With $11 million in lead contributions, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has announced it will launch the Public Policy Initiative to develop a physical presence in Washington, D.C. and engage in nonpartisan research. The program aims to blend business and public policy studies to enhance the school's current offerings, advance discussions between the two communities and further establish the department as a leader.

Alumni Marc J. Rowan, Marc A. Spilker, and Diane Isaacs Spilker made generous contributions that helped bring this vision to life. Rowan anticipates this new program will have positive impacts for both the university and the global business community as a whole.

"The Wharton Public Policy Initiative will greatly strengthen Penn's presence in our nation's Capital, and provide extraordinary opportunities and experiences for our faculty and students," said Penn president Amy Gutmann. "Its very positive effects will also be felt by government, industry and the business community at large."

Institutions that receive funds for important endeavors may find solutions such as a fundraising database helpful to track incoming contributions and account for totals throughout the initiative.