The Wistar Institute Celebrates Bold Science // Global Impact Campaign Success
Campaign Marks the Largest Amount Raised in Wistar’s History
The Wistar Institute celebrated the most successful fundraising campaign in its history with an evening reception at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Donors, board members and Wistar staff gathered in the soaring, Frank Gehry designed Williams Forum to mark the Bold Science // Global Impact Campaign’s $63 million raised.
Ron Caplan, campaign chair, kicked off the evening by acknowledging the importance of the researchers that fuel Wistar discoveries. “So much good happens at Wistar … and it’s because of the scientists at Wistar, who are the most dedicated group of people I have ever met. If you want to give a round of applause to anything, $63 million is one thing, but the scientists at Wistar are really special.”
Launched in 2022, the Campaign was designed to advance Wistar’s strategic plan and focused on three strategic pillars: biomedical research, education and training, and collaborations and partnerships. Funds raised during the Campaign supplement federal funding and will be used to purchase new equipment, expand research space, add new staff, and expand educational programs.
As part of the campaign, Wistar received a $30 million commitment – the largest in the Institute’s history. The gift enables Wistar to fund the design and construction of the Center for Advanced Therapeutics, a cornerstone of the Institute’s strategic plan.
Vice chair of the Wistar Board of Trustees Sue Dillon, Ph.D., expressed gratitude to attendees for their support of the campaign. “Thank you each of you for the very unique ways in which you’ve contributed to the Institute, and thank you all for helping us with this critical campaign and making it succeed.”
Wistar president and CEO Dr. Dario Altieri concluded the event by reminding attendees of the importance of philanthropic donations to the Institute. “What is the spirit of a capital campaign for a basic biomedical research institute? To me, the spirit of the campaign is a spirit of hope, a spirit of trust — a spirit of believing in a future that is not yet here. It is investing in hope for the medicines of the future, not just for ourselves, but for everybody.”