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’s 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.
The event has raised nearly $3.5 million over the past six years. Last year’s effort was particularly successful, said Courtney Schultz, CSUF’s interim director of Annual Giving & Stewardship. “The goal in 2025 was $720,000, from 2,900 donors. However, we completely blew that out of the water,” Schultz said, noting that the event raised $942,996, from 3,909 donors.
This year’s goal is $1 million. “We definitely think it’s achievable,” Schultz said. “One 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.”
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. “All of these groups, especially the clubs, really love to fundraise for this day, because it helps with all the work they do,” Schlutz said. “So they’re able to go to conferences, bring in guest speakers and provide supplies to students who are participating in community projects.”
For example, thanks to Titans Give, students from the College of Communications were able to travel to Paris to cover the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The fundraiser is limited to one day for a good reason. “It’s structured as a 24-hour event because the limited timeframe creates a sense of urgency and focus, which are really key drivers to participation,” Schultz said. “A 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.”
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’s Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, among many others.
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’s Fullerton Bar & Grill will host a Titans Give Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. “This event lets us celebrate the impact of our donations,” Schultz said. “Attendees can enjoy great food, and we’ll have some exciting prizes.”
and stewardship at Cal State Fullerton (Photo courtesy of Cal State Fullerton)
Donors have the flexibility to support their chosen college department, program, scholarship or student organization. They can also split their gift across different areas. “Donors can give in a way that’s most meaningful to them,” Schultz said. “And if they don’t see a specific fund listed, they can write in the university area they want to support.”
Those who don’t have a particular university resource earmarked are encouraged to give to four resources deemed as “greatest needs” by the university: the Titan Fund, Titan Scholarship Fund, the President’s Strategic Fund and Basic Needs Services. “These are our most important areas,” Schultz said, emphasizing the importance of Basic Needs Services, as well as the Associated Students Inc. Food Pantry. “Being able to provide help to students when they need it most is really crucial.”
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. “If somebody says they’re going to give $25, we’ll also give $25,” Schultz said.
Titans Give “challenges,” Schultz noted, are tied to specific donor goals. “Once 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.”
Schultz anticipates a great outcome this year. “Together, we can make that $1 million goal,” she said. “We’re excited to see what happens.”
Those interested in helping CSUF can visit titansgive.fullerton.edu.