The CSU continues to successfully build its endowment. The CSU endowment has more than doubled in the last seven years, growing from $224 million in 1996 to nearly half a billion dollars in 2002. Endowment market value represents both restricted and unrestricted endowed funds and long-term investments that are held both by the institution and the campus foundation.Endowed funds are held in trust and invested to produce future income for the institution. A portion of the earned income is reinvested in the endowed fund so that the endowment continues to grow over time.

In 2001/2002, new gifts to endowment amounted to $44.1 million. The strong growth of the CSU endowment, in the face of an economic downturn and a depressed stock market, is evidence of the commitment of CSU’s donors to securing the future of campus academic programs and providing for a more stable funding base as state revenues become increasingly uncertain.