CSUSM Kicks Off Historic $200 Million Fundraising Campaign

As one of the nation’s top universities for advancing social mobility, Cal State San Marcos has transformed lives and strengthened communities for more than three decades. Now, through the largest fundraising campaign in university history, CSUSM aims to raise $200 million to support student success and power the region’s future. 

CSUSM officially launched its “Blueprint for the Future” campaign on Sept. 19. It’s an effort that combines philanthropy with grants and research funding. The campaign’s theme reflects both the physical growth on campus and the forward momentum building at CSUSM. 

To underscore this momentum, CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt launched the campaign with the announcement of a transformational $10 million philanthropic investment from Hunter Industries to support the construction of CSUSM’s new Integrated Science and Engineering (ISE) Building. This ranks among the largest philanthropic gifts in CSUSM’s history – joining landmark contributions from Price Philanthropies and the Epstein Family Foundation at the same level.

“The ‘Blueprint for the Future’ campaign is our commitment to reimagining what’s possible in higher education,” Neufeldt said. “We are a university that is different by design, which means we are truly intentional about how we meet our mission of student success. This campaign is more than a call to give – it’s a call to transform lives, uplift families and power the future of our region.”  

Building on a strong foundation of student success, career readiness and community impact, “Blueprint for the Future” is guided by three pillars:  

• Innovate – driving bold ideas and solutions that expand opportunity.  
• Accelerate – advancing student success and creating lasting impact. 
• Cultivate – strengthening community connections and pathways from education into careers.  

“What excites me most about CSUSM is how innovation here directly translates into workforce opportunity,” said Simon Kuo, chair of the CSUSM Foundation Board and vice president of corporate quality at Viasat. “The ‘Blueprint for the Future’ campaign is about fueling new ideas and building the pipeline of talent our region needs to thrive – from health care and technology to education and the arts.”  

With more than 70% of the goal raised at the time of the public launch in September, “Blueprint for the Future” is off to a strong start. Thanks to philanthropic gifts and research funding, CSUSM has been able to:  

• Launch the Scholars in Wellness and Innovation Fast-Track (SWIFT) Health Programs, a unique accelerated three-year degree with dual enrollment starting in high school.  
• Break ground on the new ISE Building, expanding STEM programs and increasing enrollment capacity.  
• Significantly grow the endowment to support the work of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC).  
• Advance research in areas such as quantum information science and technology, further develop undergraduate STEM education and expand workforce development through the Veterans to Naval Careers program.  
• Strengthen the work of the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care by expanding to other CSU campuses. 

Discover how you can be part of CSUSM’s historic “Blueprint for the Future” campaign. 

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314