Donors contributed more than $142 million in a record-breaking year for SDSU fundraising

John Fiske’s contribution to a record-breaking year of fundraising at San Diego State University shows how alumni gifts can be shaped not just by what they experienced in their time on campus, but what they felt they missed out on.

Fiske and his wife, Courtney, were among the thousands of donors who propelled SDSU to $142.2 million in fundraising for 2024-25, the year that ended June 30.

In addition, SDSU’s endowment surpassed $500 million for the first time.

"Surpassing the $500 million endowment mark for the first time is a historic milestone, solidifying the long-term, sustainable future of SDSU's academic excellence and student opportunity," said Adrienne Vargas, vice president for University Relations and Development.

The Fiskes contributed two gifts totalling $100,000. One goes toward the Fiske Legal Series, established at the College of Arts and Letters in 2021, which brings guest speakers and professional panels to SDSU to talk to students. The second expands pre-law programming to help undergraduates who are interested in legal careers learn what would be in store for them, from LSAT preparation to an advance look at the impact one can have ― and the stress and financial burdens that go along with it.

When he was working toward the B.A. in political science he earned in 2004, Fiske said, “there was no real pre-law program or financial backing to speak of, it was really just one professor who was the advisor.”

He sees the Fiske Legal Series as a means for its participants to “walk the path and learn the true nuts and bolts” as they consider their options for life after a bachelor’s degree. 

Notable increase

The $142.2 million fundraising total, which includes $30 million for the KPBS radio and television public broadcasting stations, represented a 9% increase, or about $12 million, over 2023-24. 

Gifts to SDSU are a vital source of funding, especially in the face of recent cuts at the state and federal level. They support a variety of student programs and scholarships, athletics and sports clubs, research and innovation, internships, basic needs, educational opportunity, student success resources, the University Library, military and veterans programs among many other needs, both specific and general.

“This has been a truly record-breaking year for generosity at SDSU, a powerful testament to the thousands of alumni and friends who not only believe in our vision but actively invest in it,” said Vargas.  

“Our donors' extraordinary commitment is fueling groundbreaking research, expanding access through critical scholarships, and ensuring that San Diego State University continues to empower the next generation of global leaders and innovators.”

In 2024-25, 70 new endowments were established, including 43 for new scholarships. "Establishing these new scholarships is a direct reflection of our donors' belief in SDSU's student success," Vargas said.

Fiske is a third-generation Aztec and one of 10 people in his family to have graduated from SDSU. Now a San Diego lawyer specializing in environmental matters, Fiske wanted to fill a resource gap that hindered his interest in law during his time at SDSU.

“I was a first-generation lawyer so I didn’t know any lawyers, I couldn’t speak to any lawyers and ask them what the process was like,” Fiske said. “I just figured that out on my own.”

Last year the Legal Series had an impressive “get” ― California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who spent an evening with students at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. The Series conducts other panels and networking opportunities for students to talk about their law school experiences, including the financial challenges and other burdens associated with it.

To make a gift to SDSU, please contact Associate Vice President for University Development, Mary Darling, [email protected] or 619-665-2879.