Historic Announcement from St. Joseph's Prep

$130 Million Project Will Complete Jesuits' Vision for North Philadelphia Campus

Sixty years after the Jesuits rebuilt St. Joseph’s Prep in North Philadelphia, the school is bringing their long-held vision to fruition through an ambitious campus transformation—made possible by the generosity of the Prep community and led by a historic gift from Lorie and Nick Howley ’70.

The Forever the Prep Campaign, a $130 million initiative, has been powerfully advanced by a $74 million commitment from the Howleys and The Howley Foundation. This landmark gift will support the transformation of the Prep’s North Philadelphia campus, expand the Howley Scholars Program, and significantly strengthen the school’s endowment. With this latest commitment, the Howleys’ total investment in St. Joseph’s Prep reaches $80 million.

Forever the Prep is an investment in sustaining and advancing the school’s 175-year mission of forming young men through a rigorous Jesuit education. Central to the campaign is a comprehensive campus plan that reimagines the Prep’s historic home—where it has stood since 1866—as a modern, mission-driven environment for learning, growth, and community.

The campaign will result in a transformative renewal of the Prep’s urban campus, including the development of the Howley Campus and Howley Athletic Complex. These spaces will feature purpose-built academic, athletic, spiritual, and community areas designed to serve students for generations to come.

A key priority of the campaign is continued investment in the school’s endowment, which has grown steadily over the past decade and now stands at $54 million. The Howleys’ gift will also expand the Howley Scholars Program, ultimately providing full-tuition scholarships for 80 students annually—20 in each grade. These scholars are high-achieving young men who would not otherwise have access to a Prep education. Beyond their financial support, Nick, Lorie, and their daughter Meg remain deeply engaged in the program, following students’ progress and celebrating their achievements.

“This gift from Lorie, Nick, and The Howley Foundation helps fulfill the dream the Jesuits had for St. Joseph’s Prep when they chose to rebuild in North Philadelphia sixty years ago,” said President John Marinacci. “Our predecessors envisioned a future for our institution, our mission, and our campus. Today, the Howleys’ extraordinary generosity brings that vision closer to reality.”

“Over the past decade, Lorie and I have seen firsthand the impact our support has had on the young men of the Prep and the trajectory of their futures,” said Nick Howley. “Through my service as a Trustee, I have developed deep confidence in the school’s leadership and its vision for the future—one that is truly worthy of our continued investment in its mission.”

This effort reflects the Prep’s enduring commitment to its North Philadelphia home and its deep connection to the surrounding community—a relationship reaffirmed when the school chose to rebuild on its current site following the devastating fire of 1966. Founded in 1851, St. Joseph’s Prep serves a diverse student body drawn from more than 175 zip codes across the Delaware Valley and has long been known for forming leaders who make a meaningful impact locally and around the world.

“Lorie and Nick are extraordinary in their commitment to education in Philadelphia and beyond,” said Betsy Courtney, Vice President for Advancement. “Their investment in the future of St. Joseph’s Prep reflects the profound value our alumni place on their Catholic, Jesuit education and its lasting impact.”

The campaign has already attracted strong early support from alumni, parents, and friends who share a belief in the Prep’s vision for the future. [For a full list of early investors, click here.]

“On behalf of everyone at St. Joseph’s Prep, I cannot begin to express how grateful we are to Lorie, Nick, and The Howley Foundation,” Marinacci added. “It is rare to witness a defining moment in an institution’s history as it unfolds. This transformational gift is one of those moments—one that will shape the future of the Prep for generations to come.”