Billionaire Alumnus Donates Record $74M to St. Joe's Prep in Philadelphia

Largest-ever gift to a Catholic high school will fund scholarships and campus upgrades.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:25pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of hardcover books in various shades of blue and gray, representing the academic legacy and future of St. Joseph's Prep. The books are arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, using sharp, dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows to convey a sense of prestige and permanence.A generous $74 million gift from a prominent alumnus will help transform the campus of one of Philadelphia's most prestigious Catholic high schools.Philadelphia Today

Billionaire businessman Nick Howley, a 1970 graduate of St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, has donated a record-breaking $74 million to his alma mater. The gift, which includes contributions from Howley and his wife Lorie through the Howley Foundation, will fund 80 four-year scholarships and pay for major campus improvements including a new outdoor courtyard, parking facility, and multi-sport complex.

Why it matters

This historic donation to St. Joe's Prep, one of the most prestigious Catholic high schools in the country, underscores the enduring value that alumni place on their alma maters. The gift will significantly expand access to a top-tier education for students who may not otherwise be able to afford it, while also modernizing the school's facilities to better serve the community.

The details

The $74 million donation is the largest gift ever made to a Catholic high school in the United States. It will fund 20 four-year scholarships for each grade level, as well as the construction of an outdoor courtyard, a new parking facility, and a multi-sport complex for football, soccer, and lacrosse. Renderings of the upgraded campus were shown at the announcement event, which included the words "W. Joseph Howley '70 campus" on one of the images.

  • The donation was announced on April 17, 2026.
  • The Howleys had previously donated $6 million to St. Joe's Prep.

The players

Nick Howley

A billionaire businessman and member of the St. Joseph's Prep class of 1970, who founded and chairs Transdigm Group, Inc., a leading provider of aerospace components and services.

Lorie Howley

Nick Howley's wife, who co-donated the $74 million gift through the Howley Foundation.

St. Joseph's Prep

A prestigious Catholic high school in Philadelphia, founded in 1851, that has produced numerous notable alumni.

John Marinacci

The president of St. Joseph's Prep, who spoke at the announcement event.

Drexel University

The university where Nick Howley earned his undergraduate degree in 1975, and where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees.

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What they’re saying

“The Howley Foundation saw the impact that it was having, and really continued their investment in increasing their scholarships. They also felt strongly that as students continued to have the experience that they wanted to support, and that Nick had as a Prep alum, it was also worth investing in the infrastructure and the stability of the school.”

— John Marinacci, President, St. Joseph's Prep

What’s next

School leaders hope construction can begin soon and that the new campus can be completed by 2030.

The takeaway

This historic donation to St. Joe's Prep underscores the enduring value that successful alumni place on their alma maters, and the transformative impact that such philanthropic investments can have on expanding educational opportunities and modernizing school facilities for future generations of students.