Aaron Escobar Named University Fundraiser of the Year
March 14, 2023 | General
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Aaron Escobar, Oregon State Senior Associate Athletic Director/VP Athletic Development, was named the recipient of the University Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD).
"I'm very humbled to receive this recognition from the National Association of Athletic Development Directors," Escobar said. "Our joint success in fundraising is a direct product of the wonderful partnership between the Oregon State University Foundation and Oregon State Athletics. Of course, none of this would be possible without the generosity of our dedicated and passionate alumni, friends, and family of Beaver Nation who make this such a special place to be."
Under Escobar's leadership, Oregon State achieved record-setting fundraising numbers for athletics in the last two years, including the Completing Reser initiative with 23 gifts, all of $1 million or more, totaling $93.6 million. In spring of 2022, the project's premium seat offerings reached capacity, adding $8 million in capital support in addition to the $3.2 million raised annually through seat contributions.
"From the outside, the fundraising goal for Completing Reser Stadium initiative – raising $85 million in 12 months – must have looked like mission impossible," said Oregon State University Foundation President and CEO Shawn L. Scoville. "While we couldn't have done it without our extraordinary donors, including the anonymous donor who made the $50M lead gift, it was Aaron's intentional and strategic focus on leadership giving that facilitated our success. No one is more dedicated to helping our university achieve its aspirations while also being an exceptional partner to our very committed and generous donors."
Following a comprehensive market study in summer 2022, Escobar's team rightsized annual seat contribution requirements throughout Reser Stadium and launched programs to modernize the giving experience.
Seat contributions are no longer covered under one plan, but rather separate for football, men's basketball and women's basketball. Annual fund contributions are projected to now surpass $12 million annually, a $4 million increase. Escobar's team also is attracting substantial gifts for athletic endowments, specific sports and other facility improvements, such as track and field grandstands, a softball video board and a baseball hitting facility.
Oregon State had the second-highest fundraising average in the Pac-12, of nine reporting institutions, over the last five years.
"This is a wonderful honor of recognition for Aaron and his team," Oregon State Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Barnes said. "The work they've done with our incredible donors to raise money has greatly improved our facilities and will benefit all of our student-athletes and enhance the fan experience for Beaver Nation. Aaron's leadership since he took over as the Senior Associate Athletic Director/VP Athletic Development has taken Oregon State Athletics to new heights."
As a member of the OSU Foundation's senior leadership team, Escobar plays a significant role in Believe It: The Campaign for Oregon State University. Donors have already committed more than $1 billion to the campaign that seeks to raise $1.75 billion to support university priority initiatives.
Since he joined the OSU Foundation in 2002, Escobar has held various leadership positions, most recently as associate vice president of development, where he had fundraising responsibility for the divisions of business, engineering and health sciences as well as OSU-Cascades.
He previously had assignments with OSU's Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon 4-H, Extension and the Honors College. While in his current role supporting OSU Athletics, he continues to partner with development colleagues to secure principal gifts ($5+ million) for academic programs, including business and engineering.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
"I'm very humbled to receive this recognition from the National Association of Athletic Development Directors," Escobar said. "Our joint success in fundraising is a direct product of the wonderful partnership between the Oregon State University Foundation and Oregon State Athletics. Of course, none of this would be possible without the generosity of our dedicated and passionate alumni, friends, and family of Beaver Nation who make this such a special place to be."
Under Escobar's leadership, Oregon State achieved record-setting fundraising numbers for athletics in the last two years, including the Completing Reser initiative with 23 gifts, all of $1 million or more, totaling $93.6 million. In spring of 2022, the project's premium seat offerings reached capacity, adding $8 million in capital support in addition to the $3.2 million raised annually through seat contributions.
"From the outside, the fundraising goal for Completing Reser Stadium initiative – raising $85 million in 12 months – must have looked like mission impossible," said Oregon State University Foundation President and CEO Shawn L. Scoville. "While we couldn't have done it without our extraordinary donors, including the anonymous donor who made the $50M lead gift, it was Aaron's intentional and strategic focus on leadership giving that facilitated our success. No one is more dedicated to helping our university achieve its aspirations while also being an exceptional partner to our very committed and generous donors."
Following a comprehensive market study in summer 2022, Escobar's team rightsized annual seat contribution requirements throughout Reser Stadium and launched programs to modernize the giving experience.
Seat contributions are no longer covered under one plan, but rather separate for football, men's basketball and women's basketball. Annual fund contributions are projected to now surpass $12 million annually, a $4 million increase. Escobar's team also is attracting substantial gifts for athletic endowments, specific sports and other facility improvements, such as track and field grandstands, a softball video board and a baseball hitting facility.
Oregon State had the second-highest fundraising average in the Pac-12, of nine reporting institutions, over the last five years.
"This is a wonderful honor of recognition for Aaron and his team," Oregon State Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Barnes said. "The work they've done with our incredible donors to raise money has greatly improved our facilities and will benefit all of our student-athletes and enhance the fan experience for Beaver Nation. Aaron's leadership since he took over as the Senior Associate Athletic Director/VP Athletic Development has taken Oregon State Athletics to new heights."
As a member of the OSU Foundation's senior leadership team, Escobar plays a significant role in Believe It: The Campaign for Oregon State University. Donors have already committed more than $1 billion to the campaign that seeks to raise $1.75 billion to support university priority initiatives.
Since he joined the OSU Foundation in 2002, Escobar has held various leadership positions, most recently as associate vice president of development, where he had fundraising responsibility for the divisions of business, engineering and health sciences as well as OSU-Cascades.
He previously had assignments with OSU's Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon 4-H, Extension and the Honors College. While in his current role supporting OSU Athletics, he continues to partner with development colleagues to secure principal gifts ($5+ million) for academic programs, including business and engineering.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
