Center for Family Enterprise
Helping family businesses flourish and thrive since 1985
Oregon State University’s Center for Family Enterprise aspires to be the go-to resource for all family businesses in Oregon and the region. Leveraging the university’s strengths in outreach, education and research gives us the unique ability to provide families and their advisors with the expertise and networks to flourish and thrive through multiple generations. We strive to know the true needs, economic impact and footprint of family-owned businesses in Oregon and beyond so that we can be a force for advocacy and economic and societal good. To learn more about supporting the Center for Family Enterprise, contact Senior Director of Development in the College of Business Dan Peterson.
The Center for Family Enterprise celebrates 40 years
In 2025 the Center for Family Enterprise is celebrating 40 years of family business education, outreach and research. Please save the date for our 40th anniversary dinner and gala on October 9 in Portland, Oregon.
Family Business 360
Learn from fellow family businesses
Our Family Business 360 series offers family businesses, their employees and advisors nuanced, expert knowledge on critical topics like succession planning, governance, family dynamics and renewing a family enterprise.
We’re proud that FB360 has been Oregon’s premier family education series for more than 10 years. We remain dedicated to creating excellent networking and educational opportunities for family businesses in the Pacific Northwest.
Our FB360 events take place virtually, so you can join us no matter where you are, and all of them are free of charge.
Advisor recommendations
Family business advisor search
We created our family business advisor search to connect family businesses with an advising team they can trust, whether they are looking for insurance experts, accountants, consultants or lawyers.
Our list includes advisors throughout the region and across industries, all of whom have experience with family businesses and understand the unique challenges they face. Their goal, and ours, is to provide family businesses with the network they need to thrive.
More ways to learn
Educational opportunities
At the Center for Family Enterprise, we know that there’s always more to learn. That’s why we are dedicated to providing educational opportunities for business owners, their employees and their advisors across all life stages.
Whether you’re just starting an undergraduate degree or have been operating a business for decades, we have options for you.
Our family business undergraduate minor and option as well as our continuing professional education offerings, provide students and family businesses with the tools they need for success.
Recognizing leaders
Excellence in Family Business Awards
Every year since 1988, the Center for Family Enterprise has recognized family businesses that exemplify the values we foster in our work: harmony, generational development, leadership and growth.
Our Excellence in Family Business Awards program is the only one of its kind in the region. Each year, we’re proud to honor the tremendous work of family businesses and the positive impact they make on their communities and beyond.
Learn more about our award winners and how you can nominate a family business to win.
Critical analysis
Our research
The Center for Family Enterprise aims to be a national hub for family business-related research.
We are conducting research that has a positive impact on the family business community and collaborating with researchers across disciplines at Oregon State University and throughout the country.
Our goal is for our research to help family businesses create a positive organizational culture that is critical to success and longevity.
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