Key Takeaways
- John Paulson gave $250 million to Hebrew University of Jerusalem, announced at the university's Board of Governors Gala on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
- The gift is the largest donation the university has ever received. With earlier gifts, Paulson's total support for Hebrew University is $296 million.
- Hebrew University's share of John Paulson's nonprofit giving since 2009 is at most 31.3% (computed: 296 / 944.5 = 31.3%).
- Hebrew University will name its Mount Scopus campus The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem.
John Paulson announced on Saturday, 17 October 2026, a $250 million gift to Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the largest donation the university has ever received. He made the announcement at the university's Board of Governors Gala.
The university's release says the gift will advance engineering, medicine, and trauma recovery. Together with earlier gifts, it brings Paulson's total support for Hebrew University to $296 million. Paulson said Israel "has astounded the world with its scientific and technological prowess," according to the release. Tamir Sheafer, the university's president, called the gift "a profound expression of belief in Israel's human capital," the release says.
Paulson started supporting the Israeli institution three years ago, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The Chronicle reports that this is his second donation to the university this year.
John Paulson's Share of Nonprofit Giving to Hebrew University Since 2009
The Chronicle tallies at least $944.5 million that Paulson has given to nonprofits since 2009, including the latest gift. The $296 million he has given Hebrew University is at most 31.3% of that total (computed: 296 / 944.5 = 31.3%). The $250 million gift alone is at most 26.5% of the same total (computed: 250 / 944.5 = 26.5%).
Because the $944.5 million is a minimum, 31.3% is a ceiling. A higher total would make each share smaller, so the figures above can only overstate the university's share.
How the $250 Million Gift Compares With Paulson's Harvard Gift
The Chronicle reports that Paulson's biggest gift to date is the $400 million he gave Harvard in 2015 to endow the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The Hebrew University gift is 62.5% of that amount (computed: 250 / 400 = 62.5%). The Chronicle also says Paulson earned an MBA at Harvard in 1980 before starting his hedge fund, Paulson and Company, in 1994.
Mount Scopus Campus Naming and the University's Founding Story
Hebrew University will name its historic Mount Scopus campus The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem. The naming was also reported by Times of Israel. The release says the cornerstone was laid on Mount Scopus in 1918, and that the university first opened its doors there in 1925.
What the Hebrew University Share Shows and Does Not Show
The 31.3% ratio measures how much of Paulson's giving to nonprofits since 2009 went to Hebrew University. It does not show whether the university is his largest recipient, because none of the three sources ranks his recipients. The Chronicle also names gifts to Harvard, New York University, and Central Park Conservancy.
The timing matters for reading the $296 million. Paulson started supporting the university three years ago. The Chronicle dates two earlier gifts: $27 million in 2023 and $19 million earlier in 2026. The sources give no full year-by-year breakdown of the $296 million.
Related WYDE coverage: Gies pledges $100 million in matching funds to namesake UI business school.
People Also Ask
How much has John Paulson given to Hebrew University?
John Paulson has given Hebrew University $296 million to date, including his $250 million gift announced on 17 October 2026. The university's release and the Chronicle of Philanthropy both report the $296 million total. The Chronicle dates two earlier gifts, $27 million in 2023 and $19 million earlier in 2026, but the sources give no full year-by-year breakdown.
What share of John Paulson's nonprofit giving went to Hebrew University?
John Paulson's $296 million to Hebrew University is at most 31.3% of the at least $944.5 million he has given to nonprofits since 2009, according to a Chronicle of Philanthropy tally. The tally is a minimum, so 31.3% is a ceiling. The computed share is 296 divided by 944.5, which rounds to 31.3%.
Has John Paulson appeared on the Philanthropy 50 list?
John Paulson has appeared four times in the past 17 years on the Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual Philanthropy 50 list of the biggest donors, according to the Chronicle. The Chronicle reports that his biggest gift is the $400 million he gave Harvard in 2015.
Which Hebrew University campus will carry the Paulson name?
Hebrew University will name its Mount Scopus campus The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem. The university says the cornerstone of the university was laid on Mount Scopus in 1918, and that the university formally opened its doors there in 1925.
Sources: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Times of Israel, and Chronicle of Philanthropy.