The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians from San Marcos, California, this week announced an endowment gift of $3 million to the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at California State University San Marcos.
San Manuel has supported CSUSM since it opened in 2011, contributing nearly $1 million to the California Indian and Cultural Center. CICSC has become a home for American Indian students and their higher education pursuits.
The CICSC supports research, publications and events that empower Native voices and inform public policy.
“This transformative gift from San Manuel, combined with the exceptional work of our American Indian Studies Department and the CICSC, positions CSUSM to better serve Native American students,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said in a statement. “We’re committed to building a comprehensive program that promotes both academic rigor and cultural empowerment. Together with our tribal partners, we aim to set new standards for Native American student achievement in higher education.”
The funding enables the CICSC to expand cultural preservation programs, support student success, foster community engagement and support operational excellence.
“This endowment represents more than funding — it’s an investment in the preservation and advancement of Indigenous knowledge, leadership and sovereignty,” said CISCSC Director Dr. Joely Proudfit. “With these resources, we can amplify Native voices, deepen our research initiatives and create even more powerful opportunities for our students to engage with Tribal nations while pursuing academic excellence.”
San Manuel’s investment will empower Native American students to become leaders, scholars and researchers shaping the future of California tribal communities.
“The CICSC helps to enhance the educational experience of students within the CICSC community,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “Through advocacy, research, leadership and systemic change, the CICSC fosters an environment where Native culture, tribal sovereignty, and progress can flourish.”
San Manuel’s $3 million gift was accompanied by a $1 million match contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation.
