Jeff Thomasson, founder of Oxford Financial Advisors, donated $100 million to Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business to support its graduate education programs. The gift, announced last week, is the largest individual donation in the university’s history and will also benefit the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Thomasson and his wife Cheryl have contributed more than $111 million to the school in total, leading to the naming of the Kelley School’s graduate division after Thomasson, according to fortune.com.
Thomasson earned his MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 1981, specializing in investments and taxation. He founded Oxford Financial Advisors, a wealth management firm now managing over $38 billion in assets, based on a master’s essay he wrote during his studies. The firm has become a top-ranked registered investment advisor, and Thomasson credited the Kelley MBA program for laying the foundation of his career. He stated that the donation is a way to give back and inspire others to invest in future generations, fortune.com reported.
This donation highlights the growing trend of successful alumni contributing to their alma maters to support education and philanthropy. Thomasson’s $100 million gift stands out as one of the largest individual contributions to a business school, reflecting the increasing importance of private funding in higher education. Comparable large donations have helped universities enhance their programs and facilities, positioning Indiana University to strengthen its graduate education and philanthropic initiatives, according to fortune.com.
The Indiana University Board of Trustees has approved naming the Kelley School’s graduate division after Jeff Thomasson. This recognition formalizes the impact of the Thomassons’ philanthropy, which now totals over $111 million. The gift was publicly announced last week, marking a significant milestone for the university’s fundraising efforts, fortune.com confirmed.