Jeff Jackanicz, Ph.D.
University Advancement
SFSU Foundation
It is my privilege to share San Francisco State University’s 2025 Donor Impact Report, which celebrates philanthropy as a powerful force for opportunity across our University. Over the past year, your generosity helped students thrive and grow, fueled faculty-led innovation, and reinforced SFSU’s role as a public university committed to opportunity, excellence, and upward social mobility.
Across SFSU, donor investment expanded scholarship access, strengthened student success initiatives, and supported meaningful academic and career-connected experiences at scale, including undergraduate research, creative and performing arts, leadership development, and hands-on learning tied to workforce and community needs.
Philanthropy also advanced faculty excellence through endowed chairs, research support, and investments in programs that elevate teaching, spark innovation, and address pressing challenges in areas such as health, technology, sustainability, equity, and civic engagement.
Together, these efforts are reflected not only in the stories below, but also in national recognition of SFSU’s impact. Last year, SFSU again ranked among the nation’s top universities for social mobility and return on investment, affirming our role as a launchpad for opportunity and economic mobility for students and families across the Bay Area and beyond.
I would also like to draw your attention to the Spotlight section of this report, which showcases recent accomplishments that underscore the momentum and reach of an SFSU education.
Collectively, the stories in this report reflect the breadth of what you make possible at SFSU and reaffirm the vital role of public higher education in transforming lives and strengthening our region. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Warm regards,
Jeff Jackanicz, Ph.D.
Vice President, University Advancement
President, San Francisco State University Foundation
Your Gift Makes Success Possible
Philanthropy at SFSU is driving meaningful outcomes. Donations to SFSU create a chain reaction of success that reverberates across the community. Each dollar matters here, and together your support of our students, faculty, and programs creates a level of excellence that would not be possible without your investment.
Please continue scrolling down the page to view the impact report.
Supporting Students
Many SFSU students need to work at jobs while balancing their course loads. One $1,000 scholarship provides the same financial support as approximately 54 hours of minimum wage work in San Francisco — the same investment of time needed for a student to take one class. Many students report a boost in confidence and a deepened sense of belonging at the University when they are awarded a scholarship.
Total scholarship money awarded = $3.65M
Number of scholarships awarded = 1,678
Number of new scholarships funded = 27
Data reflects fiscal year 2024-25
Alumni Donors
SFSU has over 300,000 alumni, the majority of whom live in the SF Bay Area. The University’s alumni work in every sector – from artists to healthcare providers to fintech executives. They often have a strong drive to help their community and a “giving back” ethic. Last year, nearly 50% of SFSU donors were alumni, and many alumni give to the students who come after them in other ways, such as via career support and mentoring.
Alumni donors = 1,644
Total donated by alumni = $6M
Data reflects fiscal year 2024-25
Impact of Giving
Number of gifts to SFSU = 5,565
Endowment value of San Francisco State University Foundation = $186.39M
Total donated to the University = $28.7M
3,402 total donors
1,308 new donors
Data reflects fiscal year 2024-25
Spotlight: SFSU Shines Brightly
Selected achievements, honors, appointments, and moments of national recognition that reflect the reach and real-world impact of an SFSU education.
Delroy Lindo (B.A., Cinema, ’04), SFSU Foundation director, earns Oscar nomination for ‘Sinners’
Delroy Lindo reflects on the education, mentors, and lived experiences that shaped his career — and how returning to campus continues his commitment to students pursuing creative work grounded in humanity and purpose.
Poh Si Teng (B.A., Journalism, ’07) wins Emmy for ‘Patrice: The Movie’
Poh Si Teng traces her journey from the SFSU newsroom to international documentary recognition, crediting her time on campus as formative in developing her voice, values, and commitment to storytelling that centers dignity and lived experience.
Emmy-nominated TV writer Michael Poryes mentors SFSU students
Michael Poryes brings professional writers’ room insight into the classroom, guiding students through craft, confidence-building, and career pathways while elevating the voices of scholarship-supported students who have powerful personal stories.
Matt Black (B.A., History, ’94) is awarded a 2025 MacArthur Genius Grant
Matt Black’s work documents overlooked communities across the United States, combining rigorous research with visual storytelling, an approach shaped by his academic training and long-standing commitment to social justice.
Michael Papadakis (B.A., Art, ’10) creates the cover for Time magazine’s “Time100 Climate 2025” edition
Michael Papadakis created TIME’s cover using sunlight itself — a striking fusion of art, science, and storytelling rooted in his SFSU training. He merges fine art and environmental inquiry in his work, using an unconventional process to explore climate urgency and artistic responsibility.
Lam Family College of Business students deliver TEDx experience at SFSU
Business students produced TEDx SF State from concept to completion, gaining hands-on professional experience through a large-scale, idea-driven event. The project showcased student leadership while amplifying voices shaping business, innovation, and social impact.
SFSU becomes first CSU campus to join the IBM Quantum Network
The milestone partnership expands access to emerging technologies, giving students and faculty new opportunities to engage with advanced computing and interdisciplinary research, and positioning SFSU at the forefront of workforce preparation in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape.
SFSU recognized with 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement
SFSU earned a prestigious national recognition for its sustained commitment to preparing students through civic engagement, public service, and community-based learning. Graduates are empowered to lead with purpose and to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to their communities.
Across the University
SFSU Attracts National Recognition for Quality Educational Experience and ROI
New national rankings affirm San Francisco State University’s growing return on investment, strong affordability, and leadership in social mobility. These outcomes reflect sustained donor support that helps students access high-quality education, graduate with less debt, and translate academic opportunity into long-term economic and professional success.
A Message of Gratitude: Students Share Personal Thank-Yous to Donors
December saw the debut of a new, short video from students thanking SFSU’s generous donors for their support. Judging from the responses we received, we’re confident that our donors appreciated these personal messages from five students. If you missed it in your crowded holiday inbox, here's another chance to enjoy this short and heartfelt thank-you from our students — our greatest ambassadors and the future leaders of tomorrow. Your support is truly changing their lives.
Gators Give Day Surpasses Goal, a Rousing Success
Uniting alumni, parents, and friends in a powerful day of giving that exceeded fundraising goals, SFSU's first-ever Gators Give Day raised over $109,000 from more than 640 donors in just 24 hours, supporting scholarships, academic programs, and student organizations. The event highlighted strong community spirit, with contributions supporting scholarships, student organizations, and campus initiatives.
Corporate & Foundation Relations
SFSU Expands Tech Career Pathways Through Apple’s Next-Gen Innovators Program
SFSU School of Engineering students were selected for Apple’s highly competitive Next-Gen Innovators Mentorship Program, gaining access to industry mentorship, technical training, and professional networks. By connecting students with working engineers, the program broadens career pathways and reflects the impact of corporate partnership in preparing future technology leaders.
Gilead Innovation Initiative Launches the Next Generation of Student Scientists
Funding from the Gilead Foundation launched a cohort-based initiative supporting student scientists through research opportunities, mentorship, and career preparation. The program strengthens pathways into STEM fields and demonstrates how philanthropic partnerships expand access to high-impact educational and professional experiences.
Studying Karl the Fog: Advancing Climate Research Through Faculty-Led, Student-Engaged Science
The Heising-Simons Foundation awarded SFSU School of the Environment Associate Professor Sara Baguskas and her collaborators a five-year, $3.65 million grant (approximately $730,000 per university) for the Pacific Coastal Fog Research (PCFR) project. The researchers will lead a major coastal climate study focused on fog systems along the Pacific Coast. The project advances environmental science while engaging students in large-scale, real-world research that addresses climate resilience and ecological change.
Agilent Partnership Advances Hands-On Science Through Industry Investment
A significant investment from Agilent Technologies equipped SFSU’s Science & Engineering Innovation Center with cutting-edge analytical instrumentation. The new technology expands hands-on learning, strengthens research capacity, and ensures students gain experience with industry-standard tools, preparing them for careers in science, engineering, and applied research.
Biodesign Challenge 2025: Design Students Compete on Global Stage
With support from donors including the MillerKnoll Foundation, SFSU School of Design students traveled to New York to compete in the international Biodesign Challenge. One of a handful of teams selected for the Challenge, SFSU students presented a project that brought environmental recovery, innovation, and community values into the design studio. Watch the team's video about the project.
Gator Athletics
#StartSmall Fund Establishes Historic Endowment for Women's Sports
On the heels of a historic year for women's volleyball and softball, a $450,000 gift from Jack Dorsey's #StartSmall Fund will help student-athletes participating in women's sports pursue their passion while thriving in the classroom. The endowment is the largest in Gator Athletics history and the largest single gift for women's athletics at SFSU. This partnership supports the belief that when girls rise through sports and education, so do their communities.
National Champion Johnny Lopez Caps a Milestone Season for Gator Wrestling
Johnny Lopez captured the 141-pound national championship, earning SFSU its first individual wrestling title in more than a decade. His achievement reflects years of discipline, coaching, and institutional support — and highlights how investment in student-athletes fuels excellence both on the mat and beyond.
SFSU Named NCAA Division II Award of Excellence Finalist
SFSU was named a national finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence, recognizing outstanding community engagement, student leadership, and service. The honor reflects Gator Athletics’ commitment to developing student-athletes who lead with purpose in their academic success, civic responsibility, and positive impact beyond competition.
Planned Giving
Opening Doors Through Legacy: Elle Gianforte’s Planned Gift to SFSU
Although she was unable to attend SFSU after being accepted to its graduate program in Creative Writing in the late 1960s, author Elle Gianforte chose to include SFSU in her estate plans decades later. Her bequest will create scholarships for Creative Writing students, transforming a closed door from her past into lasting opportunity for future writers.
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Birdy Wei-Ting Hung (MFA, ’24) Wins the Oscar
SFSU alum Birdy Wei-Ting Hung won gold in the Alternative/Experimental category of the Student Academy Awards competition for her thesis film, “A Brighter Summer Day for the Lady Avengers.” Birdy's acceptance speech at the Awards ceremony included a shout-out to SFSU, where, as an MFA student, she received the Jennifer Hammett Endowed Scholarship in Cinema. Watch the short video that the School of Cinema made to highlight Birdy's success and a recording of the Student Academy Award Ceremony (at 20:02 Birdy talks about her film, and 31:06 she gives her acceptance speech).
Marcus Endowed Chair Artel Great publishes “The Black Pack: Comedy, Race & Resistance”
Artel Great, Marcus Endowed Chair in African-American Cinema Studies, published ”The Black Pack,” a groundbreaking book exploring how Black comedians of the 1980s and ’90s reshaped American culture. His work advances the field of cinema studies while underscoring how donor-funded faculty positions make transformative scholarship possible.
From Classroom to KQED: Student Journalism on the Air
Scholarship awardees Sean Young (Alexander Kauffman Memorial Endowed Scholarship) and Travis Raburn (Otto J. Bos Memorial Scholarship and Torri Minton Scholarship) joined fellow Journalism and BECA students in producing KQED’s The Future of the Bay. Sean graduated recently with a degree in Journalism and a minor in California Studies, and Travis is preparing for a career as an international correspondent with upcoming studies in foreign reporting at the Danish School of Media and Journalism. Their stories highlight how scholarships empower students to hone their craft and share authentic stories with the world.
“Beads & Belonging” Exhibition
The SFSU Fine Arts Gallery's exhibition, Beads & Belonging, explored the ways beadwork and beads are common means of expression across cultures. Guest curated by Kristina Singleton (M.A., Museum Studies, ’25), this exhibition — made possible with the support of the Zellerbach Family Foundation — featured works by Demetri Broxton, Taraneh Hemami, Chelsea Kaiah, John Paul Morabito, Gabrielle Severson, Charlene Tan, and Nico Williams. The Fine Arts Gallery has more exhibitions planned for the balance of the 2025-26 academic year.
Graduate College of Education
SFSU Students Foster Inclusive Entrepreneurship at SF Disability Business Alliance’s Boost Awards
SFSU students and alumni helped bring to life a vibrant community event that elevated entrepreneurs and strengthened inclusive economic connections. Through hands-on collaboration with community partners, students applied their academic training while reinforcing the University’s role as a trusted, mission-driven partner committed to equity and access.
College of Ethnic Studies
Cassie Miura Helps Launch a New Era in Nikkei Studies at SFSU
Made possible by a $4.2 million gift from the Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation, the Takahashi Distinguished Chair in Nikkei Studies is already expanding learning at SFSU. In her first semester, Cassie Miura has engaged students through public scholarship, community partnerships, and cultural programming that deepen understanding of Japanese American and global Nikkei experiences.
Meredith Morgan Eliassen Fellowship: Empowering Women Leaders in California Communities
Meredith Morgan Eliassen (B.A., ’88), a fifth-generation Californian, found her passion in archival research and local history after initially pursuing broadcasting, ultimately becoming a Special Collections librarian and University archivist at SFSU. She established the Meredith Morgan Eliassen Fellowship to support undergraduate research on California women who have shaped communities, fostering critical thinking and ethical scholarship in uncovering often-overlooked histories.
Lam Family College of Business
In Conversation with Chris Larsen (B.S., Business, ’84), Former Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan Emphasizes Humanity, Inner Strength in a Changing Job Market
Through a candid campus conversation, SFSU students gained insight into values-driven leadership, resilience, and navigating uncertainty in today’s evolving workforce. The discussion reinforced the importance of grounding professional success in empathy, purpose, and human connection.
Recognizing Excellence in Global Business Education: Susan Cholette appointed Y.F. Chang Endowed Chair
Professor Susan Cholette was named the Y.F. Chang Endowed Chair in International Business, a prestigious faculty honor that advances SFSU’s global business education thanks to Y.F. Chang’s investment in faculty excellence. This recognition builds on her 2021 Lam-Larsen Distinguished Teaching Professorship, highlighting how donor support empowers outstanding faculty in both teaching and research.
2025-2027 Lam-Larsen Distinguished Professorships: Elevating Teaching Excellence Through Faculty Distinction
Twelve outstanding faculty members in the Lam Family College of Business were honored with Lam-Larsen Distinguished Professorships in teaching, research, and service. Funded by the generosity of Chris Larsen (B.S. ’84) and Lyna Lam, these professorships recognize excellence and provide critical support that helps faculty advance student learning and innovation in business education.
College of Health & Social Sciences
Strengthening Health, Equity, and Workforce Pathways Across SFSU
Across the College of Health & Social Sciences, philanthropic and public investments are expanding access to education, reducing financial barriers, and preparing students for high-impact careers. From a $5.3 million grant supporting Master of Social Work students serving California’s most vulnerable communities, to scholarships and internships in Recreation, Parks & Tourism, to donor- and partner-supported clinical training in Nursing, these efforts reflect SFSU’s deep commitment to student success, community well-being, and a strong, compassionate workforce.
College of Science & Engineering
Kenneth S. Fong Translational Research Award Symposium Celebrates Interdisciplinary Research
The Fong Research Symposium highlighted the Kenneth S. Fong Translational Research Award, which funds cross-disciplinary faculty projects advancing real-world solutions. Since its inception in 2016, the award has supported more than two dozen faculty. This year’s awardees are tackling challenges from climate change to communication access. A biotech entrepreneur and Clontech founder, Ken Fong (B.A. ’71; M.A. ’74), Ph.D., traces his career success back to the spark he found in an SFSU molecular biology class.
Kirkeberg Scholarship Supports Angela Tafur’s Leadership in Environmental Justice
Angela Tafur, a geography major and the first recipient of the Max Kirkeberg Scholarship, is dedicated to expanding access to outdoor spaces and environmental education. Inspired by her Peruvian heritage and driven by a passion for environmental justice, she leads student efforts at SFSU to make field experiences and nature-based learning more inclusive for her peers.
Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
CSU Trustees’ highest student award goes to SFSU graduate student Gabriel Singer (B.A., ’25)
Gabriel Singer, a Project Rebound graduate student, received the CSU Trustees’ Award, the CSU’s highest student honor. His recognition reflects both his advocacy for prison reform and the impact of donor-funded scholarships. Project Rebound at SFSU has provided over 50 years of transformative support for formerly incarcerated students, helping make higher education more accessible and fostering justice through education.
Alum Jessie Peterson (B.A., Sociology & Criminal Justice,’14) swore San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie into office
Jessie Peterson, Esq., an SFSU and Guardian Scholars Program (GSP) alum, was chosen by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to administer his oath of office in January 2025 in a meaningful recognition of her journey and commitment to public service. Once a foster youth navigating college without a safety net, Jessie found stability, community, and belonging through GSP, which she credits with giving her "a place to call home." Today, she serves as an Associate Deputy State Public Defender, advocating for clients and ensuring they are treated with humanity and dignity.
Celebrating 10 years of the President’s Leadership Fellows Program
SFSU's Career and Leadership Development office celebrated the 10th anniversary of the President’s Leadership Fellows Program (PLFP), honoring alumni, university leaders, and philanthropist Kathy Kwan for empowering over 2,000 students with career skills and mentorship since 2014. The program has helped students build confidence and professional success across disciplines, with alumni crediting PLFP for shaping their leadership journeys.
Alum Neda Nobari funds major expansion of Presidential Scholars Program
SFSU received a major gift from alum Neda Nobari to expand the Presidential Scholars Program (PSP), which supports high-achieving first-generation, low-income Bay Area students by fully covering tuition, housing, and books for four years. The expansion more than doubles the program’s size and prioritizes STEM students, who are named Maryam Mirzakhani Scholars in honor of the renowned mathematician.
Empowered by Your Support, the Guardian Scholars Thrived in 2025
In 2025, the Guardian Scholars Program (GSP) continued to provide transformative support for students who have experienced foster care, helping them persist, graduate, and envision bold futures. Through academic advising, housing and childcare support, leadership development, mental health resources, and immersive career experiences—including visits to leading technology companies—GSP fosters stability, belonging, and opportunity. With retention and graduation rates that far exceed national averages, the program demonstrates how sustained donor support changes lives. Alumni and student stories — from Jazz Hudson and Bonta Hill to Jessie Peterson — reflect the lasting impact of a program built on care, community, and belief in student potential.
