About the Philanthropic Foundation

Our Mission

The mission of the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation is to actively promote, pursue and steward private support for the advancement of California State University, Fullerton.

Purpose

The Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation is responsible for the acceptance, receipting, processing and account management of philanthropic gifts to Cal State Fullerton. The Foundation also enables Cal State Fullerton to:

• Engage high-level volunteers in activities that directly support the students, faculty and programs of the university;
• Enhance the management and investment of endowments and planned gifts;
• Promote Cal State Fullerton through the ambassadorship of the Board of Governors; and
• Focus donor relations and stewardship to build quality relationships that lead to major gifts

The Foundation board is comprised of a maximum of 35 volunteer members, known as governors, and university leadership. The governors provide Cal State Fullerton with expertise, fiduciary oversight and advocacy that are focused on enhancing the role that private giving plays in achieving the mission of the university.

The Foundation works closely with and is supported in its fundraising efforts by University Advancement. This office works with alumni and the community to secure gifts and to generate funds that allow Cal State Fullerton to continue its educational mission.

History

In 1994, a group of alumni and local business leaders formed a philanthropic foundation to assist Cal State Fullerton in their efforts to take a great university and make it into an outstanding one. The original founding members of the Foundation were Steve Charton, C.E.O, Don Miguel Mexican Foods; John Francis, Attorney-at-Law; Jerry Goodwin, Owner, Goodwin Honda; Milton Gordon, Former President, Cal State Fullerton; Betty Hutton, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Jack Kidwiler, President, United Park Services; and Warren Pompei, C.E.O., S.A.E., Inc.

The Foundation was recognized as a CSU auxiliary in 1998 as the University Advancement Foundation and is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Foundation’s name was later changed to the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation (CSFPF) and plays a vital role in the university’s goal of increasing private gifts to Cal State Fullerton.