Over the past five years, endowment market value has grown by 47 percent, starting at $421 million in 1999-2000 and totaling $621 million in 2003-2004. This growth in endowment market value included $192 million in new endowment gifts over the five-year period. In 2003-2004, donors contributed $39 million toward endowments. Nearly $20 million was distributed from endowment earnings in 2003-2004 to support the university and its students.

The Centennial Campaign at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo played a major role in this growth. The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo endowment ended in 2003-2004 valued at $124 million, nearly double its value in 1999-2000.