Cal Football Issues $1 Million Fundraising Campaign to Kickoff Tosh Lupoi Era

A goal of $500,000 has been set for Cal fans to help set up the program for maximum success in the transfer portal era.

Credit: Cal Athletics Fund

Tosh Lupoi is hitting the ground running as he prepares for the crucial transfer portal period. A donor matching campaign has been set up to help support Cal football to bolster future transfer portal efforts. The campaign kicked off yesterday and will run through Christmas Eve, all the way through the Hawaii Bowl.

The fundraising goal of $500,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Cal football alumni. Already, over $150,000 has been raised, meaning $300,000+ is in, and 30% of the goal has already been reached.

The transfer portal will officially open up at the start of the New Year, and there will be many players Cal would like to secure. The Bears had great moments this season, but fell significantly short of expectations in multiple games. A talent infusion is definitely needed at multiple positions to ensure a return to excellence.

Here’s the full letter from Lupoi to Cal fans, with a link where to donate. Let us know in the comments if you’re able to contribute! Every donation large and small will make a difference!

Cal Family,

First and foremost, thank you for the warm welcome back home to Berkeley! As a homegrown Bay Area native, I am extremely excited and grateful for this incredible opportunity. My family and I are here to serve this great University!

As I shared during my welcome reception and press conference, we have the goal to build a dangerous football organization, one rooted in connection and unity. This is an opportunity to create something special, something we can all be proud of. But that vision can only be realized together. Coaches, staff, players, alumni, donors, and supporters, united as one.

With that said, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our Fight for California - Cal Football Matching Challenge, a pivotal initiative designed to propel Cal Football to new heights.

A group of dedicated Cal Football alumni has committed $500,000 in matching funds, with a collective goal of raising $1,000,000 in support of our program.

This moment presents a unique opportunity for Cal to not only lead the conference but to lead the country. Giving now provides Cal Football with the critical resources needed to attack the 2026 Transfer Portal. Recruiting and retaining top-tier student-athletes is essential to our long-term success, and we cannot do it without your support!

The transfer portal opens January 2nd through January 16th. This two-week window is critical. It’s when programs across the country move fast, recruiting, evaluating, and aggressively pursuing impact players. This isn’t a time to play catch-up. This is our time to capitalize. We aren’t chasing anyone, we are about to set the pace.

The matching challenge is open now and will close at kickoff of the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl on December 24 at 5:00 PM (PT).

All investments will flow through Cal Football’s Championship CALiber Fund. Resources will be allocated at the discretion of Cal Football General Manager Ron Rivera and myself and will be directed toward all recruiting efforts surrounding the 2026 Transfer Portal.

So please join me and make a gift today! The window is open. The mission is clear. Let’s attack the portal, together, and build something the nation will feel!

Go Bears!

Tosh Lupoi
Travers Family Head Football Coach
Cal Football