CSUSM receives two gifts totaling $20 million, largest in 35-year history




In a historic moment, Cal State San Marcos recently announced two philanthropic donations totaling $20 million – the largest gifts in its 35-year history.

A grant of $10 million from Price Philanthropies Foundation will create a first-of-itskind, three-year accelerated bachelor’s degree and workforce pipeline for behavioral and mental health. As part of this milestone, visionary philanthropist Daniel J. Epstein – a director of the CSUSM Foundation Board – and his wife, Phyllis, have committed to an additional gift of $10 million. Their contribution, which makes them the largest donors to CSUSM, will serve as a unique dollar-for-dollar matching gift opportunity for all CSUSM donors to double their impact across campus.



“Phyllis and I are incredibly impressed by CSUSM and President Ellen Neufeldt’s strong commitment to bridge the opportunity gap and create a more equitable and inclusive San Diego,” Daniel Epstein said.

“As a regionally focused university with a highly diverse student population, CSUSM is one of the most transformative institutions in the Southern California region, impacting lives and entire communities. We are proud to pledge our support and we hope community members will join us.” The matching gift from the Epsteins will create a ripple effect, reaching into the core of CSUSM’s mission of student success and fortifying an era of innovation to advance social mobility. Investments stemming from this gift will have a direct and positive impact on funding to support the people, places and programs of CSUSM’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.

This opportunity presents a landmark moment for donors to double their impact, providing meaningful and transformational investments at CSUSM now and for future generations. “We are eternally grateful for the extraordinary investments in our students and community made possible by Dan and Phyllis Epstein and the Price Philanthropies Foundation,” Neufeldt said.

“With CSUSM being a national leader in social mobility, the one-to-one matching philanthropic gift will catapult our campaign efforts to support critical student success initiatives. Having their confidence in CSUSM has already inspired generous supporters in our community. I am proud to partner with Price Philanthropies on such a powerful new workforce-connected accelerated bachelor’s degree program, bringing a first-of-itskind model into the state of California to address surging behavioral and mental health employment demands.”

Through the partnership with Price Philanthropies — which is committed to transforming the lives of youth and families — this multiyear program grant invests in the most urgent workforce needs in the behavioral and mental health industry. Amid an environment where the need for mental health and wellness services for children and families has increased exponentially, San Diego Workforce Partnership reports that San Diego County will require more than 18,000 new qualified mental health professionals by 2027.

The funding will help embed dual enrollment, professional certificates and enhanced career preparation in a three-year degree pathway. This approach expedites the placement of qualified people into critical roles with an escalated earning potential, a perfect example of social mobility in action. “We are extremely grateful to President Neufeldt and her team for their partnership in creating an accelerated pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years rather than the traditional four or more years,” Robert and Allison Price said.

“This innovative and potentially revolutionary approach to higher education offers the potential for students to complete their undergraduate work in less time and be better prepared to enter the workforce. We believe that the three-year bachelor’s degree program can become a model that can be replicated not only in the field of health care but also in many other occupational disciplines.”