On February 23, 2023, NYU Stern was thrilled to be announcing a landmark gift of $53.6 million from alumna Anne E. Tasca (BS ’88). Her gift would represent three remarkable milestones for the School: the largest single gift in the School’s history; the largest total giving amount from a woman donor; and the largest total testamentary commitment ever received from a single donor by the School. This exciting news did not go unnoticed. Media headlines began pouring in, alumni took to social media to give a ‘thumbs’ up, faculty shared congratulations, and Stern Executive Board members applauded the news. In short, Ms. Tasca generated quite the buzz. 

“There is only one word to describe Anne’s generosity and that is ‘breathtaking,’” said Raghu Sundaram, Dean, NYU Stern. “We are deeply honored that she has chosen to make this truly exceptional gift to the Stern School. She is leaving a legacy that will provide generations of future Tasca Scholars access to the power of education and the ability to pursue it along with their dreams.”

Anne Tasca, a dual American and Italian citizen, was born in France, studied in Switzerland, attended high school at Sacred Heart, Tunbridge Wells, in England, and lived in many parts of Europe before moving to the United States in the 1970s, where she worked for the US Information Agency, contributing to the Voice of America. Ms. Tasca followed a non-traditional path, receiving a BS from Stern in her thirties while also working for Citibank. She then went on to pursue a master’s degree in international relations. Today, she leads the family’s real estate firm, Edilizia Rosazza SRL, in Rome, with her sister.

In her own words, Ms. Tasca shared why this type of gift is important to her

"Education goes beyond just being an important goal for bright young students—it is the bedrock of our society and the foundation of our future,” said Tasca. “I am thrilled to be providing talented students access to the extraordinary and life-changing opportunities that will come from an education at the Stern School, and that will enable them to become the shapers of tomorrow.” 

Stern’s Chair of the Executive Board held Anne up for being a role model

 “Anne is a role model who has elevated the standards around educational access to phenomenal heights,” said Andre J.L. Koo (MBA ’94), Chair of the Stern Executive Board. “We are enormously grateful for her vision, for her commitment, and for modeling so superbly the impact of what can be achieved through legacy giving.”

When fully realized, Ms. Tasca’s gift will go primarily towards funding student scholarships at the undergraduate and MBA levels with a focus especially on global study and immersive travel to foster learning through an international lens. The gift will also endow a faculty chair in the name of her father, economist and American diplomat, Henry J. Tasca.

In honor of Ms. Tasca and her unprecedented bequest, and independently of the many scholarships that will eventually be funded by her generous gift, NYU Stern will, in each year from the 2023-24 academic year, award four new scholarships in Ms. Tasca’s name, two each in the undergraduate and MBA programs. 

 “Anne Tasca’s generosity to her alma mater is simply extraordinary,” added Alison Mass (BS ’80, MBA ’81), former Chair of the Stern Executive Board. “Her magnificent gift means that she will directly transform the lives of so many promising students with her legacy of education.”

Photo: A compilation of news headlines and social media posts that promote Anne Tasca's gift

Artwork by Michael Hoeweler