The Unlikely Philanthropist: Bill Conway’s Mission to Transform Nursing Education
Bill Conway, the 75-year-old co-founder of the Carlyle Group, didn’t set out to make a transformative impact on the nursing profession. However, in 2011, during a philanthropic campaign to give away $1 billion to create jobs for the poor, Conway received around 2,500 suggestions from the public. Among these, the idea of supporting bachelor’s degree nursing programs resonated deeply with him and his late wife, Joanne Barkett Conway. The couple realized that investing in nursing education could empower individuals to secure stable jobs, support their families, and contribute to the broader healthcare system. This marked the beginning of a decade-long commitment to nursing education, a cause that has become central to Conway’s philanthropic legacy.
A Neglected Cause: The Lack of Philanthropic Support for Nursing
Despite the critical role nurses play in healthcare, nursing education and professionals have historically received minimal attention from wealthy donors. According to a report from the American Nurses Foundation, private giving to nursing accounts for just one cent of every dollar donated to healthcare. This lack of support is surprising, given the high demand for nurses and the challenges nursing schools face in expanding their programs. While a few notable donors, such as Leonard Lauder and Mark and Robyn Jones, have made significant contributions to nursing education, Conway’s commitment stands out for its scale and breadth. To date, he has donated $325.6 million to 22 nursing schools, with plans to extend his efforts nationwide.
Addressing the Faculty Shortage: A Key Challenge in Nursing Education
America’s nursing shortage is often misunderstood. While there is no shortage of people wanting to become nurses, nursing schools are unable to accommodate all qualified applicants due to a lack of faculty, classrooms, and lab spaces. In 2022 alone, approximately 78,000 qualified applicants were turned away from U.S. nursing schools, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The Problem is further compounded by the difficulty of attracting and retaining nursing faculty. Many nurses choose lucrative clinical practice over teaching roles, and those who do pursue academic careers often enter the profession later in life, limiting their time as educators. Conway’s philanthropy has directly addressed this issue by funding faculty recruitment, building expansions, and scholarships for advanced nursing degrees, enabling schools to accept more students and produce thousands of new nurses.
A Thoughtful Approach to Giving: Conway’s Journey in Nursing Philanthropy
When Conway and his wife first decided to support nursing education, they began by learning about the profession and its challenges. Working with the Bedford Falls Foundation, led by Elizabeth Carrott Minnigh, Conway adopted a hands-on approach to philanthropy. He visits nursing schools, meets with deans, and reviews data on graduation rates and licensure outcomes to ensure his investments are effective. This targeted approach has led to transformative gifts, such as the $64 million donated to Catholic University’s Conway School of Nursing, which has expanded scholarships, funded a new building, and supported graduate programs. Similarly, Conway has donated nearly $50 million to the University of Virginia’s nursing school to expand scholarships and foster the next generation of nursing educators.
Making a Lasting Impact: The Ripple Effect of Conway’s Philanthropy
Over the past decade, Conway’s donations have already made a significant difference. His support has enabled over 7,000 nurses to enter the workforce, many of whom graduated debt-free due to his scholarships. By addressing systemic challenges such as faculty shortages and infrastructure limitations, Conway’s efforts have helped nursing schools expand their capacity and improve the quality of education. His commitment to pre-licensure programs, in particular, stands out as rare among wealthy donors, who often focus on advanced practice nursing. Conway’s philosophy of customized, partnership-based giving has allowed him to tailor his support to the unique needs of each institution, ensuring long-term success and sustainability.
A Vision for the Future: Expanding Conway’s Mission Nationwide
Conway is only a third of the way toward his $1 billion goal, and he remains committed to continuing his mission. He plans to expand his efforts nationwide, building on the successes he has achieved in the Eastern and mid-Atlantic regions. Conway’s vision extends beyond his lifetime, as he has expressed his intention to leave most of his philanthropic legacy to nursing education. By addressing the root causes of the nursing shortage—faculty shortages, limited resources, and student debt—Conway’s efforts have the potential to create a lasting impact on healthcare. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of thoughtful, targeted philanthropy and the importance of investing in the backbone of healthcare: nurses.
