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California State University Long Beach’s (�°������ϲ�����) ongoing Declare Campaign has officially surpassed the campaign’s initial fundraising goal of $225 million. As of today funds raised total $226.4 million. A multi-million dollar donation to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics to support graduate fellowships and an endowed dean’s chair from an anonymous donor push totals above the goal.

“Thanks to the generosity of alumni, supporters and the entire campus community the Declare Campaign is transforming our university and enhancing the success of our students,” said �°������ϲ����� President Jane Close Conoley. “Gifts both large and small have led to this accomplishment, and I’m excited that The Beach community has embraced a new culture of philanthropy that will directly benefit students.”

Publicly launched in October, 2014, it is the first comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s history, Declare is built around three pillars – unequaled access, transformation and a greater community - to create a cultural shift that encourages all �°������ϲ����� students, faculty, staff and community members to proactively participate in achieving the university’s mission to provide highly-valued educational opportunities through superior teaching, research, creative activity and service through giving.

Facing fiscal constraints brought on by decades of reduced investment in public higher education, more than ever before, fundraising is a critical source of revenue for the university. Through new investments �°������ϲ����� is providing more scholarships and services, supporting additional research and creative endeavors and renovating facilities. Resources earned through fundraising and allocated to these areas have been critical to �°������ϲ����� recently reaching all-time highs in graduation and retention rates.

In addition to surpassing its overall fundraising goal, the university surpassed several other goals including receiving gifts from 53,799 new first-time donors (exceeding the goal of 50,000). Other achievements from the campaign:

• 135 endowments created
• More than 257,000 total gifts
• 603 donations that exceeded $50,000

While the university has surpassed its goal with several months left in 2015, the Declare Campaign is far from complete and the culture of philanthropy established by the campaign will continue to be integral to the university’s efforts to bolster student achievement.

“Though we have exceeded our initial campaign goal, our work at The Beach is just beginning,” added Conoley. “Declare is still ongoing and we will continue to foster and expand a culture of giving to ensure that future students have the opportunity for a high-quality �°������ϲ����� education.”