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.
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.
— 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.
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.
The support that we receive from Cal Poly Partners is integral to the work that we do and directly impacts the students that we serve. We offer incredible Learn by Doing opportunities and send students into the industry with years of experience under them, and that is all possible thanks to Cal Poly Partners.
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.
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.
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.
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.
News
Cal Poly Partners Plaza to open for football season, featuring enhanced fan experience, new dining areas and VIP terrace
The Cal Poly Partners Plaza, a 14,200-square-foot addition north of Spanos Stadium, will open for Cal Poly’s first home football game of the season against the Western Oregon Wolves on Sept. 14, Aaron Lambert, Communications Specialist for Cal Poly Partners, said. ...
Let’s party! Central Coast stadium adds plaza giving fans a tailgate experience while watching games
A Central Coast sports stadium is getting a new, nearly five million dollar addition which combines the experience of a tailgate party with actually being able to watch a game. The Cal Poly Partner Plaza has been added to the university’s Alex Spanos Stadium. The...
Cal Poly opens Partners Plaza for fall sports
Cal Poly is opening its new plaza for its athletics teams for the fall semester. Cal Poly Partners Plaza, the new 14,200-square-foot tiered hospitality area in the north end zone of Alex G. Spanos Stadium, is on schedule to open for the fall soccer and football...
NOAA is opening a new office at Cal Poly
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is coming to San Luis Obispo. The agency will be opening up an office on the Cal Poly campus. At Port San Luis, Kaila Fritch, a second-year master's student at Cal Poly is working on her four-year research...