![\"Courtney](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/CSF-L-FUNDRAISER-0208-2.jpg\")
Courtney Schultz, director of annual giving\nand stewardship at Cal State Fullerton (Photo courtesy of Cal State Fullerton)<\/p>\n
March 11 will be an important day for Cal State Fullerton. In a little over a month, the university will host the seventh-annual Titans Give, a 24-hour fundraiser that helps support CSUF\u2019s assortment of campus programs, clubs and scholarships, as well as a host of other essential resources. Ultimately, though, Titans Give highlights what the university is all about: student achievement.<\/p>\n
The event has raised nearly $3.5 million over the past six years. Last year\u2019s effort was particularly successful, said Courtney Schultz, CSUF\u2019s interim director of Annual Giving & Stewardship. \u201cThe goal in 2025 was $720,000, from 2,900 donors. However, we completely blew that out of the water,\u201d Schultz said, noting that the event raised $942,996, from 3,909 donors.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s goal is $1 million. \u201cWe definitely think it\u2019s achievable,\u201d Schultz said. \u201cOne of our overarching goals is our 50 State Challenge, to have a donor from every U.S. state. We succeeded last year, and we even had donors from all over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cal State Fullerton students benefit from Titan Gives in a multitude of ways. In addition to annual scholarships and critical assistance for students who are struggling financially, donations help support student groups. \u201cAll of these groups, especially the clubs, really love to fundraise for this day, because it helps with all the work they do,\u201d Schlutz said. \u201cSo they\u2019re able to go to conferences, bring in guest speakers and provide supplies to students who are participating in community projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
For example, thanks to Titans Give, students from the College of Communications were able to travel to Paris to cover the 2024 Summer Olympics.<\/p>\n
The fundraiser is limited to one day for a good reason. \u201cIt\u2019s structured as a 24-hour event because the limited timeframe creates a sense of urgency and focus, which are really key drivers to participation,\u201d Schultz said. \u201cA single day like Titans Give allows us to rally the campus and our community around a shared moment, making the effort feel collective and time-bound, rather than open-ended.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nearly 150 programs, centers, scholarships and clubs will participate in Titans Give this year, Schultz noted. Prominent campus organizations that are part of the event include the Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the Alumni Association, Titans Athletics, and DIRC: the university\u2019s Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, among many others.<\/p>\n
A high-profile on-campus promotion, Lunch Hour Liftoff, will take place on the big day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Titan Student Union. Everyone there will have the chance to help a CSUF cause. And off campus, Big\u2019s Fullerton Bar & Grill will host a Titans Give Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. \u201cThis event lets us celebrate the impact of our donations,\u201d Schultz said. \u201cAttendees can enjoy great food, and we\u2019ll have some exciting prizes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Courtney Schultz, director of annual giving
\nand stewardship at Cal State Fullerton (Photo courtesy of Cal State Fullerton)<\/p>\n
Donors have the flexibility to support their chosen college department, program, scholarship or student organization. They can also split their gift across different areas. \u201cDonors can give in a way that\u2019s most meaningful to them,\u201d Schultz said. \u201cAnd if they don\u2019t see a specific fund listed, they can write in the university area they want to support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those who don\u2019t have a particular university resource earmarked are encouraged to give to four resources deemed as \u201cgreatest needs\u201d by the university: the Titan Fund, Titan Scholarship Fund, the President\u2019s Strategic Fund and Basic Needs Services. \u201cThese are our most important areas,\u201d Schultz said, emphasizing the importance of Basic Needs Services, as well as the Associated Students Inc. Food Pantry. \u201cBeing able to provide help to students when they need it most is really crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the 24-hour event, which runs until 11:59 p.m. on March 11, those who donate can have their gift matched, due to the generosity of several organizations and corporations, including the Anaheim Ducks and PepsiCo. \u201cIf somebody says they\u2019re going to give $25, we\u2019ll also give $25,\u201d Schultz said.<\/p>\n
Titans Give \u201cchallenges,\u201d Schultz noted, are tied to specific donor goals. \u201cOnce a donor goal is met, we unlock additional funding. For example, one of our challenges this year is for the Alumni Association Scholarship. When 90 donors make a gift of any size to this scholarship, a $5,000 challenge gift will be unlocked. However, the dollar amounts typically vary from challenge to challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schultz anticipates a great outcome this year. \u201cTogether, we can make that $1 million goal,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n