OSU-Cascades receives Oregon Community Foundation Challenge Grant

Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray announced that OSU-Cascades has received another major boost in its efforts to raise $4 million to expand the campus to a four-year university. The Oregon Community Foundation has committed $250,000 to OSU-Cascades if the campus can raise an additional $250,000 in private support by December 31.

In addition, if OSU-Cascades raises a total of $500,000 by the end of the year, the campus will be eligible for an additional $250,000 grant from OCF in 2014, bringing the foundation’s support to a total of $500,000.

“OCF’s unique support of the OSU-Cascades campus is based upon the transformational impact this new branch-campus model will have on Oregon’s higher education system and Central Oregon as well as helping Oregon achieve its 40-40-20 educational goals,” said OCF president and CEO Max Williams.

In August 2012, the Oregon State Board of Higher Education endorsed the university’s proposal to expand OSU-Cascades to a four-year branch campus of Oregon State University. The OSU branch campus has existed as a “2+2” model since it was founded in 2001, providing upper-division and graduate courses, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The endorsement allows OSU-Cascades to offer freshman and sophomore courses, providing a full four-year experience for students in what has been the state’s only major population area without a four-year university.

“This matching gift is a tremendous step in seeing OSU-Cascades’ promise fulfilled,” said OSU President Ed Ray. “Support from the Oregon Community Foundation supports an essential opportunity for Central Oregon to help the state meet its educational attainment goals, while also fostering the economic growth and cultural enrichment that will result from a four-year university.”

To date, donors to the OSU-Cascades expansion project have provided more than $3.3 million in private support. With the potential $500,000 in funds from OCF and support from those who participate in the grant challenge, that total could grow by as much as $1 million.

“We are grateful to OCF for its visionary leadership in transforming educational opportunity in Central Oregon.  And by awarding a challenge grant, they have provided the incentive for others to get involved in supporting the campus expansion plan,” said Becky Johnson, vice president at OSU-Cascades. “Offering a one-to-one match provides a remarkable opportunity for donors to double the impact of their giving.”

The Oregon Legislature is expected to vote in the next two months on a request for $16 million in state bonds to expand campus facilities in preparation for OSU-Cascades welcoming its first class of incoming freshmen for fall 2015.

Donors to the OSU-Cascades’ expansion plan are part of The Campaign for OSU, and are among the nearly 100,000 donors who have provided more than $925 million toward the campaign’s $1 billion goal.

For information about giving, visit http://www.osucascades.edu/make-a-gift .

About Oregon State University – Cascades – Located in Bend, Ore., OSU-Cascades features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregon’s vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Sixteen undergraduate majors and graduate programs, with 25 minors and degree options, include Business Administration, Energy Systems Engineering, Exercise and Sport Science, Hospitality Management, and Tourism and Outdoor Leadership. The branch campus plans to expand to a four-year university beginning fall 2015. Visit http://www.osucascades.edu/.

About The Oregon Community Foundation – OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through these funds, in 2012 OCF awarded more than $66 million in grants and scholarships. Call OCF’s Bend office, 541-382-1170, or visit www.oregoncf.org.