Wharton’s Alumni Executive Board and Graduate Executive Board are issuing a challenge to the Wharton community: lead with us.
They have collectively committed $1 million to match, dollar-for-dollar, all Benjamin Franklin Society–level gifts made between April 15 and May 31, 2026.
Join the Challenge by Leading Together
This is your opportunity to make your gift go twice as far. Your contribution of $2,500 or more will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact on Wharton.
Track Our Progress
Wharton’s Alumni Executive Board and Graduate Executive Board have collectively committed $1 million in matching funds.
Don’t miss your opportunity to join the challenge while matching funds are still available.
Join the Challenge — Here’s How:
- To be matched one-to-one, your donation must be a gift or pledge payment of $2,500 or more to The Wharton Fund.
- If you are a Wharton alum who graduated between 2022 – 2026, you can give $1,000 or more to qualify.
- Your gift must be dated between April 15 and May 31, 2026.
- You will not receive tax credit or gift recognition for matching challenge funds.
- If you are in a reunion year, matching challenge funds will not count toward your Reunion Class Gift Campaign.
Join the Challenge by Leading Together
This is your opportunity to make your gift go twice as far. Your contribution of $2,500 or more will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact on Wharton.
Track Our Progress
Wharton’s Alumni Executive Board and Graduate Executive Board have collectively committed $1 million in matching funds.
Don’t miss your opportunity to join the challenge while matching funds are still available.
Join the Challenge — Here’s How:
- To be matched one-to-one, your donation must be a gift or pledge payment of $2,500 or more to The Wharton Fund.
- If you are a Wharton alum who graduated between 2022 – 2026, you can give $1,000 or more to qualify.
- Your gift must be dated between April 15 and May 31, 2026.
- You will not receive tax credit or gift recognition for matching challenge funds.
- If you are in a reunion year, matching challenge funds will not count toward your Reunion Class Gift Campaign.
Join the Benjamin Franklin Society today.
Choose the leadership level that’s right for you.
Dean’s Circle: $100,000+
The Dean’s Circle represents a small, elite group of the School’s most generous leadership donors who make up less than 1% of all Wharton Fund donors. Their contributions account for the largest portion of the Fund’s total giving.
Make a sustaining impact in the Dean’s Circle through a $500,000 commitment over five years.
For all Dean’s Circle members who make a $100,000+ gift by May 31, our boards will make a matching $100,000+ gift.
Benefits
- Recognition in the Donor Honor Roll
- Recognition at alumni events
- Exclusive Wharton-branded giveaways
- Invitations to special events, including a BFS Reception at Reunion Weekend and one in New York City
- Early access to Lifelong Learning opportunities, including webinars
- Early access to The Wharton Fund’s Investor Report
- Special acknowledgement from Dean Erika James
Anvil Society: $50,000 – $99,999
The Anvil Society is named after the symbol of the Wharton School in homage to Joseph Wharton’s contributions to the metal industry.
Make a sustaining impact in the Anvil Society through a $250,000 commitment over five years.
For all Anvil Society members who make a $50,000+ gift by May 31, our boards will make a matching $50,000+ gift.
Benefits
- Recognition in the Donor Honor Roll
- Recognition at alumni events
- Exclusive Wharton-branded giveaways
- Invitations to special events, including a BFS Reception at Reunion Weekend and one in New York City
- Early access to Lifelong Learning opportunities, including webinars
- Early access to The Wharton Fund’s Investor Report
- Special acknowledgement from Dean Erika James
Joseph Wharton Society: $25,000 – $49,000
Named for the School’s founder, the Joseph Wharton Society is one of the most impactful levels due to the number of members and the generosity of their contributions.
Make a sustaining impact in the Joseph Wharton Society through a $125,000 commitment over five years.
For all Joseph Wharton Society members who make a $25,000+ gift by May 31, our boards will make a matching $25,000+ gift.
Benefits
- Recognition in the Donor Honor Roll
- Recognition at alumni events
- Exclusive Wharton-branded giveaways
- Invitations to special events, including a BFS Reception at Reunion Weekend and one in New York City
- Early access to Lifelong Learning opportunities, including webinars
- Early access to The Wharton Fund’s Investor Report
- Special acknowledgement from Dean Erika James
Founder: $10,000 – $24,999
The Founder Level is the society’s most rapidly growing level of membership.
Make a sustaining impact at the Founder level through a $50,000 commitment over five years.
For all Founder Level members who make a $10,000+ gift by May 31, our boards will make a matching $10,000+ gift.
Benefits
- Recognition in the Donor Honor Roll
- Recognition at alumni events
- Exclusive Wharton-branded giveaways
- Invitations to special events, including a BFS Reception at Reunion Weekend and one in New York City
- Early access to Lifelong Learning opportunities, including webinars
- Early access to The Wharton Fund’s Investor Report
- Special acknowledgement from Dean Erika James
Fellow: $5,000 – $9,999
The Fellow Level is for donors who wish to take their commitment to the next level.
Make a sustaining impact at the Fellow level through a $25,000 commitment over five years.
The Fellow Level is for donors who wish to take their commitment to the next level. This level is most utilized by those making a sustaining impact with a $25,000 commitment over five years.
For all Fellow Level members who make a $5,000+ gift by May 31, our boards will make a matching $5,000+ gift.
Benefits
- Recognition in the Donor Honor Roll
- Recognition at alumni events
- Exclusive Wharton-branded giveaways
- Invitations to special events, including a BFS Reception at Reunion Weekend and one in New York City
- Early access to Lifelong Learning opportunities, including webinars
Associate: $2,500-$4,999
The Associate Level is the entry point to membership in the Benjamin Franklin Society.
Make a sustaining impact at the Associate level through a $12,500 commitment over five years.
For all Associate Level members who make a $2,500+ gift by May 31, our boards will make a matching $2,500+ gift.
Benefits
- Recognition in the Donor Honor Roll
- Recognition at alumni events
- Exclusive Wharton-branded giveaways
- Invitations to special events, including a BFS Reception at Reunion Weekend and one in New York City
- Early access to Lifelong Learning opportunities, including webinars
Young Franklin Society: $1,000 – $2,499
Eligible for Wharton graduate alumni who are 0-4 years since graduation, the Young Franklin Society is for recent graduates who want to be philanthropic leaders immediately after graduation.
For all Young Franklin Society members who make a $1,000+ gift by May 31, our boards will make a matching $1,000+ gift.
Benefits
- Recognition in the Donor Honor Roll
- Recognition at alumni events
- Exclusive Wharton-branded giveaways
- Invitations to special events, including a BFS Reception at Reunion Weekend and one in New York City
- Early access to Lifelong Learning opportunities, including webinars
The Wharton Fund Investor’s Report
Benjamin Franklin Society members have an outsized impact on the Wharton School. We invite you to view The Wharton Fund’s FY2025 Investor’s Report, which provides insight into how your leadership support powered Wharton last year.
The Wharton Fund Investor’s Report
Benjamin Franklin Society members have an outsized impact on the Wharton School. We invite you to view The Wharton Fund’s FY2025 Investor’s Report, which provides insight into how your leadership support powered Wharton last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Benjamin Franklin Society member?
Become a member by giving $2,500 or more to The Wharton Fund within a single fiscal year.
You can support The Wharton Fund through one or more gifts or pledge payments. Gifts from donor advised funds, private foundations, matching gifts, or spousal credit all qualify toward your BFS membership.
If you are a recent graduate of Wharton (0-4 years from graduation), your membership can start at $1,000 or more.
How are Benjamin Franklin Society members recognized?
Donors retain the right to be anonymous at any time. This does not affect their membership status.
BFS members receive recognition at University and School events and in publications such as Wharton’s annual Donor Honor Roll. View the School’s most recent Honor Roll.
BFS members have the opportunity to be featured in a Benjamin Franklin Member Spotlight.
What funds qualify for Benjamin Franklin Society membership?
While the Wharton School is grateful for support of any kind, only those gifts designated to The Wharton Fund are eligible for BFS membership at the Wharton School.
Gifts toward any annual fund across the University qualify for membership in the University-wide Benjamin Franklin Society.
Contact Us
If you wish to speak to someone about making a leadership gift to The Wharton Fund, please contact Diana Paterno at +1.215.898.1612 or email her at dianapat@wharton.upenn.edu.
Ways to Give
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact The Wharton Fund at +1.215.898.7868 or whartonfund@wharton.upenn.edu
The University's Tax ID is 23-1352685. The fiscal year is July 1 - June 30.
Wharton External Affairs
Suite 500 FMC Tower
2929 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Make checks payable to: “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania”
Please include your name (and your spouse’s name if applicable), affiliation(s) and how to allocate your gift (ex. The Wharton Fund).