$80 million in two new gifts to college from Harold and Betsy Katz and Louise Strauss

Philadelphia’s philanthropic community is celebrating two unprecedented commitments that together are reshaping the future of Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

The school, long dedicated to opening doors for first-generation and underserved students, has received two historic $40 million gifts—one from Harold and Betsy Katz, and another from Louise Strauss.

Each represents the largest single gift in Harcum’s 109-year history, and together they signal a transformative moment for the small, independent institution.

For Harold and Betsy Katz, whose civic leadership and philanthropy have touched many corners of the region, the pledge underscores their belief in education as a pathway to opportunity.

Harold Katz, best known as the founder of Nutrisystem and former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, and his wife Betsy are directing their support toward scholarships, student services, and campus improvements.

Their gift will widen access to education, modernize facilities, and strengthen advising, career services, and mental health resources—all critical supports for helping students persist and graduate prepared for meaningful careers.

Equally powerful is the legacy of Louise Strauss, a longtime trustee and devoted supporter of Harcum, who designated $40 million to the school. During her lifetime, Strauss had already endowed two scholarship funds in memory of her parents, now establishing the Strauss Family Fund, which will both expand scholarships and advance capital improvements.

Her generosity not only cements her enduring connection to the college but also positions Harcum as a national outlier at a time when only a fraction of higher education philanthropy flows to small community-rooted colleges.

For Harcum, which began as a women’s college in 1915 and now serves more than 1,200 students, the dual commitments are nothing short of transformational.

They arrive at a moment when many independent schools face budget constraints and demographic pressures, and they ensure that Harcum can stabilize, grow, and invest in its future.

More importantly, they reflect a philosophy of philanthropy that sees profound value in supporting institutions where every dollar directly impacts students and their families.

College leaders emphasize that the ripple effects will be both immediate and enduring: hundreds of students gaining access to scholarships each year, facilities upgraded to meet today’s standards and expanded support services designed to foster success. In a landscape where major gifts to elite universities often dominate headlines, these twin commitments highlight how strategic generosity at a smaller college can alter lives, uplift communities, and set a powerful example of educational access as a cornerstone of giving.