During fiscal year 2024-25, Fresno State alumni, friends and community partners gave a record 13 gifts of $1 million or more to the university. Their generosity helped push Fresno State’s fundraising total to its second-highest amount ever – $38.85 million – surpassing fiscal year 2023-24 which was previously the second-best year in the university’s history.
The year included the university’s strongest Day of Giving ever, raising $611,174 in just 24 hours on March 26 from thousands of philanthropic partners.
From theatre to nursing, plant pathology and athletics, philanthropic partners invested $28.1 million in academics and $10.6 million in athletics, fueling a trajectory that continues to shape the university’s future.
“Philanthropy at Fresno State reflects the profound trust and pride our community holds in the transformative power of education. This past year, our philanthropic partners showed historic generosity, opening doors of opportunity, advancing discovery and enriching the lives of our students. With this momentum, we step into this year positioned to continue shaping a future where access, innovation and excellence define our contributions to the Valley and beyond.”
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval
Noteworthy gifts from 2024-25:
- $4.8 million from the late Dr. Janet Loring, a former faculty member and creator of Fresno State’s Theatre for Young Audiences. The gift will establish the Dr. Janet Loring Chair in Theatre for Youth endowment and support the Theatre for Young Audiences program and other educational theatre programs in perpetuity. This was the largest gift received by Fresno State in 2024-25.
- $1 million pledge from the Leon S. Peters Foundation to support the Nursing Resource Center in the College of Health and Human Services with new equipment and technology. This commitment adds to the transformational support Leon S. Peters and the foundation continue to provide to Fresno State.
- $1 million gift from alumna Jami Hamel De La Cerda and the Diamond Learning Center to Fresno State athletics to support football operational needs, ensuring the development, retention and recruitment of football student-athletes.
- $1 million pledge from the James G. Boswell Foundation to establish the Ag One J.G. Boswell Endowed Fund to support research in the J.G. Boswell Plant Pathology Laboratory focused on diseases impacting the cotton industry and other critical areas.
“This was a defining year for Fresno State philanthropy. Building on the successes of the previous year, our philanthropic partners stepped forward in unprecedented ways, positioning us to begin the current year with the strongest foundation in our history,” said Brady M. Crook. vice president for University Advancement at Fresno State. “Their vision and belief in Fresno State is driving momentum that will carry us forward as we elevate connection and expand impact. Together, these milestones reflect the growing pride and confidence in Fresno State’s mission. The coming year is when aspiration becomes action, and when extraordinary commitments transform into lasting change for our students, faculty and community.”
Looking ahead
As Fresno State enters the new fiscal year, the university will harness this momentum to deepen connections with alumni, friends and philanthropic partners, Crook said. University Advancement recently introduced Victoria, an AI-powered virtual engagement officer, to connect with communities through personalized email and text.Victoria is a first-of-its-kind innovation at Fresno State. It is powered by Givzey’s Version2.ai. She will enable the university to expand engagement via meaningful, timely and consistent conversations, building on the momentum generated by Fresno State’s philanthropic partners.
