The California State University (CSU) announced that it secured $626 million in new gift commitments for the fiscal year 2023–2024, marking it as the third-largest year on record in fundraising. This represents an 8% increase from the previous fiscal year. Excluding a $135 million gift from Mackenzie Scott in 2020–2021, this year becomes the second-largest in CSU’s history.

Click here for the full report.

The contributions play a crucial role in promoting innovation and supporting student success across the CSU system. The impact of these donations extends to local communities, the state, and the nation, highlighting the importance of alum support.

Eighteen CSU campuses reported growth in donations, with 12 institutions achieving double-digit increases. Additionally, the total market value of the CSU endowment has reached an all-time high of over $2.8 billion.

In the 2023–2024 fiscal year, nearly $448 million was donated to the university, with most contributions designated for specific purposes. Only 1% of the total, or $4.7 million, remained unrestricted. The breakdown of current-use donations totaled $294 million and included:
– $92 million for faculty support and academic enrichment
– $42.5 million for student scholarships
– $29.8 million for athletics
– $17 million for academic research
– $5.6 million for student affairs and campus life
– $107 million for other university priorities

In addition, donors provided $58 million for campus improvements, $87 million for endowments, and $3.3 million in irrevocable deferred gifts.

For performance benchmarking, gift receipts are recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) as a standard metric for comparing fundraising results among universities. In contrast, the 19 four-year universities within the State University of New York (SUNY) system raised $298 million in the same fiscal year, with a combined endowment market value of $2.3 billion.

Note: The Board of Trustees of the California State University plans to submit the 2023-2024 CSU Report on Donor Support to the California Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the California Department of Finance, reflecting the university’s fundraising achievements for this period.