California is renewing its investment in public higher education, and the rise in this year’s charitable giving to the California State University demonstrates the commitment of corporations, foundations and private individuals to help the CSU further its mission of educating students and sustaining high-impact learning.

The CSU received $338 million in gift commitments in 2012-13, an increase of 14 percent from the previous year, according to the university’s Philanthropic Annual Report. Donor support also reached historic highs for the CSU system and campuses, with a record $282.9 million in charitable gift receipts and an unprecedented $1.18 billion endowment market value. This year marks the third consecutive year that the total market value for CSU endowments exceeded $1 billion.

“The level of growth in charitable giving is inspiring and has been essential in enhancing academic programs at the CSU,” said Garrett P. Ashley, CSU vice chancellor for University Relations and Advancement. “The generous contributions of our donors and supporters have served as the foundation for the university to expand high-impact learning through inventive programs, applied research and community engagement.”

Philanthropic support plays a vital role in helping the CSU fulfill its goal of providing access, affordability, quality and completion for all students. With gift commitments reaching record highs this year, donor support further shows how the CSU serves as a vital economic engine for California.

Individual donations from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends increased $28.6 million, or 27 percent, to $135.8 million. Among the 221,394 individuals who donated to the CSU system and campuses in 2012-13, many are dedicated to expanding opportunities for students. Inspired by San José State’s commitment to innovation and advancement, Jack and Emma Anderson left $8.7 million of their estate to the university’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

This year, gift receipts from organizations increased $14 million, or 11 percent, to $147 million. Foundation contributions increased to $79.7 million, while donations from corporations held relatively steady at $51 million.

Corporate giving serves campus and community needs by helping bolster the quality of educational programs. Continuous contributions from the James Irvine Foundation have been vital in funding pioneering efforts in Linked Learning, a project-based learning that links classroom instruction to practical applications found in career settings.

“With the support of the James Irvine Foundation, I’ve been able to explore how small-group project-based team learning influences student learning at Millikan High School,” said Felicia Anderson, doctoral candidate at CSU Long Beach and assistant principal at David Starr Jordan High School. “Linked Learning is about bringing knowledge to life. It is about teachers going from good to great and beautiful works of student expression.”

Click here for the full 2012-13 Philanthropic Annual Report. Below are the areas that received funding from charitable gifts receipts:

• Endowments – $62.1 million
• Academic enrichment – $49.3 million
• Public service programs – $31.8 million
• Building projects – $13.0 million
• Student scholarships – $19.0 million
• Athletics – $16.5 million
• Applied research -$6.3 million
• Irrevocable deferred gifts – $22.7 million
• Library resources – $4.5 million
• Facility improvements – $1.7 million
• Faculty support – $2.8 million
• Designations for other university needs – $41.8 million
• Unrestricted – $11.4 million

About the California State University

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 437,000 students and 44,000 faculty and staff. The CSU awards about 96,000 degrees annually and since its creation in 1961 has conferred nearly 2.8 million.