Giving Day FAQ

• What is CSUSM Giving Day?

  CSUSM Giving Day is your day to support what you love about the University for 24 hours on December 1  from 12:00a.m. to 11:59p.m. Held on global Giving Tuesday, CSUSM Giving Day is for everyone who loves CSUSM to join together in support of the University and maximize their impact through a matching gift.

• Why should I give to Cal State San Marcos?
  Every gift impacts our students as they strive toward their goal of a CSUSM degree. The more support that we receive from alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends, the more students we can impact and lives we can change. Your gift is in investment in a student's future.
• How will my gift be used?

  This will depend on the fund you support. Use the CSUSM Giving Day website to learn more about some of the funds and departments you can support. All gifts that do not have a specific fund designation, will be deposited into the Annual Fund, which goes directly where the money is needed most at the University.

• I can't find my favorite cause, can I still give to it?

  Yes. If you can't find your fund on any campaign hub, head over to the main giving day website, select the "make a gift" button and type in the fund of your choice using the search tool. Still can't find your fund? Contact Alex Perkins at aperkins@csusm.edu.

• What can I do to spread the word about CSUSM Giving Day?
  After you give, use the social media share buttons on the confirmation page to share that you made a gift! In addition, you can spread the word using videos, photos, gifs and charts that will be available to share on your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
• Can I give to more than one area?
  Yes!  To show your support for more than one area, visit the CSUSM Giving Day website and complete the giving form for each fund you would like to give to.
• I'm a student. What can I do on CSUSM Giving Day?
  • Give what you can to the area you are passionate about! You can designate a gift of any amount to any funding area at the university.
  • Share the message! Together, we can make a HUGE impact for CSUSM. Tell your friends, family and followers what you love about Cal State San Marcos using #HeartofaCougar or #CSUSMGivingDay
  • Become an Ambassador and reach out to your personal networks. Register here by selecting “Tell someone about this campaign".
• What are the goals for CSUSM Giving Day?
  Our goal is to raise more than last year!  The more we raise, the more students will benefit from your generosity.  We would also love to see at least 500 first-time donors so we can foster a growing community of people who love Cal State San Marcos.
• Is there a minimum donation amount?
  CSUSM’s minimum gift amount is $5.
• Can I give via check on CSUSM Giving Day?

  Yes, you can give via check payable to CSUSM Foundation on CSUSM Giving Day.

  There will be someone from Advancement Services ready to accept checks dropped off in the Administration Building Room 5111 from 8:00am-5:00pm on Tuesday, December 1

  Gifts received during a challenge hour or power hour may not be counted in that timeframe because processing checks is a manual process.

  Gifts by mail:

  All checks must be received by December 1 indicating the Giving Day fund it is intended to support.

  CSUSM 501c3 tax ID: 80-0390564

  Make checks payable to: CSUSM Foundation

  Remit to: California State University San Marcos
  ATTN: University Advancement
  333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
  San Marcos, CA  92096-0001
  
  Please include a letter or detailed note containing any special instructions or the designation so we may promptly and appropriately allocate, credit and recognize your gift. For more information, please visit our ways to give page : How to Give | Giving to CSUSM | CSUSM

• Can I donate from an IRA or with stock?

  Gifts from IRAs

  Yes! We welcome gifts of IRA distributions and stock for Giving Day. Both are wonderful ways to support students and receive extra tax benefits.

  IRA Distributions: If you are age 70½ or older, you can direct your IRA custodian to make a distribution check payable to the “CSUSM Foundation” (federal tax ID number 80-0390564). Checks should be mailed to our address below. Please include your contact information and instructions on where to direct your gift.

  Stock: To receive our stock transfer instructions, please contact P. Vien Walker, Director of Planned Giving, at (760) 750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu.

   For all other questions about IRA, stock, and other non-cash gifts, please contact P. Vien Walker, Director of Planned Giving, at (760) 750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu.

• Is my contribution deductible?
  Yes! As a registered 501(c)3, you may be able to claim a charitable deduction for your gift to the CSUSM Foundation.
• Who can I contact with my questions about CSUSM Giving Day?
  Contact Sean Briner in the Office of Annual Giving at sbriner@csusm.edu.
• Giving Day Challenges

  Advance Gifts to Support Challenges 
  
  Alumni Benchmark Challenge
  This challenge is unlocked when we receive the benchmark 200th alumni donor gift. One lucky participating alum will be randomly selected, and their fund will be awarded $1,000. 

   Alumni Happy Hour Challenge 
  It’s happy hour! A random alumni donor who gives between 4:00-5:00p.m. receives $1,000 to the fund of their choice. 

   Alumni Social Media Challenge 
  Follow @csusmalumni on Instagram. Tag a friend and comment the fund you would like to see win this challenge on @csusmalumni’s social challenge Instagram post on Giving Day. One fund will be randomly selected to receive $1,000. 

   Alumni Throwback Challenge 
  Follow @csusmalumni on Instagram. Share a throwback photo of you from your time as a student at CSUSM on your Instagram story on Giving Day and tag @csusmalumni.  A randomly selected story from an alum on a publicly viewable account receives $1,000 to the fund of their choice.  

   Parent Trailblazer Challenge 
  A parent donor who makes a gift between 7:00-8:00pm will be randomly selected and their fund will receive $1,000. 

   Leading Fund 
  The fund that leads all others in the most unique donors receives $1,000. 

   Repeat Donor Challenge 
  A randomly selected donor who also gave during Giving Day 2024 receives $1,000 to the selected fund this year.  

   Social Media Challenge 
  Participate on our social media Giving Day challenge for a chance to have $1,000 allocated to the fund of your choice. No gift is needed to participate! Here are the rules: 

  1. Follow @csusm on Instagram. 

   2. Like this post.

   3. Tag a friend in the comments and mention the fund you would like the $1,000 to support. 

  Share this post on your story with the hashtag #csusmgivingday for an extra entry. A random comment will be chosen at 3:00pm today. 

   Spread the Love Challenge 
  A donor who spread the love by supporting more than one fund in a single transaction will be randomly selected, and one of their funding areas will receive $1,000. 

   Student U-Hour Challenge 
  The fund with the most unique student donors who gave between 12pm-1pm receives $1,000. 

  Ambassador Challenge #1 
  The Ambassador who finishes #1 in dollars raised using the Ambassador platform will receive $1,500 to the fund of their choice. 

   Ambassador Challenge #2 
  The Ambassador who finishes #1 in the most gifts acquired using the Ambassador platform will receive $1,500 to the fund of their choice. 

   Ambassador Challenge #3
  The Ambassador who finishes #2 in the most gifts acquired using the Ambassador platform will receive $1,000 to the fund of their choice.
  
  Ambassador Challenge #4
  The Ambassador who acquires at least 5 gifts using the Ambassador platform will be randomly selected and receive $1,000 to the fund of their choice. Ambassadors who finish #1 or #2 in most gifts not eligible.