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Person

Anica Donnan Rawnsley

Nationality:

American
Born:

1929
Occupation:

Educator and Philanthropists

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Anica Donnan Rawnsley was a retired elementary school teacher who died in 2023 at the age of 94. She was the last remaining member of her immediate family  1 and left large bequests of over $50 million each to local educational institutions. 2

Background

Anica Donnan Rawnsley was born in 1929 and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her parents were John Hannay and Anica Chambers Donnan. Her stepfather was H. Gilmore Schmidt. 1

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, and a master’s degree in education from Bank Street College of Education in New York. 2

In 1964, she married Herbert H. Rawnsley, a physician. They lived in Washington, Pennsylvania throughout their married life. Herbert died in 2004. 3 Anica died in August 2023 at the age of 94. 1

Career

Anica Donnan Rawnsley was an elementary school teacher in the Philadelphia school system. She was the president of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Easter Seal Society and a member of the State Board of Directors. She was a director of the American Cancer Society, president of the Friends of the Citizen’s Library Board, and president of the Washington County Medical Auxiliary. 1  4

Rawnsley was elected a member of the board of trustees for Washington and Jefferson College in 1975. She was its first female trustee. In 2003, she was awarded an honorary doctor of public service degree. 5 Rawnsley was also a member of the board of trustees for Goucher College for 16 years. 2

Philanthropy

Anica Rawnsley was listed number 39 in the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy 50 in 2024 and number 40 in 2023. The Philanthropy 50 lists America’s biggest donors each year. 2

Rawnsley bequeathed $50 million to Washington and Jefferson College located in Washington, Pennsylvania for scholarships in 2023. 2 This was the largest donation the college had received in its 242-year history and one of the largest donations ever to a liberal arts college in the country. Rawnsley never attended the college, since it was all-male until 1970. However, her father, stepfather, two grandfathers, and two uncles attended. The donation was used to set up a scholarship fund bearing her name for need-based financial aid to local students. 5  4 Scholarships will start being awarded in Fall 2026. 6

In 2024, Rawnsley bequeathed $55 million to Goucher College. 2 This was the largest bequest in the college’s 140-year history. Rawnsley was a 1951 graduate of Goucher College and a trustee for 16 years. 7 Her gift to the college will be added to the Goucher endowment to support student scholarships. 8

Rawnsley was also a donor to the Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) in Pennsylvania and its various causes, including the Mother’s Fund which focused on disadvantaged women and children, the Arts Fund to support local art and cultural projects, and the Acorn Fund for broader community support. 9 She was listed on its Family of Founders donor recognition society which made operational gifts to the WCCF during its earliest years. 10 Since 1995, the WCCF has awarded over $35.6 million in grants to local causes and has $59 million in total assets. 11

As part of her legacy, Rawnsley created a perpetual fund at the WCCF named the Anica D. Rawnsley Scholarship Fund with an initial grant of $5 million. The fund will provide up to $120,000 to students working on a bachelor’s degree and up to $80,000 to post-secondary students. 9

References

  1. “Anica Donnan Rawnsley.” Observer Reporter. August 25, 2023. Accessed October 12, 2025. https://cs.observer-reporter.com/obituaries/2023/aug/25/anica-donnan-rawnsley/
  2. Maria Di Mento. “Anica Donnan Rawnsley.” The Chronicle of Philanthropy – Philanthropy 50. March 4, 2025. Accessed October 12, 2025. https://www.philanthropy.com/article/the-philanthropy-50/#id=details_1541_2024
  3. “Dr. Herbert H. Rawnsley.” Legacy. February 4, 2004. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/herbert-rawnsley-obituary?id=27674870
  4. “Washington & Jefferson College Announces $50 Million Gift to Establish Endowed Scholarship Fund for Regional Students with Financial Need.” Washington & Jefferson College. October 13, 2023. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.washjeff.edu/washington-jefferson-college-announces-50-million-gift-to-establish-endowed-scholarship-fund-for-regional-students-with-financial-need/
  5. Michael T. Nietzel. “Three Private Colleges Each Receive Record-Breaking $50 Million Gifts for Student Scholarships.” Forbes. October 16, 2023. Accessed October 12, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2023/10/16/three-private-colleges-each-receive-record-breaking-50-million-gifts-for-student-scholarships/
  6. “Giving back to students in Washington County.” Washington & Jefferson College. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.washjeff.edu/future-students/scholarships/anica-donnan-rawnsley-scholarship/
  7. “Goucher College Announces $55 Million Bequest: Largest Gift in College’s History.” Goucher College. April 17, 2024. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.goucher.edu/news/largest-gift-in-college-history
  8. Michael T. Nietzel. “Alums Make Historic Donations To Goucher College, University of Utah.” Forbes. April 21, 2025. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2025/04/21/alums-make-historic-donations-to-goucher-college-university-of-utah/
  9. Betsie Trew. “Helping the Students in the Middle.” WCCF. June 28, 2024. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.wccf.net/blog/helping-the-students-in-the-middle
  10. “Family of Founders.” WCCF. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.wccf.net/explore-ways-to-give/giving-societies/family-of-founders
  11. “2024 Annual Report.” Washington County Community Foundation. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://assets.nlcnet.net/0698/documents/WCCF-2024-Annual-Report-S.pdf
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