The California State University’s strong partnership with its donors helps propel students to new academic heights, providing them with the tools, experiences and resources necessary for success inside and outside the classroom.
Through Graduation Initiative 2025, students across the CSU have the opportunity to graduate in a timely manner according to their personal goals, positively impacting their future and producing the career-ready graduates needed to power our state and nation.
As strategic partners, donors are key in supporting Graduation Initiative 2025 efforts to provide transformative learning experiences that offer unique opportunities for students to conduct cutting-edge research, access state-of-the-art technology and gain
Historic Gift Establishes Center For Agricultural Business
An endowment created by Barbara Grimm-Marshall and Kari Grimm-Anderson to fund a new multidisciplinary learning center at CSU Bakersfield will transform agricultural and business education in the Central Valley.
The $5 million pledge establishing the Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business is the single largest gift in the 50-year history of the campus. The gift also coincides with the 50th anniversary of family-owned Grimmway Farms and honors the legacy of the company’s founders, Rod and Bob Grimm.
The center enables CSU Bakersfield to expose thousands of agribusiness students to new agricultural technologies and modern business practices in the region’s leading industry. It will also offer immersive educational opportunities in conjunction with industry experts.
The center promotes collaboration between faculty, students and the region’s top agricultural leaders, while bolstering CSU Bakersfield’s business programs.
$1.25 Million Gift From Sikand Foundation Establishes Center For Study Of Sustainable And Intelligent Infrastructure
A five-year, $1.25 million gift from The Sikand Foundation to Cal State LA’s College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology creates a new multidisciplinary research and education center that focuses on urban sustainability.
The Sikand Center for Sustainable and Intelligent Infrastructure (Sikand SITI Center) enables faculty and students to expand research in urban sustainability and distinguish Cal State LA’s leadership in the field.
With the launch of the center, The Sikand Foundation continues the legacy of Gunjit Sikand, an entrepreneur and professor who taught in Cal State LA’s Department of Civil Engineering for more than two decades. Sikand greatly valued the campus’ role in providing first-generation college students a high-quality education.
Gift Supports Gravitational-Wave, Engineering And Computer Science Research And Study
A $10 million gift from longtime campus supporters Nicholas and Lee Begovich, one of the largest donations in Cal State Fullerton history, powers teaching and research in gravitational waves, engineering and computer science.
About $7 million of the gift supports faculty and student gravitational-wave research in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. This includes building a state-of-the-art laboratory and upgrading resources to allow students and faculty to continue to play a vital role in future discoveries of gravitational waves.
In recognition of the gift, the new facility was named the Nicholas and Lee Begovich Center for Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy.
Seed Funding Creates Green Biome Institute
Considered the first higher-education institute of its kind in California, Cal State East Bay’s Green Biome Institute was funded through a gift from alumnus and Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation member Randy Davis (BS ’02 and MS ’06) and his wife, Pat. Their gift was part of the campus’ first comprehensive capital campaign, Rising in the East.
Housed in the forthcoming Applied Sciences Center, the Green Biome Institute will allow researchers to study DNA sequencing. The goal is to help researchers preserve the genetic diversity of plants in California, contribute to the discovery of new and useful biological processes that can improve human lives and create publicly available molecular profiles of endangered native California plants.
Alumnus' Support Upgrades Campus Machine Shop
Cal Maritime cadets now have access to state-of-the-art fabrication equipment in the newly upgraded campus machine shop, thanks to the philanthropic support of alumnus Dean Gridley (’70).
Gridley’s philanthropy improves the School of Engineering’s teaching capabilities for faculty and provides students with cutting-edge equipment that will broaden future graduates‘ range of career opportunities in the maritime industry.
Gift From Autodesk Creates Center Of Possibilities
A $1 million gift from design software giant Autodesk creates the Center for Integrated Design and Advanced Manufacturing at CSUN that will transform the region’s engineering, design and manufacturing workforce.
Located near the heart of campus next to Jacaranda Hall, the Center of Possibilities establishes a single, comprehensive space where students can design and create prototype products. The facility will feature areas for team discussion, encouraging students from different disciplines to collaborate during the design, prototyping and testing processes.
Alumni Couple Establishes Center For Innovative Analytics
A significant gift from alumni David (’84) and Ruth Singelyn (’83) to Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Business Administration established the Singelyn Center for Innovative Analytics.
The center features a visual analytics lab, where students can work with faculty using industry-level tools and programs, including new visualization software and interactive displays.
The Singelyns’ gift also provides the resources to launch two new graduate degrees—in business analytics and supply chain —while strengthening undergraduate curriculum and supporting faculty research.
Grant From W. M. Keck Foundation Supports Geological Sciences Students
A $275,000 grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation supports an undergraduate digital-mapping program in Cal State San Bernardino’s Department of Geological Sciences. It places cutting-edge equipment directly into the hands of students, preparing them to succeed in the classroom and in the workforce.
The program enriches students’ learning experiences by providing them with career-ready training as well as exposure to other disciplines, including engineering, archeology and history.
Multimillion-Dollar Commitment Improves Fairfield Osborn Preserve
A $2.85 million gift to Sonoma State from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria improves and expands the environmental education facilities at the 450-acre Fairfield Osborn Preserve on the northwest slope of Sonoma Mountain.
The commitment funds upgrades that include the creation of an outdoor talking circle at the preserve’s education and research center, along with a remodeling of the center to allow greater use by students, faculty, staff, local K-12 students and community members.
The improvements to the Fairfield Osborn Preserve facility reflect Sonoma State’s commitment to sustainability and to helping protect nearby natural resources.
Couple Provides Gift To J. Burton Vasché Library
With a passion for agriculture, sustainability, art and libraries, John and Jeani Ferrari provided a generous gift that helps fund a dramatic remodeling of the J. Burton Vasché Library Building at Stanislaus State.
The library’s main foyer will be named in the couple’s honor, and the $250,000 gift also funds a two-story agriculture-themed mural that greets visitors as they enter. The library project is scheduled for completion in 2021.
The Ferraris hold a commitment to better connecting Stanislaus State with the community and raising awareness of the importance of preserving the region’s farmland and natural resources.