These Are the Largest Donations to U.S. Colleges and Universities

Higher education is no stranger to donations from alums, philanthropists, and billionaires hoping to advance an institution they believe will improve the lives of students — and change the world.

In a trend of rising costs and lower enrollment, multimillion-dollar donations can give colleges the boost to not only survive but thrive. It’s common to see donations from longtime supporters, members of their college’s community, and anonymous donors who prefer to withhold their identities.

Colleges have also been using large donations to expand student financial aid, with some universities like Duke University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine using their gifts to give students free tuition.

Johns Hopkins University is using its second billion-dollar donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies, created by alum Michael Bloomberg, to cover tuition for most medical students. The school will also use the donation to cover living expenses for students from families making under $175,000.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has cemented itself as one of the largest contributors to higher education, taking the first and fifth spot for highest known donations. The organization just invested $600 million into historically Black medical schools (HBMS), which are responsible for graduating 15% of all Black male medical students nationwide.

Recently, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have received hundreds of millions for endowments, scholarships, and university needs. HBCUs are 1890 Land-Grant institutions entitled to the same state funding as their predominantly-white counterparts. However, they’ve been underfunded since they began, leaving private organizations and donors to boost endowments.

Here are some of the biggest donations made to colleges and universities for research, business, scholarships, and even stem cells in space. Then, explore some of the biggest donations of all time to higher education.

Date: December 9, 2024

Donor: William J. Levy

The gift from late alum William Levy’s estate will fund the William J. Levy Endowed Scholarship Fund, supporting over 40 students in the College of Arts and Sciences each year no matter their financial backgrounds.

“During his life, Bill Levy was a Penn student, alumnus, and dedicated friend to Penn. Generously establishing the William J. Levy Endowed Scholarship over two decades ago, he shared our belief that service-oriented leadership is crucial to making headway on the great challenges of our time,” said Interim President J. Larry Jameson.

“I am deeply grateful for this gift that will support deserving undergraduates with a proven commitment to their communities. His legacy will not only uplift future leaders, but it will also touch societies far beyond Penn’s campus.”

Date: December 5, 2024

Donor: Lilly Endowment Inc.

The three-year grant will support early childhood education students and their children. By 2027, the college will create early childhood education micro-credentials and federally registered adult-based early childhood apprenticeships. The Kids on Campus project will teach childhood education students while caring for the college students’ children.

“Among the most critical challenges facing early childhood education programs in Indiana are the recruiting, retaining and compensating of qualified teachers and caregivers,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education.

“Though Ivy Tech cannot solve these challenges alone, we believe that its plan to expand and enhance training and education offerings has the potential to improve the quality of the early childhood workforce in significant ways, ultimately to the benefit of thousands of young children in Indiana.”

Date: December 3, 2024

Donor: Stephen Schanwald

The donation by Chicago Bulls executive and alum Stephen Schanwald gave $10 million to the athletics department and $8 million to the school of business to endow its Sports Management Program and fund scholarships.

“It’s a great blessing at this stage of my life to be able to have the opportunity to try to help young people grow and achieve their dreams,” said Schanwald. “The most rewarding thing to me is mentoring people and helping people climb the ladder the way I was helped.”

Date: November 16, 2024

Donor: Darlene Marcos Shiley

Darlene Marcos Shiley, philanthropist and board of trustee chair, celebrated the university’s 75th anniversary by donating the largest gift in its history. The gift created the “Shiley STEM Initiative,” an expansion of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, funding, and facilities.

“Darlene Shiley is one of the most generous and kind individuals that anyone could ever meet. She’s always looking out for humanity and the best interests of our society, and she particularly loves our students,” said USD President James T. Harris III.

“We are a better institution because of Donald and Darlene Shiley and what they’ve decided to do for this institution and what they’ve done for this world. In our vision statement we talk about leading with love, and Donald and Darlene Shiley have always led with love.”

Date: November 15, 2024

Donor: Helen Izzi Schilling

Late alum Helen Izzi Schilling committed $65 million in her and her husband’s will — the largest single donation in the university’s history. The donation will create a scholarship fund for $20,000 a year to high-achieving STEM students starting in fall 2025.

“My mother’s education in the sciences formed the foundation of a career that was dedicated to helping people, and that started at the University of Rhode Island,” said Paul J. Schilling, M.D. “She wanted to make a difference for her alma mater, but most importantly for the students going forward. I am glad that my parents will be remembered for giving students a head start to achieve their goals.”

Date: November 12, 2024

Donor: The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation

The historic gift will completely transform the Atlanta, Georgia campus into a safer, more inviting, and comfortable place for the community. The new project includes a new dining area and gathering space, sidewalks, a newer greenway, and renovations.

“The Woodruff Foundation, one of Georgia’s greatest philanthropic institutions and one of downtown’s most important partners, is entrusting us and our University System of Georgia colleagues to act boldly over the next two years to realize a new vision for our downtown campus,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake. “We are grateful for their support and for their partnership in sharing this vision for a college town downtown.”

Date: October 24, 2024

Donor: Bill Miller

Alum and businessman Bill Miller donated the largest single gift in the university’s history toward financial aid. The university will now have need-blind admissions, not considering an applicant’s family income in admissions. The university also covers tuition for qualifying students and meets 100% of a student’s financial need.

“I am pleased that this gift will make the same education attainable for students who share W&L’s core values of honor, integrity and civility and who bring different points of view, life experiences and talents that will contribute to a fuller and richer college experience.

“Being need-blind will allow Washington and Lee to attract the most highly sought-after students with a simple and powerful message: Your financial circumstances, however modest, will not prevent you from attending W&L. I hope my gift will inspire others to support this outstanding university.”

Date: October 9, 2024

Donor: The Baustert Family Foundation

Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) largest donation in history will fund the new Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center for health professions and interdisciplinary research. The center will have new labs, study and collaboration spaces, and technologies.

“This historic gift allows NIU to realize fully our vision of ‘building for a healthier tomorrow’ by creating a modern space designed to foster innovation, transdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional practice, and will enable our students and faculty to deliver on the promise of health care technology to improve patient care and health outcomes,” said NIU President Lisa Freeman.

Date: October 3, 2024

Donor: Tadashi Yanai

Tadashi Yanai — philanthropist, president and CEO of Fast Retailing, and founder of Uniqlo clothing brand — donated the largest single gift to the College Division of Humanities. The gift will go to the Japan Past & Present Initiative to make UCLA a global leader in Japanese humanities and promote equitable research access, teaching resources, and collaboration worldwide.

“I am proud to support the study of Japanese humanities at UCLA and around the world because I believe in sharing and valuing the practices and artforms that shape our world,” Yanai said in the press release. “The humanities and arts make us who we are — they enable us as humans to relate to and care for one another. I look forward to seeing how Japan Past & Present will expand and enrich this critical work.”

Date: October 1, 2024

Donor: Anonymous

An anonymous donor is helping expand the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, a forum dedicated to hosting events and initiatives for free speech. The Forum began in 2023 and has hosted students, faculty, experts, and guests to discuss subjects like the war in Gaza and impactful U.S. Supreme Court cases.

“Like many other societies, the United States is grappling with issues related to free expression, including misinformation, a polarized media environment, and a rising censoriousness,” said Tom Ginsburg, faculty member and inaugural faculty Forum director. “We want the Chicago Forum to build on the University’s traditions as the place for cutting‑edge thinking to address today’s challenges.

“We also want every student to have the experience of speaking their mind and the possibility of changing it in conversation with others. This transformative gift will allow us to build upon what we’ve started and have a much larger impact.”

Date: June 1, 2023

Donor:The Simons Foundation

The Simons Foundation, founded by Marilyn and Jim Simons, gave the unrestricted gift for the university to use wherever it sees fit. The university said it plans to use the funding for scholarships, endowed professorships, research, and clinical care.

The foundation’s gift will also help give those from underserved communities the opportunity to reach their full potential. We look forward to seeing this institution continue to thrive.”

New York City also recently selected the university to be the anchor institution for the New York Climate Exchange, a climate research hub and campus on the city’s Governors Island.

“As a Stony Brook graduate, I know firsthand the role that a quality education plays in the trajectory of one’s life,” said Marilyn Simons. “I am proud of the education I received there. Jim and I want to ensure that Stony Brook continues to serve its students with the highest level of educational excellence and with world-class resources.

Date: June 24, 2015

Donors: Phil and Penny Knight

The Nike co-founder and his wife pledged $500 million as part of a $1 billion fundraising challenge to support early detection of lethal cancers. The university used the total $1 billion to build a new research facility and cancer care clinics for expanded clinical trials.

“Penny and I have total confidence in Brian Druker and the entire OHSU Knight Cancer Institute team to put a stop to a disease that touches each of our lives,” said Phil Knight.

“We are more convinced than ever that cancer will meet its match at OHSU, and we are proud to play a role in this history in the making.”

Date: July 6, 2021 and Oct. 18, 2016

Donors: Phil and Penny Knight

The Nike co-founder and his wife first donated $500 million to the university in 2016, which created the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The building, completed in 2020, was able to expand after the second gift by creating more faculty positions and a second building.

“There is no greater vote of confidence in our success than the Knights’ decision to double their investment in the Knight Campus. This gift will help provide opportunities for students, faculty, the university, and our state to reach new levels of discovery, innovation, and collaboration,” the university wrote in a 2021 statement.

“Please join us in thanking the Knights and the scores of individuals who helped make this University of Oregon’s moonshot of a dream into a stunning reality.”

Date: December 7, 2021

Donors: Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan

The donation, spread over 15 years, went to create an institute for artificial intelligence and neuroscience named after Zuckerberg’s mother. The donation created 10 new faculty positions, new computing infrastructure, and more student resources at all levels.

“Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to promoting discovery, innovation, and service at Harvard and other academic institutions around the United States,” said President Lawrence S. Bacow.

“From supporting the study of COVID-19 treatments and advancing literacy research, to boosting public service opportunities for undergraduates, they have shown a genuine commitment through their work at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and beyond to curing disease, improving lives, and encouraging others to serve.”

Date: June 8, 2021

Donors: Anonymous

The anonymous alums’ donation gave $200 million to the university, $300 million for the medical school, and $50 million for the athletics department. According to the university, the donors’ gift reflected their belief in diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

“Like Western, our donors are committed to a future that truly provides opportunity for everyone to advance,” said President Edward Montgomery.

“In order to empower our future, we must break down the barriers created by historic inequities. This gift is an important step in leveling the playing field and putting quality education in reach for students from historically underrepresented populations.”

Date: October 29, 2001

Donors: Gordon and Betty Moore

Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and his wife, Betty, donated half of the $600 million, and their foundation donated the other half. The funds were set apart for education and science programs at Caltech. The Moores’ donation distributed $300 million across five years, while the foundation’s was spread across a decade.

“Caltech has a unique ability to do multidisciplinary work — partly because of its size and partly because of its history. It is described as being a national treasure and it certainly is,” said Gordon Moore. “The education I received there has served me well. We are hoping this gift will position the institute well as it moves forward.”

Date: November 15, 2017

Donors: Florence and Herbert Irving

Florence Irving and her late husband donated to advance cancer research and clinical care. They donated more than $900 million total to both institutions over three decades. In 2016, the two institutions renamed the shared medical campus, “Columbia University Irving Medical Center” and “NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.”

“Herbert and I have always been proud to help the terrific doctors at Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian,” said Florence Irving.

“It meant everything to him to be able to support world-class research and caregiving that makes a difference in people’s lives. I am honored, as he always was, to be associated with these great institutions and the special people who make them what they are.”

Date: September 26, 2019

Donors: Stewart and Lynda Resnick

The donation from the philanthropist couple went to support sustainability research through interdisciplinary work in physical sciences, life sciences, and engineering. The institute also pledged to build a 75,000-square-foot building in their name to serve as a hub for sustainability research and laboratories.

“In order to comprehensively manage the climate crisis, we need breakthrough innovations, the kind that will only be possible through significant investment in university research,” said Stewart Resnick. “Science and bold creativity must unite to address the most pressing challenges facing energy, water, and sustainability.”

Date: July 8, 2024

Donor: Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies, alum Michael Bloomberg’s organization, donated $1 billion towards graduate financial aid, covering tuition entirely and, in some cases, living expenses for about two-thirds of university medical students. The assistance is available to any medical student from a family making less than $300,000, which is about 95% of Americans, according to the university.

The funding will also provide need-based scholarships and fellowships for graduate students in nursing, public health, education, engineering, business, arts and sciences, advanced international studies, and the newly formed School of Government and Policy.

“As the U.S. struggles to recover from a disturbing decline in life expectancy, our country faces a serious shortage of doctors, nurses, and public health professionals — and yet, the high cost of medical, nursing, and graduate school too often bars students from enrolling,” Bloomberg said in a statement.

“By reducing the financial barriers to these essential fields, we can free more students to pursue careers they’re passionate about — and enable them to serve more of the families and communities who need them the most.”

Date: July 21, 2023

Donor: Anonymous

The small Kansas liberal arts college with 40 programs of study known for its automotive restoration technology degree received a commitment in November from an anonymous donor, which will fund engineering programs, health sciences programs, and student debt relief. The donor matched $2 for every dollar the college raised, up to $500 million.

The donor surprised the college with another $500 million commitment after it completed the challenge at the end of June. The college will receive the donation over time or in full upon the donor’s death.

According to McPherson, its over-$1.5 billion endowment is the largest in history for a small liberal arts college.

“Now, the work begins to build a bridge to our future endowment,” said President Michael Schneider. “We need to carefully plan how the income from the endowment is deployed to reimagine and construct the campus of the future, build a much-needed rural health pipeline in Kansas, create a center for the future of automotive engineering and work to make college more affordable for all our students. There has never been a better day to be a part of the McPherson College community!”

Date: February, 26, 2024

Donor: Ruth L. Gottesman

Ruth L. Gottesman, chair of the board of trustees at the college and longtime donor donated what seems to be the largest gift ever to a medical school to give all students free tuition starting in August, 2024. All current fourth-year students will receive tuition reimbursement for the spring 2024 semester.

The college and Gottesman hopes removing tuition will increase the diversity of students who would otherwise not be able to afford medical school.

“Each year, well over 100 students enter Albert Einstein College of Medicine in their quest for degrees in medicine and science,” Gottesman said. “They leave as superbly trained scientists and compassionate and knowledgeable physicians, with the expertise to find new ways to prevent diseases and provide the finest health care to communities here in the Bronx and all over the world.”

Date: May 4, 2022

Donors: John and Ann Doerr

This donation announced in May 2022 created Stanford’s first new school in 70 years, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. The school focuses on studies including climate change, sustainable cities, food and water security, and human health and the environment.

“This new school will accelerate scholarship and solutions to pressing challenges facing the earth, climate, and society,” John Doerr tweeted. “It is the result of visionary thinking about the role of the university and our shared ambition to make a measurable impact on the climate crisis.”

Date: November 18, 2018

Donors: Michael Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg donated to permanently increase undergraduate financial aid at the university.

“Denying students entry to a college based on their ability to pay undermines equal opportunity,” Bloomberg said. “It perpetuates intergenerational poverty. And it strikes at the heart of the American dream: the idea that every person, from every community, has the chance to rise based on merit.”