Jefferson Concludes Successful Year in Philanthropy

Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health are reporting successful fundraising results for fiscal year 2022. Alumni and benefactors contributed over 30,000 gifts representing more than $163.8 million for health, research, and educational initiatives. This marks the fourth straight year that annual charitable giving benefiting the university and health system surpassed $100 million. 

“Amid great change and uncertainty in the world, what we have witnessed is the best in humanity,” says Elizabeth A. Dale, EdD, MPA, Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer for the institution. “We are incredibly grateful to the Jefferson community of supporters for their unwavering trust in our ability to improve lives.” 

Funds raised provided support for a myriad of initiatives, including scholarships, research, health equity, endowed positions, capital, and patient care.

The largest gift in the year came from Marcus Foundation, which provided $22.6 million to the university’s Department of Integrative Medicine, which focuses on a scientific approach to health and healing that enhances conventional medicine with a broader range of treatment options.

Major donations included a $12.5 million gift from an anonymous benefactor for the Jefferson Collaborative for Health Equity, which seeks to reduce the healthcare disparity in underserved populations. Loyal benefactors Judi and Bruce Goodman made leadership gifts to support our new outpatient center and endow the top regional advancement position at Jefferson Health. Longtime faculty member Marion Siegman, PhD, FAPS, made a significant gift to expand the university archives in Center City. And a $3.1 million investment from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation for the widely lauded Closing the Gap initiative will focus on alleviating socio-economic problems that contribute to illness while increasing access to care and providing education on risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The year also saw success for the annual Jefferson Giving Day, as more than $2 million was raised in just 24 hours.

“Philanthropy is both a foundation and a springboard for all that Jefferson does,” says Caro Rock, chair of the Jefferson Institutional Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees. “The amazing generosity of our donors enables our institution to do even more for patients, students, and the community.”

The fundraising year pushed Jefferson’s continuing Reimagine Campaign past the $1 billion mark. More than 70,000 donors have supported the campaign so far.

“The fundraising success of the Reimagine Campaign to date demonstrates the community’s confidence in Jefferson and its ability to lead the way in healthcare, research, and education,” says H. Richard Haverstick, Jr., Interim CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health. “As we look ahead to onboarding our new CEO, Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, there is tremendous excitement about where Jefferson is going. We are exceedingly grateful to our alumni and benefactors for their support and their generosity, which makes our work possible and inspires us to do more.”