# Cal Poly Foundation

Cal Poly Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in San Luis Obispo, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** San Luis Obispo, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** One Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2006
- **Assets under management:** $300M
- **Website:** foundation.calpoly.edu
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/cal-poly-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The Cal Poly Foundation was incorporated in March 2006 as a tax-exempt auxiliary organization. William H. Swanson serves as chairman alongside board members including Paul R. Bonderson, Jr. and Stan Van Vleck. Its mandate centers on generating private support for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The foundation holds a diversified portfolio that includes private equity exposure, direct real estate, and public bond funds. Confirmed holdings include positions in Mazen Animal Health. Geographic focus remains California, with additional real assets such as Swanton Pacific Ranch in Santa Cruz County and Bartleson Ranch in San Luis Obispo County. A spending rule targets approximately 4 percent of the trailing twelve-quarter average market value for annual distributions. The foundation reports 369 million USD in assets under management. It maintains relationships with service providers including Glenn Burdette as auditor, Wells Fargo Bank as custodian, and TIAA as investment advisor. No additional offices are disclosed. Recent board activity centers on governance of university-related real estate through the affiliated Cal Poly Partners entity. The foundation's structure ties investment decisions directly to university governance rather than independent family principals. Board composition draws from alumni and industry figures with long-standing ties to Cal Poly, creating a closed loop between endowment oversight and institutional priorities.

## Sectors

- Education

## People

- William H. Swanson — Chairman of the Board
- Paul R. Bonderson, Jr. — Board member
- Stan Van Vleck — Governance Chair

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Cal Poly Foundation?

William H. Swanson serves as chairman of the board. Additional board members include Paul R. Bonderson, Jr. and Stan Van Vleck. The board oversees endowment management and gift deployment.

### Does Cal Poly Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation holds both public mutual fund positions and direct private holdings. Examples include stakes in PIMCO funds and early-stage companies through Cal Poly Ventures.

### What asset classes does Cal Poly Foundation allocate to?

Allocations include private equity, real estate, and fixed income. Direct holdings encompass agricultural land, faculty housing projects, and art collections.

### Where does the underlying support for Cal Poly Foundation come from?

Support originates from private donors to California Polytechnic State University. Notable gifts include contributions from the William and Linda Frost family and the Robert N. Noyce Trust.

### How is Cal Poly Foundation related to Cal Poly Partners?

Cal Poly Partners serves as the operational auxiliary that manages certain real estate and commercial assets on behalf of the foundation and university.

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Last updated: 2026-07-08T21:10:39.063Z

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