Costco Co-Founder Makes $2.5M Donation to SDSU

Costco's co-founder made a $2.5 million donation to San Diego State University's scholarship fund, it was announced Monday.

Jim Sinegal and his wife, Janet, both SDSU alumni, have asked that their donation be used to help support students leaving the foster care system, to provide scholarships to students who want to become teachers and to support student veterans.

Janet said their donation falls in line with their beliefs.

"We believe in the power of education and what better way to support the university than to provide educational opportunities for the students directly,'' said Janet, a philanthropist whose work has focused on the education field.

SDSU President Stephen Weber praised the couple for their support.

"Jim and Janet have demonstrated time and again their commitment to SDSU and to students from underserved populations,'' Weber said. "The Sinegals are an excellent example of people who recognize their own good fortune and understand the importance of giving back.''

The Sinegals have donated to the university in the past and created the Jim and Janet Scholarship in 2003 to support students earning their teaching credentials. They also created the Janet Sinegal Scholarship Endowment in 2009 and co-chaired the university's comprehensive fundraising campaign, said Gina Jacobs, SDSU's media relations manager.

City News Service contributed to this report.