Indianapolis, Ind. – On August 2 at Conclave 2026 in New Orleans, La., Past Grand Prytanis Mike J. McEvilly proudly announced Tau Kappa Epsilon’s most ambitious fundraising initiative to date.
Tau Kappa Epsilon is committed to raising $33 million over the next 15 years in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The historic pledge will support the Immunology Department on the fifth floor of the Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center, marking the largest philanthropic commitment by a men’s fraternity. Through this initiative, TKE will further advance the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and honor the legacy of fellow Frater Danny Thomas by funding the fight to end childhood cancer.
This historic pledge comes on the heels of a 2019 commitment to raise $10 million for St. Jude over 10 years – a goal the Fraternity surpassed three years ahead of schedule.
Tau Kappa Epsilon’s deep-rooted partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital traces back to the hospital’s founder, Danny Thomas, a member of the Fraternity’s Gamma-Nu Chapter at the University of Toledo. In 1962, Frater Thomas established St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee, with a mission to advance research and treatment for life-threatening childhood diseases. The partnership with TKE formally began in 1978, when Frater Thomas called on his fellow Fraters to support his vision that “no child should die in the dawn of life.”
“Our purpose remains the same. Tau Kappa Epsilon is committed to supporting St. Jude’s efforts to research, treat and defeat childhood cancers with low survival rates. This commitment honors the legacy of our Frater Danny Thomas,” McEvilly said. “Let’s continue creating hope for those individuals fighting for their lives.”
Since 2011, Tau Kappa Epsilon has completed three major fundraising pledges in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital totaling $13.6 million. Each pledge was fulfilled ahead of schedule, reflecting the continued generosity and commitment of Fraters and alumni across the Fraternity. Together, these successful campaigns have established a strong foundation for TKE’s ongoing partnership with St. Jude.
