Campaign Update

‘It Takes a Titan’ Campaign Enters Its Final Year With High Momentum

Was it only two years ago that Cal State Fullerton introduced its public phase of the “It Takes a Titan” philanthropic campaign? As we enter the final year of the initiative, in some ways the launch seems long ago, and in others, just yesterday.

The tumult and trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic may have played with our collective sense of time, but it did not affect Titans’ resolve to support student success and move the university forward.

Thanks to the deep-seated generosity of more than 61,600 donors and 35,500 alumni, as of mid-March, CSUF has raised $248.7 million toward the $250 million target (99% to goal).

In June 2021, MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett bestowed an unrestricted $40 million gift upon CSUF, injecting additional momentum into the campaign and providing an unforeseen opportunity to reach even greater heights of success.

The university has been working hard to optimize the impact of the Scott/Jewett gift. CSUF’s leadership team invested $15 million in the endowment to benefit Titans in perpetuity and $11 million in highpriority areas such as academics, the Titan student experience, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Another $11 million went toward a matching gift program to incentivize additional giving, nearly all of which has been claimed. The matching program also provided an extra boost for #TitansGive, CSUF’s third annual day of giving in March 2022, which brought in a record $491,900.

The remaining $3 million, leadership established the ScottJewett Fund for Innovation and Student Success. Campus members — including students — were encouraged to submit proposals for one-time funding for programs or activities that focus on student success and innovation through the lens of social justice. More than 130 applications were submitted in March 2022. A cross-campus team is currently evaluating proposals for funding of up to $1 million this year. The annual program will continue for three years.

These developments promise an exciting 2022, with Titans continuing to put forth their best and rallying for an unprecedented year of generosity and support to elevate the potential of all Titan students.