Saint Joseph’s Prep Receives Landmark $74 Million Donation

Saint Joseph’s Prep received an unprecedented donation, with the school announcing on Friday, April 17 that Class of 1970 alumnus Nick Howley will gift $74 million to his alma mater in order to fund scholarships and a new athletics complex on the campus. Per the announcement, the donation will fund 80 four-year scholarships, 20 apiece for each graduating class. Campus renovations will include a complex for football, soccer and lacrosse, an outdoor courtyard and improved parking facilities.

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, “the campus will mostly be built on existing Prep land, though the acquisition of some new land is being finalized. Officials said the campus will expand two blocks north onto newly acquired land. The parking garage and field for rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, lacrosse, and more will occupy the new land.” The parking facility will be located underground, helping to fit minimize the amount of space taken up at the North Philadelphia campus.

The stated timeline for upgrades will run through 2030 according to the current plan. Saint Joseph’s Prep played many of their football home games at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field in recent seasons; while they’ve won seven of the last ten Pennsylvania 6A state championships, they also play tenant during practices, holding their summer training camp and fall practices on Temple’s campus.

Howley is the chairman and founder of Transdigm Group, Inc., an NYSE-listed company focused on aerospace engineering. His estimated net worth checks in north of $1.1 billion dollars, and the donation payout will come through his charity, the Howley Foundation. Per the foundation’s website, it focuses on funding education and workforce development through scholarships, post-graduate job training and school funding.