Cal Poly Humboldt alumni, faculty, staff, parents, community members, and friends came together to provide unprecedented support for students and programs. With more than 11,400 gifts totaling over $13.4 million, donors demonstrated their commitment to academic excellence, student success, and research innovation over the past fiscal year 2024-25.

The Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation’s endowment grew to $47.1 million, with $1.9 million distributed to scholarships and programs—one of the largest annual distributions in the University's history. This growth signals not only an increase in resources available today, but also a deepening confidence among donors in Humboldt’s trajectory as California’s third polytechnic university.

Equally notable, 5,100 donors contributed this year, a 2% increase from the previous year. This growth, modest but steady, reflects a widening circle of engagement. Recurring donors—580 individuals who give year after year—anchor this stability and illustrate that Humboldt is cultivating a dedicated base of supporters.

“The generosity and commitment of our donors play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Humboldt,” said Acting Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation, Steve Karp. “Their unwavering support empowers our students to thrive today, while laying a strong foundation for tomorrow. Today’s students benefit directly from a donor community that has consistently invested in opportunities for future generations.” 

Cal Poly Humboldt’s third annual Giving Day in April was a resounding success, raising $303,390 in just 24 hours. With support from 1,172 donors, the event provided vital funding to 121 campus clubs, programs, departments, and scholarships.

The results highlight two powerful trends. First, broad-based participation—with a record 78 campus groups involved—demonstrates that Giving Day is now part of Humboldt’s tradition of giving. Second, the $125,000 in matching gifts shows how donors are increasingly leveraging their contributions to encourage others, multiplying the impact of every dollar raised.

Looking back over the past decade, the growth of scholarships funded through philanthropy has been remarkable. In 2015, the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation awarded 307 scholarships totaling nearly $448,000. Fast forward to 2025, and that number has surged to 923 scholarships amounting to almost $1.3 million. This represents a roughly threefold increase in both the number of scholarship awards and total dollars awarded. The steady upward trend underscores the essential role of donor generosity in expanding educational access. 

The Student Success Scholarship Fund has raised over $15,000 this past fiscal year. This crucial fund ensures that students can continue their education when other forms of aid fall short. Meanwhile, unrestricted funds have increased to nearly $368,000, thanks in part to a realized estate gift. These funds are vital for the University, as they provide the flexibility needed to address urgent student needs as they arise.

To support students facing unexpected challenges, the Student Emergency Grant has disbursed more than $25,000, which is about $5,000 more than last year. This increase demonstrates the generosity of donors stepping up to assist students in crisis. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Humboldt First Initiative, made possible by generous philanthropic support, empowered 350 local students, reinforcing Humboldt’s vital role as a beacon of hope in our region and opening the doors to higher education for local talent.

Collectively, these funds exemplify an environment of giving that addresses immediate challenges through emergency aid and unrestricted support, while also creating long-term opportunities through endowments and scholarships. 

Alongside these funds that sustain students in critical ways, individual and corporate donors are making targeted gifts that expand Humboldt’s capacity for innovation and excellence. These stories illustrate how philanthropy, whether large or small, is transforming the student experience. Gifts include:

• NVIDIA’s Academic Hardware Grant Program made a significant impact on research capacity at Humboldt by providing nine DGX1 supercomputers, each valued at $25,000. These advanced tools are already transforming research across various fields, including artificial intelligence, biology, and climate science. 
• David Tyler (‘83, English, Philosophy) has demonstrated exceptional philanthropy through his steadfast commitment to giving. Since 2007, he has supported an array of programs, from the Philosophy department to the Toyon magazine and student arts experiences. His remarkable 18-year record of consistent giving highlights the true power of sustained support, emphasizing that philanthropy is as much about passion and dedication as it is about financial contributions.
• Jack and Charlene Liebau have honored the legacy of education by establishing the Marie Jacobs Liebau Endowed Scholarship for Teaching. This scholarship pays tribute to Jack’s mother, Marie Jacobs (‘29, Education). Their generous gift ensures that future generations of teachers will receive the support they need, much like Marie Jacobs Liebau did in her time.

Together, these inspiring stories reflect the impact of various forms of giving—whether it be state-of-the-art equipment, consistent annual support, or endowed scholarships—all of which contribute to creating a richer educational environment for Humboldt students.

In the past year, Cal Poly Humboldt's Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Foundation has made significant strides in securing funding for various initiatives. The foundation submitted 302 new proposals that collectively requested an impressive $128 million. In that same time, 199 new awards were secured, bringing in $58.7 million in research funding. Humboldt's faculty and staff show impressive ambition and resilience in seeking external funding. They are increasingly competitive in winning awards. 

In terms of regional economic development, the launch of StartUp Humboldt, a joint venture of university-affiliated and non-university-affiliated partners, reflects the University's commitment to fostering innovation. By offering mentorship, workshops, and seed-stage support, this hub connects the creativity found on campus with entrepreneurial opportunities in the community. Next year, a planned competition with up to $200,000 in investments is anticipated to stimulate job creation further and drive innovation on the North Coast.

From record-breaking Giving Day participation to multimillion-dollar research awards, giving from this past fiscal year paints a promising picture: donor numbers are steadily increasing. As a result, scholarship support is rapidly scaling to provide more opportunities for students, and transformational gifts and partnerships are actively shaping the academic and research landscape at Humboldt.

Together, donors, faculty, staff, and students are creating opportunities that ensure Humboldt continues to thrive as California’s polytechnic for the North Coast.

Learn more about the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation at giving.humboldt.edu or contact the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation at (707) 826-5200.

Learn more about the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Foundation at humboldt.edu/research or contact the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Foundation at (707) 826-4189 or by e-mail at hsuf@humboldt.edu.