, at Oregon State we have the chance to build and make our program even stronger."

Joth Ricci '90 | Businessman. Established a $3 million endowment for both OSU basketball programs.