Faculty and Staff Campaign Aims to Benefit Students

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Dana Martin was one of the staff members who participated in the inaugural Faculty and Staff Campaign in 2013.
Dana Martin was one of the staff members who participated in the inaugural Faculty and Staff Campaign in 2013. November 15, 2013.

Fresh off the record-setting Campaign for Cal Poly Pomona, a new faculty and staff drive strives to capitalize on the fundraising momentum and enhance educational opportunities for students.

Last year, the inaugural Faculty and Staff Campaign sought out faculty, emeriti, and retired and current staff members, and raised more than $700,000. This year’s campaign started Monday, Nov. 24, and seeks 100 percent participation from faculty and staff after yielding 28 percent involvement in the initial drive.

“People are very proud when they say, ‘I went to Cal Poly Pomona.’ That’s something you can’t buy. That’s something that just exudes,” said President Michael Ortiz. “Contributions are an endorsement of this university.”

Contributions can go toward a specific college, department, scholarship or fund.

In addition, contributions can be made as unrestricted gifts, which also are known as giving to the area of greatest need. These gifts are among the most valuable because they allow the most flexibility in allocating funding to specific areas.

Restricted gifts allow donors to designate contributions to a specific college, division, department or program. When making a restricted gift, a Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc. or ASI account must already exist for that area.

To honor their longstanding commitment to the university, the Michael and Betty Ortiz Legacy Endowment has been established. Contributions will support scholarships, co-curricular enrichment and cutting-edge research.

Another contribution method is a payroll deduction that allows gifts to be made over a 12-month period. Monthly deductions accumulate and can turn into a significant gift. The minimum amount mandated by the state is $2 per month.

Donors also can make a gift annually or several times a year by check (made payable to the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc.), cash, credit card or online at givetocalpolypomona.org. Because of the expenses of processing a gift, a minimum outright contribution  of $10 is requested. A recurring gift can be set up through the website.

Contributions to the Faculty and Staff Campaign will be accepted through mid-January. For questions about the campaign, call Dolores Ybarra, director of the Annual Fund, at (909) 869-4970 or visit the Annual Fund page.