Cal Poly students facing financial hardships will soon have access to greater support, thanks to a generous challenge gift as part of Poly Gives, taking place April 10-12, 2025. An anonymous parent has pledged $50,000 to launch the first-ever Cal Poly Cares endowment. If donors collectively contribute $25,000, the pledge will be unlocked—tripling the total impact to $75,000 and creating a sustainable source of aid for students in crisis. 

Cal Poly Cares provides emergency financial assistance to students navigating unexpected hardships, including the loss of a parent, natural disasters, homelessness, and food insecurity. As more students turn to the program for help, the new endowment will offer stable, long-term funding to ensure those in need can remain in school. 

Christine Mott Hutchinson, Cal Poly’s Senior Director of Development for Strategic Initiatives, emphasized the significance of the initiative. “We are incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor for not only creating this endowment but also inspiring others to contribute,” she said. “This will serve as a lasting safety net, helping generations of Mustangs overcome financial challenges and achieve their academic goals.” 

Over the past year, donor contributions have allowed Cal Poly Cares to distribute nearly $500,000 in grants to 453 students. Without this support, many recipients would have faced the difficult choice between staying in school or covering their essential living expenses. 

Nick Bilich (English, ‘08), Director of the CARE Team within the Dean of Students Office, said the endowment is a crucial step toward ensuring financial stability for students. 

“Cal Poly Cares has always relied on donor funding, but an endowment provides something we’ve long hoped for—consistent, long-term support,” he said. “A gift to this fund will continue to change lives for years to come, and that’s something truly powerful.” 

For students who have benefited from Cal Poly Cares, the impact has been profound. One student who received aid in 2024 reflected, “I want to thank the donors who make this support possible. You’ve been instrumental in helping me reach my academic goals. After one of the hardest years of my life, I’m just weeks away from graduating, and I hope one day I can pay it forward to help others in need.” 

This year’s Poly Gives campaign aims to build a permanent safety net so that financial setbacks don’t prevent students from completing their education.