The year 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the CSUDH Philanthropic Foundation as an independent, non-profit organization and a charitable successor to the CSUDH Foundation (now known as Toro Auxiliary Partners).

Philanthropy, the simple act of giving back to improve the lives of others, is as old as humanity itself. Every day, I am moved by our Dominguez Hills donors. Their generosity supplements declining government funding, enabling our university to meet critical student needs that would otherwise go unmet.

Ensuring access to high-quality public university education for students from working- and middle-class families is central to the Philanthropic Foundation’s mission. A full 45 percent of our students are trailblazers: the first in their families to go to college. More than 60 percent of our students are eligible for federal Pell Grants; most awards go to students with family incomes below $20,000. Both percentages are among the highest in the CSU system. Although turning adversity into achievement is a superpower of our students and our campus, no one can succeed alone. It takes a village, and the philanthropy of our donors is a cornerstone of CSUDH’s amazing and expanding village.

The Philanthropic Foundation and the division of University Advancement partner to raise funds in support of CSUDH’s mission. Last year, more than 1,900 donors collectively contributed $8.6 million in cash and new pledges, which brought the total for the last three years to almost $48 million. Virtually all donors direct their gifts to benefit their specific areas of interest, such as scholarships, academic or student affairs programs, and others.

The CSU’s operating budget has two main funding sources: the state’s general fund and student tuition and fees. Given that the increased costs of public higher education are not being fully matched by state funding, private philanthropy supporting CSUDH’s programs and endowment has never been more important. Philanthropic donations are critical for our university’s growth, as they help bridge gaps to provide a top-tier education and allow our Toros to move up the socioeconomic ladder.

During its first decade as an independent entity, the Philanthropic Foundation increased its total assets from $16 million to $46 million. The fair market value of its endowment grew from $9 million to nearly $27 million, and its 129 unique endowment funds have distributed over $5 million to support the campus. Board members have volunteered their time and expertise to manage the Foundation’s affairs. To maintain our impressive trajectory, it is imperative that we continue to devote even more resources and time to this effort.

Our donors continue to come together in service of the greater good. They are inspired by our outstanding campus programs and our faculty and staff who transform student lives. Each year, we graduate about 4,400 new leaders into our regional workforce, and our alumni are pillars of our local communities. Five cities in Los Angeles County have elected mayors who are Toro alumni: Carson, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Compton, and Hawthorne. There is no better investment than cultivating the potential of a Dominguez Hills student who is ready to pursue their dreams.

I thank the thousands of donors, volunteers, and board members who, in the last decade, have activated their sense of agency to effect change. The promise of a more just and equitable world, one that reduces income inequality and expands California’s middle class, is tied to our generosity with time and resources. This engagement supports upward social mobility, as evidenced by CSUDH being ranked #1 in the nation by CollegeNET Inc. 2023 Social Mobility Index.

The Philanthropic Foundation has accomplished so much in just ten years, and we’re looking forward to making an even bigger impact in the years to come. Toro alumni or supporters who want to help propel CSUDH into the next decade are invited to join in. Help us help your fellow Toros!

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