Billionaire Alumnus Donates Record $74 Million to St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia

On April 17, 2026, businessman and St. Joseph’s Prep alumnus Nick Howley, along with his wife Lorie and the Howley Foundation, announced a transformative $74 million gift to his alma mater in Philadelphia. This donation represents the largest ever made to a Catholic high school in the United States and will fund scholarships, campus improvements, and the school’s ongoing “Forever the Prep” capital campaign.

The gift, which combines contributions from Howley, his wife, and their foundation, will support 80 four-year scholarships—20 for each grade level—and finance major construction projects including a new outdoor courtyard, parking facility, and multi-sport complex for football, soccer, and lacrosse. Renderings unveiled at the announcement event featured the designation “W. Joseph Howley ’70 campus” on one of the planned facilities.

Howley, a 1970 graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, is the founder and chairman of Transdigm Group, Inc., a leading aerospace components manufacturer. He as well earned a degree from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business in 1975 and serves on Drexel’s Board of Trustees. Prior to this gift, the Howleys had donated $6 million to the school, bringing their total contributions to $80 million.

School leaders, including President John Marinacci, emphasized that the donation reflects the Howley Foundation’s continued commitment to expanding access through scholarships whereas investing in the institution’s long-term stability and infrastructure. Construction on the new facilities is expected to begin soon, with completion targeted by 2030.

This historic contribution underscores the lasting impact of alumni support and aims to strengthen St. Joseph’s Prep’s mission of providing a rigorous, Jesuit-based education to students from diverse backgrounds.

Key Takeaways

• Nick Howley, a 1970 graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, donated $74 million to the school—the largest gift ever to a U.S. Catholic high school.
• The gift will fund 80 four-year scholarships (20 per grade) and finance a new outdoor courtyard, parking facility, and multi-sport complex.
• Renderings of the planned campus upgrades include a designation honoring Howley as “W. Joseph Howley ’70 campus.”
• Howley is the founder and chairman of Transdigm Group, Inc., and a Drexel University trustee.
• This donation brings the Howley family’s total giving to St. Joseph’s Prep to $80 million, including a prior $6 million contribution.
• School officials anticipate construction to begin soon, with completion expected by 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nick Howley?

Nick Howley is a 1970 graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia. He is the founder and chairman of Transdigm Group, Inc., a major provider of aerospace components and services. Howley also holds a degree from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business and serves on its Board of Trustees.

What will the $74 million donation fund at St. Joseph’s Prep?

The donation will support 80 four-year scholarships for students and finance the construction of an outdoor courtyard, a new parking facility, and a multi-sport complex for football, soccer, and lacrosse.

Is this the largest donation ever to a Catholic high school?

Yes. Multiple news sources confirmed that the $74 million gift from Nick Howley and the Howley Foundation is the largest single donation ever made to a Catholic high school in the United States.

When was the donation announced?

The $74 million gift was announced on April 17, 2026, during a school-wide assembly at St. Joseph’s Prep’s Kelly Fieldhouse.