An anonymous donor has given a boost to Villanova University’s $1.25 billion fundraising campaign with a $40 million gift, writes Ryan Mulligan for Philadelphia Business Journal.

It is the second largest gift received in the university’s history.

The money will go toward the president’s Strategic Initiative Fund, which allows President Rev. Peter Donohue to “direct resources toward priorities and opportunities that cover a wide range of mission-centric needs” from capital projects to new academic programs.

.The university’s largest gift came more than a decade ago, when the Davis Foundation, created by Kim and Jim Davis, gave Villanova $50 million.

Villanova is in the public phase of its fundraising campaign, “Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova University.”

With this latest gift, the university has raised $697.4 million toward its goal.

Kevin Noller, Villanova’s vice president for university advancement, hopes the gift will encourage others to give.

When the Davis Foundation $50 million gift was received, it generated 10 other gifts exceeding $10 million toward its 2018 capital campaign.

“Espiritus Nova” will fund capital projects, financial aid and research.

The anonymous gift follows what has been Villanova’s most successful fundraising year, received $143 million from donors in fiscal 2024.

Read more about Villanova’s current fundraising efforts in the Philadelphia Business Journal.