Thanks to hundreds of small-dollar donations as well as spirited fundraising challenges engaging student clubs, teams and programs in good-natured competition, CSUN Giving Day held March 4-5 soared to a new record of more than $1.12 million in contributions across campus.
“I am truly grateful to every Matador and friend who gave to CSUN this Giving Day,” said CSUN President Erika D. Beck. “Each gift is a powerful expression of belief in what our students can achieve. Together we shattered records and expanded opportunities for the aspiring professionals and future leaders of our shared future. This is what it looks like when a community invests in transforming lives.”
Loyal university supporters Milt Valera ’68 (Journalism) and his wife, Debbie, provided seed funding for 11 challenges across Giving Day – the most sponsored by any challenge donor across the campaign. Their challenges supported key areas on campus, including the Milt and Debbie Valera Resilient Scholars Program and basic needs resources provided through the Valera NEST. Their generosity also powered friendly competition for the University Library, and the eight academic colleges through leaderboard challenges that offered additional funds to the programs within each unit that garnered the highest number of donors. The top three programs in each of the colleges earned an additional $1,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively.
More than 140 programs across the university were represented during Giving Day, enabling donors to pledge gifts of any size in support of their favorite university causes, including several new programs. The China Institute joined Giving Day 2026, raising more than $5,600 from more than 20 donors, winning the Valera challenge in the College of Humanities, as did the Department of Elementary Education, which raised more than $2,800 from over 30 donors, winning the Valera challenge in the Michael D. Eisner College of Education.
“Our generous supporters really stepped up this year to establish more matches and donor challenges for Giving Day,” said Nichole Ipach, Vice President for University Relations & Advancement and President of the CSUN Foundation. “It was exciting to watch our leaderboards throughout the campaign as students, alumni, parents and friends made such an incredible impact with their Giving Day gifts.”
Ipach also thanked the CSUN Foundation Board of directors for leading the charge in sponsoring Giving Day challenges and for promoting the campaign through their networks as ambassadors. She also acknowledged the dedication of board chair, Robert Taylor ’82, Hon.D. ’24, who served as the face of the campaign in several communications to alumni audiences.
Indeed, Giving Day Ambassadors played a pivotal role in the success of the 2026 campaign, promoting their favorite CSUN programs on social media. Throughout the 36-hour effort, fans of various CSUN clubs, teams and departments shared Giving Day posts on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram asking for gifts and providing links to the Giving Day website. CSUN’s top Giving Day Ambassador attracted more than 400 donors for Project Rebound, the university’s program to support the higher education and successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated people.
Student Clubs and organizations enjoyed spirited competition to win additional Giving Day funds through President Beck’s Brighter Future Challenge. Matador Athletics teams also competed in a top dollar challenge, with Women’s Tennis earning an extra $6,000 contribution for raising more than $23,500 on Giving Day.
Helping meet the basic needs of all Matadors was a major focus of Giving Day 2026, with opportunities to support CSUN’s Food Pantry, the Housing Insecurity Fund, MataCare Emergency Grants and Matty’s Closet, as well funding numerous scholarships for students.
“On Giving Day, CSUN’s generous donors showed the whole world how much they value our university and care for our students, helping to ensure every Matador has the opportunity to reach their educational and career goals,” Ipach said. “We are so grateful for each and every Giving Day gift and the impact it will have on student success.”
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