A group of people, consisting of both men and women, are standing in a large room holding oversized checks. The individuals are dressed in business attire and appear to be celebrating their achievements. — Project Student Innovation, the Riata Center’s PhilanthroPete project, provides scholarship opportunities and competition awards.

OSU's crowdfunding platform continues to grow in support and impact

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University is full of ideas that need just a little support to become reality.

PhilanthroPete, OSU’s crowdfunding platform, is here to give those dreams a push in the right direction.

The platform gives students, faculty and staff a place to crowdsource essential funding for campus projects, research and organizations. By uniting the Cowboy family in collective giving, PhilanthroPete has continued to make an impact at OSU since its launch in 2017. In 2024, its 121 projects raised $331,652 through 1,790 gifts.

“PhilanthroPete continues to grow, connecting more members of the Cowboy family each year to support important campus projects,” said Adrian Matthys, OSU Foundation assistant vice president of pipeline growth and readiness. “The platform has become a vital resource, empowering our students, faculty and staff while enabling our donors to help cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy across campus.”

Many PhilanthroPete projects feature a strong emphasis on student success.

Since 2009, the Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has served as a hub for OSU students interested in starting businesses, developing ideas and gaining real-world experience. It offers mentorship, hands-on training and access to competitions that help students refine their business models.

A race car with the number 21, representing Oklahoma State University, is captured in motion on a racetrack. The car features prominent branding with "OSU" and "Cowboys" logos. — Bullet Racing’s Fuel the Future campaign helps with the out-of-pocket costs of building a new car each year.

The center’s PhilanthroPete project, Project Student Innovation, was created to increase awareness and financial support for student entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed.

Project leader and staff member Julie Wilson hopes to expand the Riata Startup Experience into a well-known campus resource, helping students bring their business ideas to life.

“My vision for the Riata Startup Experience is to build the program into a center that all of campus is aware of and the resources we provide students wanting to explore the venture creation process,” Wilson said. “Even if students don’t launch a startup immediately, involvement in the Riata Center highlights their initiative, problem-solving and creativity, making them attractive to future employers.”

Their PhilanthroPete campaign was a success, raising more than $16,000. The funds raised will add general scholarship opportunities for the 2025-26 academic year as well as awards for both the Business Plan and Pitch and Poster competitions. They will also allow the Riata Center to expand its resources to assist students in the business formation process.

“Students now have more access to critical resources that will help them develop their business ideas, while fostering innovation,” Wilson said. “Their investment in the Riata Center isn’t just about funding a project; it is shaping the future of student entrepreneurs.”

Bullet Racing’s Fuel the Future campaign is another project that has experienced the transformational impact of PhilanthroPete.

OSU’s Formula SAE team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of engineering and automotive innovation. Through hands-on experience, students design, build and compete with a high-performance race car at international competitions.

Nick Napoliello, club representative and materials lead for Bullet Racing, said his favorite memory with the team is driving its car at a competition in Michigan last year. But the benefits he’s experienced go far beyond the thrill of being behind the wheel.

“Bullet Racing offers many opportunities to develop real-life, applicable skills across multiple disciplines,” Napoliello said. “Beyond learning new skills, applying engineering concepts and making friends, I think FSAE involvement is one of the best things you can have on your resume as an engineer. I have yet to have an interview where Bullet Racing is not a primary topic of discussion.”

Bullet Racing has to build a new car each year, which can be expensive. While they have a few sponsorships and donors, many top-of-the-line components must be purchased out-of-pocket.

Beyond funding key equipment, PhilanthroPete has helped Bullet Racing invest in cutting-edge materials and technologies to enhance their car’s performance. It raised more than $7,000 to fund the project.

Donor support allows students to gain real-world engineering experience, preparing them for careers in the automotive and mechanical industries.

“We literally could not do what we do without the support of our donors,” Napoliello said. “I want our donors to know that they didn’t just help us build a better car this year, but that they are helping future engineers gain invaluable experience that will set them apart in their careers.”

Photos By: Provided

Story By: Grant Ramirez | STATE Magazine