OSU Foundation named nation’s best medium-sized place to work by The NonProfit Times

Friday, May 13, 2016

Based on an extensive assessment, the Oklahoma State University Foundation is the nation’s top medium-sized nonprofit organization on The NonProfit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work 2016 list. The OSU Foundation also placed second on the list of all such organizations regardless of size.

The medium-sized category is for organizations employing 50-249 people. The OSU Foundation fell almost exactly in the middle of that range with 148 employees.

“Obviously, I was very pleasantly surprised that we were recognized so highly on a national level,” said Kirk Jewell, president of the OSU Foundation. “The most gratifying part of this recognition is that it is primarily based on the survey responses from our staff.  I tell the staff regularly that my greatest satisfaction comes when one of our staff members recommends an opening at the Foundation to one of their friends, because they know us best.”

The sixth annual report was based on information about participating nonprofits, beginning with an organizational questionnaire where managers provided information about demographics, practices and policies. Employees then anonymously completed a 78-question survey about engagement and satisfaction. 

Results were analyzed based on eight areas: leadership and planning; corporate culture and communication; role satisfaction; work environment; relationship with supervisor; training, development and resources; pay and benefits; and overall engagement. 

Sources outside the organization were also contacted as part of the evaluation process.

Jewell told The NonProfit Times that he learned a valuable lesson about how a staff could operate when he became the OSU Foundation’s president 12 years ago.

“I didn’t know before I got here that an organization could perform as a team, but still care like a family,” Jewell said. “The way I describe the culture we are striving for is ‘we exceed expectations and have fun doing it.’”

The only other organization from Oklahoma to make the Top 50 list was CAP Tulsa, which placed 19th overall and third among large nonprofits (250 or more employees).

The OSU Foundation was recognized with a similar award in 2012, placing 12th on okcBIZ magazine’s list of Best Place to Work in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.To learn more, visit OSUgiving.com.