Welcome to The Wharton Fund

The Wharton Fund, the Wharton School’s unrestricted annual giving fund, supports existing programs and initiatives while also serving as the seed money for innovative new ventures. Only thanks to the many generous Wharton Fund donors can the School meet its immediate needs and leverage emerging opportunities.

Dean Erika James smiling with her arms crossed

Dean Erika H. James’ Fall Message 

We all face unexpected challenges in life — which is why I support The Wharton Fund. Every year, the stories of alumni remind me how The Wharton Fund allows us to lift each other up, no matter the obstacles we face.

The myriad effects of the pandemic, for instance, meant that Zamreen Ebrahim, WG’21 could no longer participate in a Global Modular Course, one of the hallmarks of the Wharton experience.

For his part, Wai Cheng, G’22, WG’22 faced a more personal challenge when his young son was diagnosed with a chronic health condition after Wai had accepted his dream job on the West Coast.

Read Zamreen and Wai’s stories below to learn how their support of The Wharton Fund helped ensure their own future success.

Will you join me in supporting The Wharton Fund this year?

Give to Wharton Today

Read Dean Erika H. James’ Fall Message
Dean Erika James

We all face unexpected challenges in life — which is why I support The Wharton Fund. Every year, the stories of alumni remind me how The Wharton Fund allows us to lift each other up, no matter the obstacles we face.

The myriad effects of the pandemic, for instance, meant that Zamreen Ebrahim, WG’21 could no longer participate in a Global Modular Course, one of the hallmarks of the Wharton experience.

For his part, Wai Cheng, G’22, WG’22 faced a more personal challenge when his young son was diagnosed with a chronic health condition after Wai had accepted his dream job on the West Coast.

Read Zamreen and Wai’s stories below to learn how their support of The Wharton Fund helped ensure their own future success.

Will you join me in supporting The Wharton Fund this year?

Power Wharton Today

2023 Donor Honor Roll

We sincerely thank everyone who included the School in their philanthropy with a gift to The Wharton Fund. This honor roll lists donors who made gifts to The Wharton Fund in the 2023 fiscal year (July 1, 2022─June 30, 2023). You can click here to view Previous Years’ Donor Honor Rolls.
The Wharton Fund 2023 Donor Honor Roll book

Everything Wharton Does, The Wharton Fund Supports

The School is educating more students, conducting more research, and disseminating thought leadership around the world – more than ever before. This growth is the result of your investment.

Unrestricted giving supported the following areas during Fiscal Year 2022:

MBA Financial Aid (28%)
MBA Financial Aid contributed to a more equitable student body by ensuring the Wharton experience was affordable to students regardless of their financial needs or situation.

Technology and Digital Resources (8%)
Wharton’s technology infrastructure, along with digital resources such as Wharton School Press, continued to keep the School connected and engaged — worldwide.

Administrative Departments (17%)
Administrative departments, like Wharton’s Marketing and Communications division, worked to reinforce the School’s brand — increasing the visibility of Wharton worldwide.

Centers and Research (16%)
Initiatives, like Wharton Interactive and Wharton People Analytics, ensured the School remained a hub for leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

Student Programming (14%)
From MBA Leadership Ventures and Semester in San Francisco to inventive curriculum enhancements and modifications, student programming increased the value of a Wharton degree.

Campus Facilities (11%)
With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, investments were made toward maintenance and facility upgrades from coast to coast.

Global Research and Initiatives (6%)
Programs such as Global Modular Courses and Wharton’s Global Immersion Program motivated Wharton students to be impactful global citizens.

Leadership and Loyalty

The Wharton Fund Giving Societies

Photo of Ben Franklin Statue

The Benjamin Franklin Society

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” The Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) is Wharton’s leadership annual giving circle. BFS members generously contribute $2,500 or more annually to The Wharton Fund. Recent Wharton graduates, 0-4 years out, can join the Young Franklin Society with gifts of $1,000 or more. Wharton thrives on the outsized impact of its BFS members.
Photo of Huntsman Hall

The Loyalty Society

The Wharton School recognizes the dedication of those who have given for three or more consecutive fiscal years to The Wharton Fund with membership in The Wharton Fund Loyalty Society.

Leadership and Loyalty

The Wharton Fund Giving Societies

Photo of Ben Franklin Statue

The Benjamin Franklin Society

The Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) is the School’s leadership annual giving circle. Members generously contribute $2,500 or more annually to The Wharton Fund. Alumni, up to four years after graduation, are eligible to join with contributions of $1,000 or more. Wharton thrives on the outsized impact of BFS members.

Photo of Huntsman Hall

The Loyalty Society

The Wharton School recognizes those who have given three or more consecutive fiscal years to The Wharton Fund as members of The Wharton Fund Loyalty Society.

Support The Wharton Fund. Together, we are always investing in Wharton.

Power Wharton Today

Support The Wharton Fund. Together, we are always investing in Wharton.

Power Wharton Today

Contact Us

Do you have questions about The Wharton Fund? Visit our FAQs site by clicking here or reach out any time to one of our Wharton Fund Liaisons. Not sure who to contact? Reach our office at +1.215.898.7868 or whartonfund@wharton.upenn.edu.

Picture of Beth Morris

Beth Truta Morris
Senior Director
The Wharton Fund
truta@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.898.3552

Picture of Diana Paterno

Diana Paterno
Senior Associate Director
The Wharton Fund
dianapat@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.292.5959

Picture of Jamie Lemisch

Jamie Lemisch
Senior Associate Director
35th-50th Reunions & prior
Full Time MBA Classes:
1991 and prior
jlemisch@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.267.353.4149

Picture of Kinjal Mathur

Kinjal Mathur
Director
25th and 30th Reunions
Full Time MBA Classes:
1992-2000
and MBAs for Executives
kinjalm@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.302.668.9895

Picture of Patrick Zeller

Patrick Zeller
Associate Director
10th, 15th, and 20th Reunions
Full-Time MBA Classes:
2001-2015
zellerp@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.573.9096

Picture of Isaiah Bryant

Isaiah Bryant
Associate Director
1st and 5th Reunions
Full-Time MBA Classes:
2016-2023
ibryant@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.573.7352

Contact Us

Do you have questions about The Wharton Fund? Visit our FAQs site by clicking here or reach out any time to one of our Wharton Fund Liaisons. Not sure who to contact? Reach our office at +1.215.898.7868 or whartonfund@wharton.upenn.edu.

Picture of Beth Morris

Beth Truta Morris
Senior Director 
The Wharton Fund
truta@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.898.3552

Picture of Diana Paterno

Diana Paterno
Senior Associate Director
The Wharton Fund
dianapat@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.292.5959

Picture of Jamie Lemisch

Jamie Lemisch
Associate Director
35th-50th Reunions & prior
Full Time MBA Classes: 1991 and prior
jlemisch@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.267.353.4149

Picture of Kinjal Mathur

Kinjal Mathur
Director
25th and 30th Reunions
Full Time MBA Classes: 1992-2000
and MBAs for Executives

kinjalm@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.302.668.9895

Picture of Patrick Zeller

Patrick Zeller
Associate Director
10th, 15th, and 20th Reunions
Full-Time MBA Classes: 2001-2015
zellerp@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.573.9096

Picture of Isaiah Bryant

Isaiah Bryant
Associate Director
1st and 5th Reunions
Full-Time MBA Classes: 2016-2023
ibryant@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.573.7352

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 fiscal year is July 1 - June 30. Penn's Tax ID/EIN is 23-1352685.