Villanova Receives $40 Million to Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University

VILLANOVA, Pa. (Oct. 25, 2024) — Villanova University has received a gift of $40 million that will advance the University’s ability to meet the ever-changing demands of higher education and further strengthen Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic educational mission. This anonymous gift marks the largest gift to-date as part of Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University, which publicly launched on October 5, and is the second largest individual gift in Villanova’s history.

“This generous gift will strengthen our ability to advance Villanova’s educational mission and play a part in achieving our bold plans for the Villanova community set out in our Strategic Plan, Rooted. Restless.,” said University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. “I could not be more grateful for the continued belief and investment in the Villanova experience.”

The gift will support the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund, which enables the President of Villanova to direct resources towards priorities and opportunities that cover a wide range of mission-centric needs, ranging from investing in new and innovative programs to capital improvements and enhancements to unexpected student needs.

“With the recent launch of Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University, this significant gift moves us closer to meeting our ambitious $1.25 billion goal,” said Kevin Noller, Vice President for University Advancement. “We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary investment in Villanova, which will inspire others as we seek to strengthen the transformational educational experience we provide.”

Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University reflects the strong, generous and unshakeable spirit that connects all Villanovans. With a goal of $1.25 billion, it is the most ambitions fundraising effort in the University’s history. Achieving this goal will strengthen Villanova’s academic preeminence, enrich the campus and amplify the University’s collective Augustinian Catholic impact—across the nation and around the world. 

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.