California Polytechnic State University Foundation logo

California Polytechnic State University Foundation

Public charity · Grantmaker San Luis Obispo, CA EIN: 20-4927897 Website

To provide and augment programs that are an integral part of the educational mission of the university, primarily in the acquisition, investment and administration of gifts and endowments for the benefit of the university.

Key facts about California Polytechnic State University Foundation

In short: California Polytechnic State University Foundation gave $32.4M across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $8.1M), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
20-4927897
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$32,427,301
Grants made (2025)
4
Average grant
$8,106,825
Median grant
$4,105,727
Total assets
$467,647,859
Primary geography
California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$467.6M

+7.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$32.4M

-1.4% YoY

Grant Count

4

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8.1M

-1.4% YoY

How California Polytechnic State University Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

About California Polytechnic State University Foundation

Based on IRS filings

California Polytechnic State University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in San Luis Obispo, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $467.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $32.4M. Net investment income was $12.3M.

Focus Areas

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with California Polytechnic State University Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.

States

Cities

San Luis Obispo

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10M$20M$30M$40M4 grants2020 4 grants2021 4 grants2022 4 grants2023 4 grants2024 4 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $18.9M (2021) to $32.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $32.4M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2025

California Polytechnic State University: $28.2M across 2 grantsCalifornia Polytechnic StateUniversity$28.2M · 2 grantsCal Poly Corporation: $3.8MCal Poly Corporation$3.8MAssociated Students Inc: $419KAssociated Students Inc$419K

The largest 2025 recipient was California Polytechnic State University ($28.2M across 2 grants). Together the top 3 received $32.4M.

Grant Size Distribution

20 grants across all recorded years

4<$50K$50–100K$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M10$1–5M5$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 10 grants of 20 (50%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CASupport of the University$23,796,818
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CAScholarships for Students as Determined by the University$4,418,919
Cal Poly Corporation San Luis Obispo, CAContributions to cal poly corporation in support of the university$3,792,535
Associated Students Inc San Luis Obispo, CAContributions to associated students, inc. In support of the university$419,029

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$25M$50M$75M$100M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$467,647,859$437,035,056$403,663,890
Revenue$62,571,176$74,723,223$46,982,068
Expenses$67,383,655$51,314,550$46,371,070
Net Investment Income$12,286,291$29,620,888$8,221,708

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 2, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

California Polytechnic State University Foundation is led by Jeffrey D. Armstrong, CEO & University President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 27 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Jeffrey D. Armstrong

    CEO & University President

    University President & CEO → University President, 2022

    University President → CEO & University President, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    10 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • William H. Swanson

    Chairman

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jerry Lohr

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kenric B. Stone

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Laura M. Pickering

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael J. Applegate

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paul R. Bonderson Jr.

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Philip S. Bailey Jr.

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard J. Bradshaw

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stan Van Vleck

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jim Marderosian

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Gaudineer

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Abbott

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Trapani

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Jipson

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lisa Anderson

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ryan Martinez

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cynthia Vizcaino Villa Part Year

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tammy Kiely

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Abegail Lara Part Year

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cheri De Jong

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hilary Decesare Part Year

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Weinstein

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard C. Jacobsen Part Year

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Charles L. Harrington

    Vice Chairman

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Ronca

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marc Benadiba

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    8 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (30)
  • Former: Hilary Decesare (2020–2024) — Director
  • Former: Richard C. Jacobsen (2020–2024) — Director
  • Former: Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore (2022–2024) — Director
  • Former: Lloyd Dean (2022–2024) — Director
  • Former: Zachary Smith (2022–2024) — CEO
  • Former: Abegail Lara (2023–2024) — Director
  • Former: Basia Gillespie Part Year (2024) — Director
  • Former: Cheri Dejong (2024) — Director
  • Former: John F. Salmonson Part Year (2024) — Director
  • Former: Stephen J. Barnard Part Year (2024) — Director
  • Former: Basia Gillespie (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Cynthia Vizcaino Villa (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: John F. Salmonson (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Stephen J. Barnard (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Kenny Wu Part Year (2023) — Director
  • Former: Mark Harris Part Year (2023) — Director
  • Former: Robert C. Taylor Jr Part Year (2023) — Director
  • Former: Trevor Harding Part Year (2023) — Director
  • Former: Mark Harris (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Robert C. Taylor Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Robert E. Wacker (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Dick Bradshaw (2022) — Director
  • Former: Kenny Wu (2022) — Director
  • Former: Trevor Harding (2022) — Director
  • Former: Josh Machamer (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Rob Moore (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Jon Monett (2020) — Director
  • Former: Kathleen Enz Finken (2020) — Director
  • Former: Matthew N. Ewing Part Year (2020) — CEO
  • Former: Saira Malik (2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about California Polytechnic State University Foundation

How much does California Polytechnic State University Foundation give each year?

California Polytechnic State University Foundation gave $32.4M across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $32.9M across 4 grants.

What is California Polytechnic State University Foundation's typical grant size?

California Polytechnic State University Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,105,727, and its average grant was $8,106,825, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does California Polytechnic State University Foundation give grants?

California Polytechnic State University Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Luis Obispo, CA (4 grants).

Does California Polytechnic State University Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on California Polytechnic State University Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

How large is California Polytechnic State University Foundation?

California Polytechnic State University Foundation reported $467.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $62.6M.

What is California Polytechnic State University Foundation?

California Polytechnic State University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in San Luis Obispo, CA. It holds $467.6M in total assets as of 2025.

What is California Polytechnic State University Foundation's EIN?

California Polytechnic State University Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4927897. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching California Polytechnic State University Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in California Polytechnic State University Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common

MPS Charitable Foundation

Kirkland, WA

Assets

$40.8M

Grants

9

Total Given

$422K

Mildred & Charles Wolverton Scholarship Trust

Dallas, TX

Assets

—

Grants

1

Total Given

$555K

Wrasse Leopold Edward Tuw-Main

Saint Louis, MO

Assets

$3.5M

Grants

1

Total Given

$255K

Christopher Ranch Foundation

Gilroy, CA

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Assets

$16K

Grants

2

Total Given

$401K

AGC Education and Research Foundation Inc

Arlington, VA

The AGC Education and Research Foundation supports education and champions research for the advancement of expertise in the construction industry.

Assets

$15.6M

Grants

3

Total Given

$30K

Mariucci Family Foundation

Monte Sereno, CA

The foundation will make grants to charities having proven track records of delivering services to and supporting underserved youth and their families by providing access to sports, recreational and therapeutic programs, nutrition, education and healthcare.

Assets

$1.2M

Grants

5

Total Given

$374K

Corti Theresa Tuw

Saint Louis, MO

Education

Assets

$925K

Grants

5

Total Given

$49K

Jacks Mabel W - Tuw

Saint Louis, MO

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$165K

Grants

6

Total Given

$13K

Alltricity Scholarship Foundation

Englewood, CO

The scholarship foundation utilizes electric utility industry engagement to support educational opportunities targeting quality students pursuing careers in the industry.

Assets

$253K

Grants

6

Total Given

$49K

Kruger Family Foundation Inc

Incline Village, NV

The foundation gave $47,500 across 10 grants in 2024, typically $2,500–$5,000, for general support to organizations in areas including mentoring, higher education, cancer research, animal welfare, conservation, fire services, and agriculture. Its grants went to recipients in multiple states, with California receiving the largest share. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4M

Grants

10

Total Given

$48K

International Corrugated Packaging Foundation

Itasca, IL

International Corrugated funds education and workforce-development programs that prepare students for careers in the corrugated packaging industry, including equipment, scholarships, curriculum, and student activities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $127,898, with a median of $45,000, supporting institutions and organizations in multiple U.S. states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Assets

$19.7M

Grants

11

Total Given

$536K

Spelman College

Atlanta, GA

Spelman College’s reported grants support university research costs and faculty mentoring, alongside broader institutional priorities in student access, teaching and learning, innovation, and wellness. In 2025 it made 13 grants of $5,194–$35,999, with a median of $17,648, to recipients in multiple states; the profile does not establish a broader geographic focus. It does not state whether Spelman accepts unsolicited external requests.

Assets

$1.0B

Grants

13

Total Given

$262K

More Funders in California

California Polytechnic State University Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?