The Campus Review
September 9, 2026
Temple University has ended a planned $55 million donation from alumnus Christopher Barnett after a federal investigation involving his company, ABA Centers of America. University officials confirmed that the Temple University $55 million gift agreement has been terminated by mutual consent.
Barnett has also resigned from the Temple University Board of Trustees. The development follows reports that federal authorities are examining the healthcare provider’s billing and financial practices.
According to Temple officials, the institution had not received any payments toward the multi-year pledge before the cancellation. University leadership moved quickly this week to update the campus community, restore the traditional name of the College of Public Health, and clarify the university’s fiscal outlook.
What Happened to the Temple University $55 Million Gift?
The table below outlines the core facts, institutional actions, and public statements concerning the announcement.
| Category | Official Detail | Source / Attribution |
| Donor Entity | Christopher M. Barnett (Temple Alumnus, Class of 2010) | University announcement |
| Pledge Scale | Temple University $55 million gift (Announced October 2025) | Temple University records |
| Disbursed Amount | $0 received; no scheduled installments were due yet | Statement by President John Fry |
| Academic Division | Temple University College of Public Health | Naming agreement rescinded |
| Corporate Scope | ABA Centers of America (Autism therapy network) | Healthcare organization records |
| Inquiry Status | Federal investigation into healthcare billing and financial records | Federal court and warrant records |
| Donor Response | Denies all allegations | Communicated through university statement |
| Annual Fundraising | $159 million raised in Fiscal Year 2026 | Temple University official total |
Why Barnett Pledged $55 Million to Temple
In October 2025, Temple University publicized what was recognised as the largest donation in Temple University history. Christopher Barnett, a 2010 graduate who built a commercial portfolio in applied behavior analysis and healthcare management, pledged $55 million to endow health education programs.
The agreement outlined three primary operational objectives:
- Division Endowment: The university planned to rename the College of Public Health the Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health.
- Academic Chairs: A portion of the pledge was designated to support endowed faculty chairs and educational initiatives.
- Community Clinical Programs: The funds were intended to expand community clinics and autism service training across North Philadelphia.
The pledge was structured as a multi-year commitment, and no funds had entered Temple’s accounts before the agreement ended. Consequently, university operational accounts did not rely on cash transfers from this commitment.
Why the Temple University Gift Terminated
Temple made the decision after reports that federal authorities were investigating ABA Centers of America and Christopher Barnett.
Federal search warrant documents show that investigators are reviewing business operations and financial records at the enterprise.
According to warrant affidavits and investigative records reported in legal filings:
- Billing Practices Under Scrutiny: Investigators are looking into whether company employees were encouraged to increase therapy hours and insurance claims.
- Financial Review: Federal authorities are reviewing transactions related to corporate accounts, including expenditures on luxury transportation assets and residential lease agreements.
- Statutory Focus: The inquiry addresses potential violations involving wire fraud and financial reporting provisions under federal law.
Temple leadership stated that it learned about these allegations in recent days. Amid growing public attention over the Temple University donor investigation, both sides agreed that ending the commitment was the best decision.
What Changes for Campus Programs?
The resolution of the Christopher Barnett Temple University pledge brings immediate procedural updates across the campus:
- Reversion of School Branding: Temple will retain the name Temple University College of Public Health. The planned donor naming will not move forward.
- Current Budget Protection: Since Temple had not received any money from the gift, the university said its course schedules, student aid, and academic programs will not be affected.
- Status of Prior Donations: Barnett had previously donated to Temple, including funds for an autism research lab and campus food pantry programs. The current announcement specifically addresses the pending $55 million endowment agreement announced in 2025.
Impact of the Ended $55 Million Gift on Temple
A central question for university stakeholders is whether terminating the agreement creates a structural deficit in university advancement goals. Temple administrators addressed this issue directly.
President Fry confirmed that Temple raised $159 million in fiscal year 2026, marking the most successful fundraising year in university history. Critically, the university reached that milestone even after removing the Barnett pledge from its fundraising totals.
“This action does not diminish the philanthropic momentum and strength of Temple,” Fry stated. “Our commitment to Temple’s mission of providing our students with an excellent education remains steadfast, and we look forward to continuing this important work together.”
End Note
The decision to dissolve the Temple University $55 million gift reflects a swift institutional response to preserve public confidence. By acknowledging the ABA Centers of America investigation and moving cooperatively to end the agreement, Temple leadership acted decisively.
Although the College of Public Health will move forward without the pledge, the university’s existing financial position allows student education, faculty research, and community health services to continue without disruption.
