The Tamkin Foundation, Inc., a non-profit California corporation, and the California State University, Northridge, have established the William J. Tamkin Endowments for the Department of Economics.
The Endowments provide scholarships to students enrolled at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at CSUN. Additionally, the Endowments provide support funding for faculty engaged in research within the Department of Economics.
The Endowment honors Tamkin Foundation Program Director William J. Tamkin, who excelled in his studies at the CSUN College of Business and Economics, where he graduated with honors with a degree in Economics and a minor in Finance in 2023.
Details from the Endowment Gift Agreement:
About the Donor
The Tamkin Foundation, Inc., a California nonprofit established in 1969 by Ukrainian immigrant and Los Angeles businessman William W. Tamkin (1901–1973), has remained a family-led philanthropic organization for more than five decades. Guided by successive generations of the Tamkin family, the Foundation is committed to improving quality of life by alleviating human suffering, fostering opportunity, and promoting education, creativity, and community.
The Foundation supports a broad range of causes, with particular emphasis on medical and scientific education and research, Jewish education and outreach, and artistic development and expression. Through its grantmaking, the Tamkin Foundation has contributed to more than 100 charitable initiatives spanning health, education, culture, and humanitarian relief. The Foundation’s leadership includes Steven M. Tamkin (President), Douglas W. Tamkin (Chief Financial Officer), and William J. Tamkin (Program Director), continuing the family’s enduring commitment to philanthropy and service.
About the Honoree
Originally from Malibu, California, William J. Tamkin attended Malibu High School before enrolling at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Inspired by his father, a United Airlines captain, he developed a passion for aviation at an early age. William began his studies at CSUN as an Economics major and a member of the university’s baseball team. After a brief time with the team, he chose to focus fully on his academic pursuits and future in aviation, graduating with a B.S. in Economics in 2023.
Following his passion and his father’s example, William is now pursuing a career as a commercial airline pilot. During his time at CSUN, he was deeply influenced by the dedication and support of his classmates, professors, and university staff. The Department of Economics in the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics stood out as a community of driven students and faculty committed to excellence. William remains grateful for the department’s impact on his personal and professional development and is proud to now be in a position to support the Department of Economics’ faculty and students.
Purpose and Use of Gift Proceeds
The annual distributions from each endowment will be utilized as follows:
William J. Tamkin Outstanding Student in Economics – Provide an annual award to the top graduating student in the Department of Economics. Recipients will be selected by the Chair of the Department of Economics in consultation with the Department’s faculty and in coordination with the Dean of the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics. Award will be announced and conferred in Spring contemporaneous with their graduation.
William J. Tamkin Scholarship Endowment – provide scholarships to students enrolled in the Department of Economics. Awards and the amounts will be determined by a committee to be established and coordinated by the Chair of the Department of Economics. Additional criteria to be utilized by the University in determining the recipients include financial need and Scholastic Achievement (minimum of 2.8 GPA). The Committee will review the applications and make their recommendations to the Chair of the Department of Economics and the Dean of the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.
The recipients of the scholarships will be selected during the spring semester and utilized in the subsequent academic year.
To enable students to plan for their future financial needs, the scholarship will be renewable for up to a total of two years if the student continues to meet the selection criteria.
William J. Tamkin Endowment for Faculty Research in Economics – The recipients of the funds will be determined by the Chair of the Department of Economics in coordination with the Dean of the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics. Funds may be used to support research-related travel, operating expenditures, and additional personnel such as research assistants.
California State University Northridge
David Nazarian College of Business and Economics