Fiscal Year 2020/2021
Benjamin Franklin Society Annual Report
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of more than 8,800 members of the Benjamin Franklin Society, Penn is beginning an exciting new chapter. During the final year of The Power of Penn Campaign, you helped us reach new heights. Record-setting membership in this leadership giving society signals your belief in Penn’s ability to change lives through education and pioneer advances that will help us confront the challenges of the 21st century.
I am deeply grateful for your leadership support, which ensures that each new generation of Penn students will set foot on campus with the resources to thrive and the opportunities to change the world. You—our loyal alumni, parents, students, and friends—have shown your lasting commitment to philanthropy that grows inclusion, sparks innovation, and inspires impact.
Thanks to your generosity, a Penn education is accessible to more students than ever before. You have also provided critical funds that enable us to respond to immediate needs thanks to the flexibility of your unrestricted giving. As we write the next page of Penn’s story, you have my heartfelt gratitude for your continued partnership and your ongoing dedication to our campus community.
With deep appreciation,
Amy Gutmann
President
University of Pennsylvania
BFS Honor Roll 2020-2021
Thank you for contributing to the success of The Power of Penn Campaign through your generosity and through your engagement with the Benjamin Franklin Society. The unrestricted leadership support of our dedicated community of alumni, parents, and friends allows us to pursue our highest priorities and further strengthen the power of a Penn education. Again, my sincere thanks for your support.
– John H. Zeller
Senior Vice President,
Development and Alumni Relations
Quick Facts About BFS
- Benjamin Franklin Society members live in 48 U.S. states, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
- Benjamin Franklin Society members live in 54 different countries around the world.
- In the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, we welcomed 1,167 new Benjamin Franklin Society members!
- In the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, the Benjamin Franklin Society boasts a total of 8,837 members.
- In its inaugural year of 1954-1955, the Benjamin Franklin Society consisted of 89 members, each making gifts of $1,000 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Benjamin Franklin Society?
The Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) is the University of Pennsylvania’s leadership unrestricted annual giving society. BFS members embody Benjamin Franklin’s example of civic-minded scholars who give back to the institutions that nourished them. With their unrestricted leadership support, Penn can continue to enrich the lives of new generations of students as well as advance knowledge to serve humanity.
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Why annual giving?
Unrestricted annual gifts are vital to Penn’s continued success as a world class institution of education and research. Annual gifts provide resources for immediate use by schools and centers. As opposed to capital gifts and endowment funds, these resources are current income to take care of immediate priorities.
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How much do I have to give?
BFS membership has four levels of support, based on a total of gifts received to qualifying funds in a single fiscal year:
Ambassador: $25,000 and above
Founder: $10,000—$24,999
Fellow: $5,000—$9,999
Associate: $2,500—$4,999(Some schools offer introductory Associate levels for recent graduates.)
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What does Fiscal Year mean?
The University’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
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Do company matching gifts count?
Yes! Many companies sponsor programs that provide matching gifts to employees’ charitable contributions. These company matches count toward BFS membership. Click here to see if your employer is eligible.
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Can I make a gift of securities?
Yes! In some cases, there are tax advantages for individuals who donate through gifts of stock. Individuals are advised to consult with their tax consultant.
If you are interested in making a gift of stock, please contact:
Securities Gifts Office
University of Pennsylvania
2929 Walnut Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19104-5099
stockgifts@lists.upenn.edu
+1.215.898.7254 -
How many donors make BFS gifts?
In Fiscal Year 2021, 8,837 University donors joined or renewed their membership in the Benjamin Franklin Society.
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What priorities does BFS giving support?
The Benjamin Franklin Society recognizes donors to annual funds at all of the University’s 12 schools and 6 centers. Donors can make contributions to multiple schools and centers as part of their BFS giving.
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How old is the Benjamin Franklin Society?
The Benjamin Franklin Society was founded in 1955 as the Benjamin Franklin Associates and has recognized the University of Pennsylvania’s most generous donors for over 65 years.
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Are there other University-wide giving societies at Penn?
Penn’s other university-wide giving society, the Charles Custis Harrison Society, recognizes the generosity of those donors who have named the University of Pennsylvania as a beneficiary in their will, living trust, retirement plan, or life insurance policy, or who have set up a life income gift that benefits Penn in the future. For more information on the Harrison Society, contact the Office of Gift Planning at 1-215-898-6171 or giftplan@dev.upenn.edu
Questions? Contact us at bfs@lists.upenn.edu or (215) 898-3639
