Student Philanthropy

As a non-profit organization, everyone at Oakland University benefits in some way from philanthropy.  The Student Philanthropy Committee empowers students in the philanthropic process by:

• Supporting student organizations and club sports as they raise funds to support their own cause or another cause on campus
• Providing meaningful leadership opportunities to committee members who want to make OU a better place now and in the future
• Educating students about how donors impact campus every day
• Hosting volunteer opportunities and special events throughout the year

To join us, contact the Student Philanthropy Committee Advisers! E-board and committee positions are available.

Sign up as a volunteer.

Committee Advisers:

Follow the OU Student Philanthropy Committee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What does it support?
Each year, approximately 120 students cannot afford to return to OU for their senior year. The 2025 Class Gift will support scholarship opportunities for the class of 2026, so the class of 2025 can leave a legacy for the graduates who follow them! Gifts of any size make a difference to this initiative!

Who gives to the 2025 Class Gift?
The 2025 Class Gift is open to all graduating students, not just undergraduates.

How can I get involved?
Volunteer for the 2025 Class Gift Committee! Volunteers help us spread the word about the Class Gift, while earning prizes such as VIP parking at commencement, diploma frames and more!

Who has benefited?

Since 2015, over $28,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students who were facing financial hardship in their final year of school. 

Elliott Tower Climb: Make a gift. Make the climb. Make a memory.

• Graduating students who make a gift of $20.25 or more to the Senior Class Gift Fund, the Graduate School Class Gift Fund, or the OUWB Class Gift Fund will be invited to climb the stairs of the Elliott Tower.
• This is a special benefit for graduating students who make a gift of $20.25 or more to a Class Gift Fund.
• Students who make a gift of $50 or more will be invited to a VIP tour.

View a full list of tower climb rules.

"When you give, it's the best thing you can do for yourself. I learned many years ago - and it's true - that even if you give just a little bit, over time, it adds up."
- Hugh Elliott

Working as a Student Donor Experience Officer at the OU Digital Engagement Center is a great opportunity for you to strengthen your communication skills, earn extra money, and support Oakland University.

Every year, Student Donor Experience Officers contact OU alumni, parents, and friends to update demographic information, share news about campus events, and ask for support of the University for scholarships, technology upgrades, campus enhancements, and much more.

About the job: 

• Engage with alumni, donors and parents using a combination of communication channels, including video, email, social media, texting, virtual visits, and phone, to provide engagement and solicitation (fundraising) opportunities that reflect the donor’s unique interests.

• Under the direction of professional staff, maintain donor-centered relationships with a portfolio of alumni, students, parents, and friends of the university.

• Share your personal OU experience to illustrate the impact of donations and encourage continued support.

• Contribute to the ongoing success of the university’s fundraising campaigns by soliciting donations and sharing institutional updates. These campaigns support the scholarships, research and extracurriculars that make OU a great place to study! 

• Being comfortable utilizing video, phone, email, and virtual communication technology is critical to success in this role.

The Student Donor Experience Officer has a special role at Oakland University. The role seeks energetic, dependable student employees each semester to contact OU alumni and friends across the nation about University programs and invite them to support Oakland University.

DID YOU KNOW? Tuition only covers about 81% of a student's education at Oakland University. The remaining funds come from state funding and our generous donors! It's very possible you could have received a scholarship or otherwise benefited from donor support because of the great work our Student Donor Experience Officers do!

Student Donor Experience Officers (SDXOs) are OU students who support the university's mission through work in our call center and beyond. These students make a difference at OU while gaining valuable work experience. The funds they raise help to provide scholarships and other valuable educational resources.

When calling, students request updated contact information, share news about the many things happening at OU, and answer any questions alumni and friends may have. Calls are typically made Monday through Friday throughout the academic year.

Our students look forward to speaking with you! Please take a moment to talk with our students and renew your annual support, or consider making your first gift to OU.

Telefund pledges can also be fulfilled online. Thank you for your support!

Questions?

Adrianne Penney
Associate Director of Annual Giving
penney@oakland.edu

JJ Casillas
Digital Engagement Center Manager
jjcasillas@oakland.edu