Frequently Asked Questions

The Wharton Fund provides a valuable, consistent stream of resources that alleviate operating costs and the transferring of those costs to current students. It also helps the School plan for the future.

While endowed gifts such as scholarships are important, unrestricted funds – like those raised by The Wharton Fund – are vital as they can be used when and where the School needs them most. The Wharton Fund allows the administration to respond to immediate needs and opportunities that may arise and continually builds the School’s financial foundation. It provides the broadest possible base for alumni and friends of the School to participate in supporting Wharton.

The Wharton Fund advances every aspect of the School’s mission and operation by supporting programs like the Semester in San Francisco and MBA Leadership Ventures, along with facility improvements and modernizations, and cutting-edge faculty research in areas like neuroscience. Resources from The Wharton Fund are regularly disseminated worldwide in support of satellite campuses, international research, and innovative educational opportunities.

All of Wharton benefits from your generosity. Every Wharton student—graduate and undergraduate—benefits from resources The Wharton Fund provides, as do all Wharton faculty. Gifts to The Wharton Fund truly have a global reach, supporting Wharton’s campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco, international research and education opportunities, and the dissemination of Wharton’s thought leadership across the business landscape.

The Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) is the leadership unrestricted annual giving circle at the Wharton School. Members of the Society generously contribute $2,500 or more annually to The Wharton Fund. Recent MBA graduates, 0-4 years out, are able to join with gifts of $1,000 or more. Visit Wharton’s Benjamin Franklin Society website to learn more about its importance, impact, and levels of giving.

The Benjamin Franklin Society at the Wharton School recognizes donors at the following levels:

Dean’s Circle:$100,000 and above

Anvil Society:$50,000-$99,999

Joseph Wharton Society:$25,000-$49,999

Founder:$10,000-$24,999

Fellow:$5,000-$9,999

Associate:$2,500-$4,999

Young Franklin Society:$1,000-$2,499
0 to 4 years after graduation

Wharton recognizes those donors who have given to The Wharton Fund – at any level – for three or more consecutive fiscal years as members of The Wharton Fund Loyalty Society. Loyalty Society members are Wharton’s most committed philanthropic champions who lead by example year after year. Visit The Wharton Fund Loyalty Society’s website to learn more about its importance and impact.

The power of The Wharton Fund lies in the energy of participation and gifts of all sizes are valuable contributions to its success. This collective abundance creates energy that moves the School forward by helping The Wharton Fund reach its goals. High levels of participation in unrestricted giving is a key indicator of the strength and health of an institution.

If you hold multiple academic degrees or have an affiliation with other schools or centers at the University, you might receive solicitations for their respective annual funds, programs or other initiatives. Each school and center funds its own operating budget.

As a school of The University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School is a valuable partner within the University. Wharton is recognized as an engine for creating leaders who will change the world and that is a mission and vision supported by the University. But when you donate to The Wharton Fund, your gift is dedicated expressly to the needs of the Wharton School.

Make checks payable to
“The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania”

At this time, we are asking that all checks be sent directly to the bank for processing. Please include your name (and your spouse’s name if applicable), affiliation(s) and how to allocate your gift (ex. The Wharton Fund).

For USPS
University of Pennsylvania
Office of the Treasurer
PO BOX 71332
Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913

For FedEx and UPS Deliveries Only
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton External Affairs
Suite 300 FMC Tower
2929 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

The Wharton School’s tax ID/EIN number is 23-1352685.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is a registered 501 (c)(3) organization and charitable gifts made to the School are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

If you live outside the United States and are considering a gift to Wharton, please visit Penn’s Giving from Outside the U.S. website. If you are a taxpayer in one of the following areas, please visit our country-specific giving pages before making your gift as your contribution may qualify for tax benefits in your home country.

Canada
Europe
Hong Kong
United Kingdom