Temple raised $214 million in gifts this past fiscal year, its highest total ever. In the last two years, the university has raised approximately $340 million.

Temple University raised $214 million in gifts in fiscal year 2026, its highest ever total during a single year. This well exceeds the previous annual record of $133 million, which was set last year. 

Over the previous decade, from 2014 to 2024, Temple averaged just over $95 million in annual giving per year. In the last two years, the university has had a strong start to its forthcoming comprehensive campaign, raising approximately $340 million.  

The majority of the gifts received during this year, including the two largest gifts—a $55 million gift from University Trustee Christopher Barnett, CLA ’10, to rename the College of Public Health as Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health and a historic gift from Jane Creamer Sullivan, KLN ’70, to establish the Jane Creamer Sullivan and Thomas J. Sullivan Honors College—share a common distinction. 

At their core, generous gifts like these are focused on the success of our students. That is the kind of impact that philanthropy can have, and at Temple, that impact has never been greater than it was during this past fiscal year.  

“Forward with Purpose is an ambitious strategic plan, and its keystone priority is student success,” said Temple President John Fry. “Philanthropy plays a very important role in the implementation of the plan as it provides critical resources for the university. Simply put, we will not be able to accomplish our student success goals unless we continue to improve our efforts from a philanthropic standpoint. 

“That is why I am so proud of everything that we accomplished during this past year,” Fry continued. “Time and time again, donors have stepped up and shown that they believe in Temple University, its mission and its ability to transform lives. I am deeply grateful to all who have supported this institution during this past year as their generosity is directly expanding access to education through scholarships, advancing groundbreaking research, strengthening our campuses and communities, and creating opportunities that will benefit current and future generations of Owls.” 

Temple’s historic fundraising year reflects the strong confidence that alumni and donors have in the university and its future. This year’s success sets a new standard in philanthropy at Temple, as it demonstrates how the university has elevated the importance of institutional giving. 

The philanthropic momentum also aligns with institutional momentum.  

In January 2026, Temple unveiled the aforementioned strategic plan, Forward with Purpose. Included as part of that plan is a campus development plan, Building Connections, which envisions the future physical environment to support the strategic plan. 

During this fiscal year, Temple’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine and AtlantiCare also formalized an agreement to establish a new regional campus in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the university held a beam topping ceremony for the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication. 

“That is probably what is most exciting about this year’s record year of fundraising,” said Albert Checcio, senior vice president for institutional advancement. "It comes at a time when this university has so much dynamic energy. Under President Fry’s leadership and guided by the strategic plan, Temple is making bold investments in Student Success, Research in Action and Place-based Impact. 

“To have fundraising success like this, advancement must become a universitywide priority, and that is what we have started to do here at Temple,” Checcio added. “I’m so grateful for the involvement of university leaders, our academic deans and healthcare leaders in embracing our new approach and becoming active participants in this process.” 

The largest gift received during this fiscal year was the $55 million commitment from Barnett. It is the largest in Temple’s history and the fourth largest that has ever been given to support a United States college or school of public health. 

Thanks to the historic gift from Sullivan, Temple will soon have an honors college, which will build on the strengths of existing Honors Program and expand the resources and opportunities available to highly motivated students. The Sullivan Honors College will officially begin operations and welcome its first students for the fall 2027 semester.

Overall, those two commitments were among the 38 donors who made gifts of $1 million or more to Temple during the year. This represents the highest number of million-dollar donors in a single fiscal year in the university’s history. 

Another significant gift received during the year was a $5 million commitment from Richard Oller, KLN ’76, LAW ’79, and Amy Oller, EDU ’76, to Temple’s Beasley School of Law. The gift, which is the second largest in Temple Law history, will create the Oller Center for the Rule of Law will serve as the Philadelphia home for a new national commitment to the rule of law and the principles of American democracy. 

Additionally, investment advisor and author Joslyn G. Ewart, EDU ’80, committed $3 million to establish an endowed deanship for the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts. This is now Temple’s first endowed deanship outside of its professional schools. 

The momentum comes as Temple is in the quiet phase of a $1.5 billion fundraising campaign. The campaign, which will enter its public phase within the next two years, is set to run through 2034 to coincide with Temple’s 150th anniversary. 

“While it is terrific to have a record year and raise more than $200 million, it is equally gratifying to know that the vast majority of these gifts will help enhance the student experience here at Temple,” Fry said. “There is no overstating of the impact that philanthropy can have on our institution.” 

A full recap of Temple’s successful fundraising year will be available next month.