Impact Through Philanthropy

Discover more stories about SFSU donors who make a difference and the students, faculty and programs whose work and opportunities their generosity helps advance. Looking for philanthropic stories about a particular program? Use the "School/Department" filter to search by college, program or department.

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  1. Men and women smile at the Guardian Scholars luncheon

    SFSU Guardian Scholars celebrate 20 years of helping former foster youth earn degrees and build their futures

    Alumnae Kesia Williams and Jessie Peterson reflect on the friendships and support that have remained with them long after graduation

  2. Alex Milowski (center) with the inventor of the World Wide Web Tim Berners-Lee (left) and Vint Cerf (right), considered one of the founders of the Internet

    Alex Milowski (M.S. ’04) helps SFSU students stay ahead of the curve

    Alex Milowski (M.S. ’04, Mathematics) is expanding opportunity for future innovators through philanthropy that supports the study of mathematics, data science and machine learning.

  3. Attendees at the campus screening of the award-winning documentary This Is Not Financial Advice

    From financial insight to student empowerment: Overmire gift advances financial literacy at SFSU

    After seeing how many young people struggled with basic financial concepts, SFSU alumnus Charlie Overmire and his wife, Diane, established an endowed internship that helps students build financial knowledge, confidence and healthy money habits

  4. Black and white photo of Gator Football team

    Gator Gridiron Club enshrines new Hall of Fame class and supports today’s SFSU student-athletes

    At the 2026 Legends and Leadership Luncheon, SFSU football alumni and supporters celebrated the legacy of Gator Athletics while advancing scholarships and support for current student-athletes

  5. Alum and major donor Kenneth Fong

    Kenneth S. Fong: From scientific spark to lasting impact

    From founding biotech companies to endowing transformative research awards, Kenneth S. Fong (B.A., ’71; M.A., ’74), Ph.D., has advanced science, entrepreneurship, and education at SFSU — including a pivotal gift to the new Science & Engineering Innovation Center.

  6. Students in an SFSU classroom with posters on the background wall

    Investing in the Future: The transformative role of scholarship donors in Marci Lapriore’s journey

    Marci encourages donors to believe in their “exponential impact,” reminding them that what they give today multiplies in ways they may never see

  7. Alum Megan Rogers

    The Power of Support: Megan Rogers’ story of resilience

    Megan credits SFSU and its donors for helping her emerge as a confident, capable leader, noting that SFSU is ‘through the charts’ for rate of return

  8. Alum and donor Vanson Nguyen

    Vanson Nguyen uplifts communities by supporting future educators

    Through their scholarship gift, Vanson Nguyen and his wife, Cheryl Quan, are helping future educators serve underserved communities and expand opportunity for generations of students.

  9. Group of 3 students having a discussion

    Linda and Frank Kurtz: Turning Conflict Into Understanding

    Inspired by their family histories, Linda’s SFSU experience and a deep commitment to giving back, the Kurtzes have supported scholarships and conflict management workshops that help students build skills in listening, facilitation and engaging across difference.

  10. Doug Galen, Chris Larsen, Quang Lam, Lyna Lam, President Lynn Mahoney

    Chris Larsen, Lyna Lam and Rippleworks Foundation: Fueling Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity

    A Transformative $25 Million Gift From Chris Larsen, Lyna Lam, and the Rippleworks Foundation