Hearts On Fire-The Campaign for St. John's

To my knowledge, the bulk over this gift goes towards the new facility, but most major donors also support scholarships in their giving.

The D'Angelo donation was referenced because campaigns include recent donations. The large Janetschek and Riley gifts bumped the goal to $400 million.
 
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Beasts of the East said:
To my knowledge, the bulk over this gift goes towards the new facility, but most major donors also support scholarships in their giving.

The D'Angelo donation was referenced because campaigns include recent donations. The large Janetschek and Riley gifts bumped the goal to $400 million.
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Beast, I get that recent donations count but what I was surprised at was that it said $251M of the $400M was already raised and only now in the "public phase". Even with the recent donations this struck me as a lot given its more than halfway to goal before campaign. We're lot of these other $ from corporations ? Can't all be from other big anonymous donors and the usual smaller alum donors right?
 
RedStormNC said:
Beast, I get that recent donations count but what I was surprised at was that it said $251M of the $400M was already raised and only now in the "public phase". Even with the recent donations this struck me as a lot given its more than halfway to goal before campaign. We're lot of these other $ from corporations ? Can't all be from other big anonymous donors and the usual smaller alum donors right?
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I believe that it is standard practice in academic fundraising to announce a campaign counting money already donated over a defined period of time. I don't remember when our last campaign was.

I can tell you that Villanova had a successful $300 mm campaign in 2007 or 2008, then a $600 mm campaign in 2014 and just initiated a $1.2 billion campaign a few weeks ago.

Everything good that a university can do in terms of capital improvements and scholarships happens as a result of donations. JSJ could tell you how much we receive in corporate donations but I don't believe it's a huge number.

I'm also pretty sure that at this point it doesn't include NIL. If we go to a rev share model the university will bring most of NIL in house and donations can fund it.

It's important to note that most of our big university donors also support NIL in a big way. Individual support of NIL in the present model is not tax deductible for the most part. Storm marketing has created a charitable arm where individuals can make a tax deductible donation to Storm Charitable where at least 70% will go to a designated charity and 30% to athletes.

To give you an idea of where the hearts of our largest donors are, I can tell you that they don't beat their chest and bring attention to themselves. A couple of years ago I told WJ I had difficulty supporting NIL because it wasn't considered a tax deductible charitable gift. His response gave me pause to consider. "Isn't it more charitable to give when you can't make it tax deductible?"

For our fans who are enjoying the resurgence of SJU basketball, with rev share coming full force, and the Pitino era certainly finite, it will take a successful giving campaign with broader participation than a handful of mega donors to sustain our program success.

Father Shanley spoke candidly about how many schools, Providence included, have attained what he called the "Holy grail" of student body that university leadership covets - a large percentage of students paying full price tuition. He remarked that the Vincentian mission at St. John's, which he has grown to love, has no students paying full tuition.

Scholarship has not only provided a means for students from low income families to receive a high quality Catholic education (40% of our student body is Pell grant eligible) but also a way to attract some of the brightest students to St. Johns.

Not one person who spoke at the campaign kickoff was born with a silver spoon in their mouths. All identify with the dash out of weekday classes at 2:20 pm (m-w-f) and do straight to pt jobs, then work weekends. Just about everyone with a St. John's degree who has had tremendous career success attained their success by sometimes being the brightest but always being the hardest working at their jobs.

One thing is very clear. The trajectory of STJ’s is markedly upwards - for the university at large, and for our students and alums. But it all starts with charitable donations so that future grads will stand on our shoulders to gain success - donations expressed with a debt of gratitude.
 

St. John’s University Receives Largest Philanthropic Gift in University History​

William J. Janetschek directs approximately $25 million dollar donation towards new basketball practice facility and $7.5 million toward student scholarships​




QUEENS, N.Y. (May 5, 2025)- St. John’s University announced that Chair of the Board of Trustees William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, retired Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., already a generous and longtime University benefactor, has gifted a $32.5 million donation—the largest single financial commitment in St. John’s 155-year history.

This gift launches the construction of a new, cutting-edge, basketball practice facility at the Queens, NY, campus for the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. Mr. Janetschek’s support directs approximately $25 million toward the construction of the basketball practice facility and $7.5 million toward student scholarships.

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, stated: “The generous contributions made by loyal alumni and by Board Chair Bill Janetschek exceed any monetary measure. Bill’s transformative gift will significantly enhance St. John’s basketball programs and provide student-athletes with unparalleled opportunities to excel both on and off the court.”

The new basketball facility will feature:

  • Modern Training Equipment: State-of-the-art fitness, strength, and training equipment to support athletes’ physical and skill development.
  • Hydro-Therapy Pools
  • Advanced Technology: High-tech amenities, including team dining facilities, a lounge, video analysis tools, and interactive training modules.
  • Spacious Courts: Multiple basketball courts designed to host practices and training sessions.
  • Community Spaces: Areas for community engagement, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among students, employees, and the community.
Mr. Janetschek, a longtime supporter of St. John’s educational and athletic initiatives, expressed his excitement about the project: “I believe in the power of sports to shape young minds and build strong communities. This facility will elevate St. John’s basketball program and inspire students to pursue and achieve their dreams with passion and dedication.”

Rick Pitino, St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, shared his gratitude: “We are incredibly grateful to Bill Janetschek for his visionary support. His donation will have a lasting impact on our program and our players. We look forward to seeing our students thrive in this exceptional new environment.”

Construction of the basketball facility is scheduled to begin in the coming months, with an anticipated completion date in 2027. The University invites all stakeholders to join in celebrating this milestone and supporting the continued growth of its athletic programs.

“The new basketball practice facility will be a game-changer for the women’s basketball program,” Head Coach Joe Tartamella said. “The facility will provide our student athletes with state-of-the-art resources to further develop their skills and elevate their performance. We are grateful to Bill Janetschek for his gift and his support of St John’s athletics.”

Naming opportunities are available that allow major gift donors a tangible benefit to support St. John’s Basketball and offers a variety of ways donors can leave a legacy in the new building.

The transformative gift helps launch HEARTS ON FIRE, a $400-million, comprehensive campaign—the most ambitious in the University’s history—dedicated to strengthening a St. John’s education through visionary investments in its students, faculty, academics, and campus facilities. The campaign will fuel a bold, transformative investment in the future of capital improvements at the University.

Having worked full-time while completing his education, Mr. Janetschek prioritizes and values providing financial opportunities to young people and families burdened by hardship. Recognizing the special nature of Catholic education, he has quietly sponsored tuition costs for primary, secondary, and college students. Mr. Janetschek supports various scholarship programs to advance Catholic education and allow young people to attend Catholic high schools and colleges.

He is a charter member of the 1870 Circle of the Founders Society which recognizes those who give $5 million or more to St. John’s. Additionally, he serves as a guest lecturer and partner in The Executive-in-Residence Program, a unique feature of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business that provides undergraduate and graduate students in-school opportunities to engage in real-world business consulting with actual business and non-profit organizations. In 2024, Century Hall, one of the Queens campus’s three inaugural residence halls that opened in 1999, was renamed Janetschek Hall. The name change was enacted through a gift from Mr. Janetschek to honor his brother, Robert Janetschek ’85GP.

The Campaign for St. John's University

The goals of the HEARTS ON FIRE campaign are to:


  • Grow the St. John’s endowment to strengthen the University’s financial health, advance the margin of excellence, and open doors of opportunity.
  • Undertake urgent capital projects, from reimagining historic academic buildings to converting Taffner Field House to benefit all current and future students.
  • Realize far-reaching, Strategic Plan priorities including teaching excellence and academic innovation, the student experience, wraparound support services, research, and more.

For more information, visit HEARTS ON FIRE.
 
JSJ and Beast, when did Bill Janetshek get more involved ? Was it after Fr Harrington left ? Also do Bill Janetshek and Mike Repole get along?

Thank you
 
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