About California State University San Marcos Foundation
Our mission is to inspire inclusive and transformational philanthropy in support of student success at CSUSM.
Focus Areas
student successstudent financial aidfaculty teaching and researchfacility improvementsacademic programsphilanthropyendowment management
Who They Fund
university/college studentsengineering studentscampus community (faculty, staff, students)
Funding Style
direct support to individuals (scholarships)capital/infrastructure funding
About California State University San Marcos Foundation
The largest recent awards from California State University San Marcos Foundation are tied to student scholarships at California State University San Marcos, with grants of $1,419,201 in 2025, $1,271,554 in 2024, and $1,405,356 in 2023. That pattern shows a funder built around recurring support for student financial aid rather than one-off project giving. The foundation also directs substantial support to campus mission priorities, including $585,658 in 2025 and $231,297 in 2024 for funds to support the campus mission. Beyond student aid, the recent record includes a $377,224 grant for an engineering program, a $148,867 grant for an innovation hub, and a $132,212 grant for other capital projects. These awards point to a university foundation that funds both people and infrastructure: scholarships, academic programs, and campus improvements within the CSUSM ecosystem. The grant record is tightly centered on the university itself, with the recipient consistently being California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, California.
What California State University San Marcos Foundation Funds
Student scholarships are the clearest theme in the recent record. California State University San Marcos Foundation gave $1,419,201 in 2025, $1,271,554 in 2024, and $1,405,356 in 2023 for student scholarships. Academic and program support also appears in the grant labeled engineering program, funded at $377,224 in 2023. Campus infrastructure is another strand: a $148,867 grant supported the innovation hub, and a $132,212 grant covered other capital projects. The foundation also made two awards described as funds to support the campus mission, including $585,658 in 2025 and $231,297 in 2024. Across these examples, the common thread is support for student success and campus priorities at California State University San Marcos rather than broad external philanthropy.
How California State University San Marcos Foundation Gives
Typical grant size is mid-six figures: the 25th percentile is $210,690, the median is $481,441, and the 75th percentile is $1,305,004. The recent record also shows repeated awards over multiple years to the same university recipient, indicating ongoing institutional support rather than isolated grants. The foundation operates as a university foundation with grants administered through CSUSM-linked programs and endowed funds. One listed channel, Cougar Crowdfunding, accepts unsolicited proposals for CSUSM-affiliated projects; other programs such as endowment scholarships and annual fund scholarships do not accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.3M
Total Assets
$72M
Total Revenue
$12.4M
Total Expenses
$7.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $211K and $1.3M, with a median of $481K.
25th Percentile
$211K
Median
$481K
75th Percentile
$1.3M
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
JESSICA BERGER
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