Shaping
Tomorrow,
Together

As the university’s nonprofit auxiliary, Cal Poly Partners’ purpose is crystal clear: to propel Cal Poly forward.

Cal Poly Partners is a mission-driven organization built on the belief of positive doing to elevate education, empower individuals and enhance the university experience.

Through our flexible approach and an unyielding spirit, we break boundaries to provide essential university resources and services. Our unwavering commitment to these principles is what sets us apart.

At Cal Poly Partners, we don’t just provide services; we forge partnerships that shape the future. Join us in building a brighter tomorrow for Cal Poly and its community. Together, we can accomplish more than we ever imagined.

News

Students making chocolate

Serving as a Nonprofit

Cal Poly Partners is a nonprofit, self-supporting entity. Unlike the university, we receive no state funding. Every dollar generated by our activities goes back to Cal Poly, providing vital resources to the campus community.

Mission, Vision and Values

PARTNERS IN MUSTANG SUCCESS 

Enhancing Campus Life

We take immense pride in our role as a vital contributor to campus life. From delicious dining options to affordable textbooks, cutting-edge technology to academic supplies, spirited gear to faculty and staff housing, Cal Poly Partners is here to enhance the Cal Poly experience. We’re more than just a service provider; we’re an integral part of the fabric that makes Cal Poly thrive.

Commercial Services

A portion of Cal Poly campus

Advancing Learn by Doing

We are an active supporter of Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy. Cal Poly Partners provides fiscal and administrative services to commercial units that involve student staffing and learning. From Swanton Pacific Ranch to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University Graphic Systems, and various agricultural enterprise operations, we facilitate hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for the real world.

Partnering in Mustang Success

Cal Poly Partners is an invaluable partner in ensuring our commercial agricultural operations enable students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields of study.

Andrew ThulinDean, Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Cal Poly Partners touches the lives of students in so many ways — including discounted books at the Mustang Shop, coffee from a local roaster, and the opportunity to research phytoplankton on the Cal Poly pier. Their partnership with the university is central to the Cal Poly experience and to making Learn by Doing a reality.

Jeffrey D. ArmstrongPresident, Cal Poly

Developing Attainable Housing

Working alongside the university, we are actively striving to meet the housing needs of Cal Poly faculty and staff. Cal Poly Partners is currently developing new neighborhoods on and near campus that will offer for sale and rental housing. This new housing will complement our established Bella Montana faculty and staff community.

Real Estate Development and Services

A house
A student smiling

Empowering Through Employment

Beyond our core services, we are also one of the largest employers in San Luis Obispo County. In the 2022-23 academic year, we employed over 3,100 students. As a Cal Poly Partners employee, students not only earn a paycheck but also gain invaluable life and career skills, positioning them for success beyond graduation.

Work With Us

Alleviating Food Insecurity

We partner closely with the university’s basic needs program to help alleviate food insecurity on campus. In the 2023-24 academic year, we aim to provide 50,000 meals to students in need. That’s a 4x increase over last year. This donation is in addition to our annual contribution to Cal Poly Athletics, ensuring that student-athletes have access to free or reduced meals.

Donate Now

Students standing with collected oranges

News

Following your roots, faith and a special diet in college

Following your roots, faith and a special diet in college

Growing up as a Jain, I never ate these root vegetables or had second thoughts about my faith and this practice. At home, my mom prepared authentic Jain Gujarati meals with rotli (flatbread), daal (lentil soup), bhaat (rice) and shaak (vegetable curry). We found...

Starship robots deliver food to Cal Poly students, staff 

Starship robots deliver food to Cal Poly students, staff 

Cal Poly is reintroducing on-campus food delivery with nearly 40 wheeled robots designed to deliver food, drinks, and snacks to students, faculty, and staff. The delivery service is launching this academic year, courtesy of a partnership between Cal Poly Campus...