MBA Class Gift
A powerful way for current students and alumni to demonstrate the impact of their Wharton experience is through the MBA Class Gift.
One of Wharton’s proudest traditions is giving back
Each year, second-year MBA student organize a class gift campaign to honor their Wharton experience. Student volunteers from the full-time MBA program and the MBA Program for Executives in Philadelphia and San Francisco share with their fellow classmates the importance of philanthropy while encouraging their support of The Wharton Fund.
If you are a second-year MBA student, make your gift or multi-year pledge today.
One of Wharton’s proudest traditions is giving back
Each year, second-year MBA student organize a class gift campaign to honor their Wharton experience. Student volunteers from the full-time MBA program and the MBA Program for Executives in Philadelphia and San Francisco share with their fellow classmates the importance of philanthropy while encouraging their support of The Wharton Fund.
If you are a second-year MBA student, make your gift or multi-year pledge today.
“Wharton has provided us with life-changing opportunities. It is our responsibility to give back to ensure others can also get the most out of their Wharton experience.”
Saphir Esmail, G’22, WG’22

Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I donate to the Class Gift?
The MBA Class Gift is one of the ways for Wharton students to pay it forward and provide future MBA students with equally memorable opportunities and experiences. It is also one of the many ways you are remembered by generations of classes yet to come.
As graduates, you have a vested interest in Wharton’s continued success – which is inextricably linked to philanthropy. Wharton was founded upon philanthropy when Joseph Wharton made his gift in 1881 to establish the first collegiate business school in the world. Your Class Gift efforts honor this important legacy in the same way it has for past students and alumni – and keeps the Wharton brand strong.
How are donations to the Class Gift used?
Donations to the Class Gift are directed to The Wharton Fund. The Wharton Fund provides support to Wharton’s annual operating budget by backing a wide range of programs and initiatives across the School, such as:
✓ Leadership programs and coaching
✓ MBA Financial Aid
✓ Career services for both students and alumni
✓ Global Modular Courses
✓ The Wharton Executive MBA Program in both Philadelphia and San Francisco
✓ Alumni events such as Reunion Weekend
✓ Ongoing faculty research and centers
✓ Unique resources such as Wharton Business Radio on SiriusXM and Wharton School Press
And much more!
I paid tuition, how is this different?
Tuition and fees only cover part of your Wharton experience. Unrestricted funds – like those raised by The Wharton Fund – are vital because they alleviate operating costs and allow the administration to respond to immediate needs and opportunities that may arise. New programs and initiatives are also made possible through unrestricted philanthropic dollars – like those to The Wharton Fund.
I can’t give a lot, do gifts of all sizes matter?
Your gift – regardless of size – is an incredibly powerful statement that illustrates the value of your Wharton experience. Even a small contribution to your Class Gift demonstrates that you are united in support of Wharton’s mission and its global community of students, faculty, and alumni.
The power of The Wharton Fund lies in the collective energy of participation and gifts of all sizes are valuable contributions to its success. Every dollar to The Wharton Fund is spent immediately to innovate, educate, and engage students, like you, who are the future of business.
Why is our class’s participation percentage so important?
High levels of philanthropic participation are a key indicator of the strength and health of an institution. High participation rates not only send a powerful message of affinity and support, but they are also a great way to benchmark Wharton against its peer schools.
What is the Young Franklin Society (YFS) and how do I become a member?
The Young Franklin Society (YFS) is the leadership annual giving circle for Wharton graduate alumni, 0-4 years out from graduation, who want to be philanthropic leaders in the Wharton community. Entry into YFS starts at $1,000 annually.
Young Franklin Society donors are crucial to the School’s ongoing success and Wharton thrives on their generous leadership support.
Is there anything else I should know about giving to the Class Gift?
Donations to the Class Gift are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The University will send you an acknowledgment letter for your gift stating the amount given during the fiscal year (July 1-June 30).
Additionally, if you are currently employed, we encourage you to check with your employer about a matching gift program. Class Gift donations that are matched will show as part of the total given by a student, often doubling the student’s original gift amount. Click here to see if your employer offers a matching gift program.
Through the Class Gift, previous students have championed an exceptional Wharton MBA experience for future generations. We hope you will pay it forward.
Contact Us
For more information on your MBA Class Gift, contact your Wharton Fund Liaison

Laurie Rothenberg
Associate Director
Full Time MBA Classes
lauriero@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.215.779.7330

Cynthia Orr
Associate Director
MBAs for Executives
corr@wharton.upenn.edu
+1.267.698.5700
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 Online
▼ 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.
▼ 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
- 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.
▼ 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.