CSUMB Vision 2020 campaign exceeds $100 million goal

CSUMB is overwhelmed and grateful to the community for their generous donations, exceeding our fundraising goals. The university launched the first-ever comprehensive campaign in July 2015 and the public phase of the Vision 2020 campaign last May with a stretch goal of reaching $100 million in donations. The campaign concluded on Dec. 31, 2020, achieving $100,822,500 in philanthropic commitments.

“We are humbled by the outpouring of support for our students, academic programs, and facility expansion, specifically during these difficult times,” said Eduardo Ochoa, president of CSUMB. “The contributions from our community prepare us well for success in our next 25 years, helping many students achieve their educational dreams.”

More than 4,182 donors - community members, faculty, staff, alumni- gave close to 14,000 gifts, including the largest gift ever to the university from longtime Monterey Peninsula resident, Robert Darwin, supporting student success and scholarships in perpetuity. The majority are planned or legacy gifts, but numerous gifts are already at work to meet immediate needs. In the past year, the support for student basic needs has been paramount. Leadership gifts from many, including CSUMB Foundation Board member Debbie Juran, significantly impacted dozens of students’ ability to remain in college.

All campaign areas received tremendous support, including academic excellence, state of the art facilities, program innovation, student success, and discretionary funds. Donor stories are available on the campaign website, and they share in their own words why each chose to support CSUMB during the campaign.

In addition to gifts focused on student success, many also supported faculty and academic programs. Through their generosity, the university created two new endowed professorships, the Robert and Sue Johnson Professorship in the College of Science and the Institute of English Learners in the College of Education. Donors also contributed to developing programs, including support to launch the new Master of Science Physician Assistant degree. Significant faculty support for research and scholarship was designated to the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the College of Education, and the College of Business.

Paving the way for our future, gifts also contributed to capital investments. These donations included contributions for a new College of Science building—that will also house an engineering program—supported by Bertie Bialek Elliott, Julie Packard, the Packard Foundation, Taylor Farms, and Bruce Taylor. Enhancements to the university athletic fields are supported by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.

“We are grateful that so many people and organizations chose to support the work of the university to enrich the lives of our community,” said Barbara Zappas, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the Foundation of CSUMB. “Philanthropic support provides the impetus to reach beyond our ability as a state-funded institution. Every gift received exceeded our expectations, inspiring us to reach new heights. Our donors not only showed support for CSUMB, but also for the future of the central coast, and it expresses their commitment to enhancing lives through higher education.”