New School of Public Health receives largest donation in WashU history

June 20, 2026 - 03:32

The newly established School of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis has received a historic $200 million gift from the Bursky Family Foundation. Announced in May, the donation is the largest single gift in the university's history.

Andrew and Jane Bursky, who lead the foundation, made the contribution to support the school's mission of addressing critical public health challenges. The funds will be used to expand research initiatives, recruit top faculty, and develop programs focused on health equity and disease prevention.

The school, which was recently launched to tackle pressing issues like chronic disease and access to care, will now be named the Bursky School of Public Health. University officials said the gift will accelerate efforts to train the next generation of public health leaders and drive community-based solutions.

Andrew Bursky is a WashU alumnus and managing partner of a private investment firm. He and his wife have been longtime supporters of the university, with previous donations supporting medical research and the arts. The couple said they hope the gift will create lasting change in the St. Louis region and beyond.

The donation underscores a growing trend of major philanthropic investments in public health education, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for stronger health systems. WashU plans to break ground on a new building for the school within the next two years.