Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to support The Wharton Fund?

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.

How is Wharton Fund support used?

The Wharton Fund advances every aspect of Wharton’s mission and operation, with investment that touches programs like the Semester in San Francisco and Global Modular Courses, facility upgrades at 2401 Walnut and new facilities like the Wharton Academic Research Building (WARB), and influential faculty research in areas like neuroscience. In fact, everything Wharton does The Wharton Fund supports.

What is the Benjamin Franklin Society?

The Benjamin Franklin Society is the University’s leadership unrestricted annual giving group. Leadership giving to The Wharton Fund starts at $2,500 (with an exemption for recent graduates, 0-4 years out, at $1,000). Philanthropy at this level has been fundamental to the School since the founding gift from Joseph Wharton in 1881. 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

Who benefits from gifts to The Wharton Fund?

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.

Tax Info

Wharton’s tax ID is #23-1352685

Who Should I Make Checks To?

Please make all checks payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

Why do gifts of all sizes matter?

The power of The Wharton Fund lies in the energy of participation, and gifts at every level—from $100 to $100,000—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.

Why is unrestricted giving important?

While endowed gifts are important, unrestricted funds—funds Wharton can use when and where the School needs most—are vital. 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.

Why did I receive a request for support from another University of Pennsylvania school or center as well as a request from The Wharton Fund?

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.

How will my gift to Wharton also benefit the University?

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.

I am giving from outside the U.S., how can I give?

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.

Canada Europe Hong Kong Israel Mexico United Kingdom
Viraj Patel, WG’17

“By donating to the Wharton Fund, not only are you paying forward the incredible experiences we’ve all had here as generations have done before us, but you’re also helping ensure that Wharton continues to be recognized as a top business school capable of offering a wealth of exciting programming for its students, which is crucial to preserving the Wharton Brand for us all after we graduate.”

Viraj Patel, WG’17

Stories

Campaign in Review

Experience Impact in Action

The world and its complex challenges require innovative solutions. The More Than Ever campaign positioned Wharton to meet these challenges head on. Philanthropic support during this campaign significantly increased Wharton’s capacity to incubate ideas, power insights, and create leaders who change the world.

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.

▼ Give by Phone

Call The Wharton Fund at +1.215.898.7868

▼ Give by Mail

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).

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

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

▼ Gifts of Cash

Cash gifts can be made by check or charged to a credit card. Charitable gifts of cash are deductible up to 60% of the donor’s adjusted gross income in the year of the gift with any balance carried forward up to five more years. In valuing any charitable gift for tax purposes, the donor must reduce the gift amount by the fair market value of any goods or services received from the charity.  Wharton’s Fiscal Year is July 1- June 30.

Use Our Secure Giving Site

▼ Donor-Advised Funds or Private Foundations

Recommend or direct gifts through donor-advised funds or private foundations.
Penn’s Tax ID/EIN is 23-1352685
Make donations payable to “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania”
Designate gift to The Wharton Fund.

▼ Bank Wires

Send your gift via a bank wire to:
Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

Account Name: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania – Gifts Accounting
Account# 2000030009956
Reference: Name and Affiliation (example: Susan Lee, WG’99)

For Domestic Wires and ACH’s
ABA Routing #: 121-000-248

For International Wires Only
SWIFT CODE: WFBIUS6S
CHIPS: 0407

▼ Appreciated Securities

The transfer of stock from a donor to Wharton is a fairly simple transaction. Morgan Stanley serves as the University’s main brokerage firm. You will need to work directly with your broker to complete a transfer form and initiate a transfer of stock to the University of Pennsylvania. If you hold the certificate, it is best if those certificates remain unendorsed and you complete a separate stock power form authorizing transfer of ownership from the donor to Wharton.

▼ Charitable Gifts Through Your IRA

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, has extended the IRA Charitable Rollover permanently. The extension allows individuals age 70½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from their IRAs to The Wharton School tax-free. You do not receive an income tax charitable deduction. This provision allows you to transfer money from your IRA directly to Wharton, without having to recognize the transfer as taxable income. You should consult with your tax advisors about your specific situations.

The sample letter can be used to send to your IRA plan provider.

▼ Matching Gifts

Don’t miss the unique opportunity to increase the impact of your giving through a matching gift program. To find out if your employer participates and learn more about how to apply a match to your Wharton Fund gift, visit Penn’s matching gifts database. Most matching gifts are made by companies employing Wharton alumni, including:

  • Bank of America
  • Deloitte & Touche LLP
  • Exxon Mobil
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Google
  • IBM
  • Microsoft
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Wells Fargo
  • And many more

For more information concerning the Matching Gifts Program, you can call +1.215.898.5069 or contact devgifts@dev.upenn.edu.

▼ Giving from Outside U.S.

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.

Europe
Hong Kong
United Kingdom

▼ Planned Gifts

Planned gifts can be made through bequests, unitrusts, life insurance, pooled income funds, and real estate. If you are interested in learning more about planned giving opportunities, call +1.215.898.6171 or click on the link below.

Learn About Planned Gifts