Butler University announced today that donors collectively contributed more than $60.2 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year, the largest total ever contributed in a single year in Butler’s history. The record-breaking total includes the significant $22.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. in support of several transformational Butler Gateway Project initiatives, as well as a $9 million grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation that will jumpstart Butler’s ambitious long-term vision for its Midtown Arts District. Philanthropic gifts also advanced other major strategic University priorities including Founder’s College, Butler Athletics, student scholarships, and faculty excellence. The historic outpouring of support was reached thanks to gifts from 13,406 donors, including 2,646 first-time contributors to the University.

“This record-breaking year is a powerful testament to the unwavering dedication of the entire Butler community—our alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends,” Jonathan Purvis, Vice President for University Advancement and Marketing, said. “This incredible investment in our mission directly fuels the major initiatives that will shape the future of Butler University, ensuring a transformational experience for our students and a lasting impact in our community. As we look ahead, we have ambitious plans to further elevate the Butler experience and impact, and the continued philanthropic partnership of the Butler community will be absolutely vital in bringing these bold visions to fruition.”

Among the year’s many philanthropic highlights were the 8,516 donors who contributed to the Butler Fund for Student Scholarship, Butler’s top funding priority. Donors also established 15 new endowed scholarships, representing significant philanthropic partnership in Butler’s efforts to put a Butler education within reach of promising students, regardless of financial background or circumstance. 

An anonymous $4.4 million gift announced in January established the first endowed faculty position in the College of Communication since the creation of the College in 2010. The gift also established an endowed scholarship for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Given in memory of two beloved late faculty members, Bill Ney ʼ58, MS ʼ67 and Ed Shaughnessy ʼ58, MA ʼ63, the gift is a testament to the enduring influence of Butler faculty in the lives of their students and in the broader community. The gift represents an important step forward in the University’s goal of increasing named endowed faculty positions, which develop and retain excellent faculty who are crucial in delivering Butler’s signature relationship-rich academic environment for our students.

Athletics donors stepped forward to support Butler student-athletes in a significant way this year. After The Butler Way Society was introduced last summer, 72 households stepped forward to join the new giving society, collectively committing nearly $7 million to a broad range of Athletics funds, including program-specific team Excellence Funds and the Athletics Capital Improvement Fund to support needed facility upgrades and renovations. Athletics donors contributed more than $4.1 million to the Bulldog Club, which provides support to all 22 athletics programs, including cheer and dance. 

Although the gift was officially documented and counted during a previous fiscal year, Athletics also publicly announced and celebrated in February a significant $12 million estate commitment from Trustee Rebecca Graham Paul ʼ70, MS ʼ75, whose gift is the largest documented estate commitment in University history and the largest gift ever to Butler Athletics. The majority of the gift will be used to create the Rebecca Graham Paul ’70, MS ’75 Endowed Fund for Women’s Athletics Excellence, which will provide support for priority initiatives within the University’s 12 Women’s Athletics programs, including the cheer and dance teams.

In April, the University held a ribbon-cutting celebration for the recently completed Marianne Glick and Mike Woods Founder’s College Commons, which will house Butler’s new two-year college welcoming its inaugural class of students in August. The successful launch of Founder’s College was made possible through the philanthropic gifts of more than 130 donors who have collectively contributed more than $4.4 million over the past several years. The creation of Founder’s College marks a major milestone in the University’s strategic efforts to expand access and create alternate pathways and on-ramps to a Butler degree.

During the past fiscal year, members of Butler’s giving societies continued to significantly advance institutional priorities through their loyal philanthropic partnership. In October, the Carillon Society welcomed 36 new inductees whose lifetime contributions to Butler have surpassed $100,000, underscoring a long-term commitment from Butler’s most loyal supporters. Members of the Fairview Heritage Society documented more than $6 million in new estate commitments, demonstrating a profound dedication to ensuring future generations of Butler students will thrive through their support of a wide array of programs with a particular emphasis on student scholarships. Furthermore, the Butler Giving Circle, with contributions from 56 shareholders, helped support a Fishers High School-led youth leadership conference, bringing 350 high school students to campus in February for a day of education and connection. These collective efforts, alongside a record-breaking Day of Giving that raised more than $682,000 (32 percent of which came from first-time donors) highlight Butler’s vibrant culture of philanthropy and the cumulative impact of the University’s donor community in the lives of Butler students and the broader community. 

Philanthropic gifts fuel our mission. The Office of University Advancement exists to match the Butler community’s philanthropic interests with University needs in support of our strategic direction. Make a gift today or learn more about Butler’s current giving priorities.