AVÀÇ

University leadership evaluated how the gift could best support the university’s mission and long-term strategic priorities. The process was guided by several key principles, including:

• Creating the greatest benefit for the greatest number of students
• Generating sustainable support through long-term endowment investments
• Ensuring the gift enhances – not replaces – existing funding sources
• Supporting initiatives aligned with the university’s “Future Directions” strategic plan:
  • Student Success
  • Campus Culture
  • Research and Innovation
  • Operational Excellence Financial Sustainability
  • Outreach and Engagement

This planning resulted in a balanced approach that invests most of the gift for long-term student support while also funding key initiatives that will benefit students right away.

The $50 million gift will be used to support both long-term investments and immediate student-focused initiatives.

• 82% ($41 million) will be invested in permanent endowment funds, generating ongoing annual support for AVÀÇ students and programs.
• 18% ($9 million) will support current-use projects that can begin making an impact right away.

Major investment areas include:

Endowed Student Excellence Fund: $15 million
Provides flexible annual funding for student success initiatives, targeted scholarships, student research opportunities, and campus engagement programs.

President’s Initiative Endowed Fund: $5 million
Immediate discretionary funding for unique emerging opportunities and initiatives that support the AVÀÇ community, for example start-up costs for new faculty, unique partnership opportunities, technology platform purchase and integration, outreach and marketing initiatives.

New Academic Programs Responding to Workforce Demand: $4 million
($3 million in endowment and $1 million in current-use funds)
Helps launch academic programs aligned with regional workforce needs, including faculty hiring, renovating facilities, equipment, and marketing to accelerate enrollment.

Expand Paid Student Internships: $7 million
($5 million in endowment and $2 million in current-use funds)
Expands opportunities for students to gain paid work experience on campus and with employers across the East Bay.

Establish a centrally located Student Success Hub: $6 million
Creates a centralized space on the Hayward campus where students can access tutoring, career services, affinity centers, and other support programs in one location.

Educational Foundation Grant Awards: $3 million
Funds innovative projects proposed by faculty and staff that advance AVÀÇ’s mission.

Endowed Fund for Career Success: $3 million
Provides stable, long-term funding for the newly expanded Career Empowerment Center, strengthening career preparation and supporting student success after graduation.

Endowment Matching Challenge: $7 million
Provides a 50% match for eligible endowment gifts to any area of the university. A portion of the funding will also support smaller gifts through Giving Day and other annual fund initiatives. This program is designed to amplify the long-term impact of MacKenzie Scott’s gift while encouraging alumni, friends, and partners to invest in AVÀÇ’s future.

The Endowment Match Challenge Program is designed to amplify the impact of the MacKenzie Scott gift by encouraging additional philanthropy to AVÀÇ.

Through this program, $7 million has been set aside to provide a 50% matching gift for new endowment contributions across the university.

The Educational Foundation Grant Awards will launch once the program guidelines and application process are finalized.

The program will provide annual funding opportunities for innovative projects proposed by faculty and staff across the university. Any division or unit will be able to submit proposals for initiatives that support AVÀÇ’s strategic priorities and enhance the student experience.

A committee of the Educational Foundation Board of Trustees will review proposals and select projects for funding through a transparent and inclusive process.

Additional details about the application process and timeline will be shared with the campus community once the program is finalized.

Yes. The endowment funds created through the MacKenzie Scott gift are designed to support AVÀÇ for generations to come while allowing the university to respond to changing needs over time.

The funds will be invested and managed like traditional endowments, generating annual distributions that support students, programs, and university priorities.

Because these funds are established as board-designated endowments, university and foundation leadership will be able to adjust how the funds are used in the future if new opportunities or student needs emerge.

This approach allows AVÀÇ to:

• Provide stable, long-term support through endowment earnings
• Adapt to changing educational and workforce needs over time
• Ensure the gift continues to have the greatest possible impact for students

The structure reflects the trust placed in the university’s leadership to steward the gift thoughtfully while maintaining flexibility for future generations.