# Increasing fundraising efforts see universities’ annual total reach over £1 billion

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/04/30/increasing-fundraising-efforts-see-universities-annual-total-reach-over-1bn/
- Published: 2019-04-30T09:15:27+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Universities in the UK and Ireland are fundraising more than ever in an attempt
to remain financially sustainable, with over £1billion raised in 2017/18, according
to CASE Europe’s annual Ross-CASE survey. **

Reported levels have increased from £350m secured by 75 universities in 2004/05 
to £1.08bn secured by 100 universities in 2017/18.

[CASE Europe](https://www.case.org/)‘s [2019 Ross-CASE survey](https://www.case.org/resources/ross-case-survey)
also shows a significant increase in fundraising levels by ‘Developing’ institutions,
which have seen a 51% increase on the previous year. Meanwhile, ‘Emerging’ institutions
have seen a 15% increase. The number of universities other than Oxbridge now raising
£5m a year has also nearly doubled over the past ten years – from 17 to 31. 

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Universities in Scotland secured the most new funds, raising more than £61.3m, with
those in Ireland raising more than £33m in new funds secured, and Welsh universities
more than £8.2m.

Amounts raised in England ranged from £269.8m by the London region, to £36.6m in
the South West and £1.7m in the East of England.

Other findings from the 2019 Ross-CASE survey and report include: 

 * For the first time on record a university crossed the £300m threshold for new
   funds secured in a single year
 * The average value of an institution’s largest pledge was £2.39m (up from £1.87m
   in 2016/17)
 * Of the £1.08bn, total new funds from the top three largest pledges contributed
   £353m (£311m in 2016/17)
 * Cash income from legacies has increased by 19% (following a decrease of 11% from
   2015-16 to 2016/17)

However, despite significant increases in fundraising levels over the past 10 years,
the number of people who donate to their university remains fairly static – currently
at 1.3%. Last year also saw a slight dip in donations.

Sue Cunningham, President and CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education(
CASE), said: 

>  “As funding sources for higher education are increasingly under pressure, engagement
> with donors has become fundamental to the success of universities. “Creating a
> culture of philanthropy with current students and alumni helps ensure new students
> are able to experience the opportunities that others before them enjoyed.”

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow and Chair
of the CASE Europe Board of Trustees, said: 

>  “The increase in fundraising levels is a vote of confidence by donors that our
> sector can change the world for the better. Donating to universities supports 
> life changing research and transformational education opportunities for those 
> who might not otherwise have such access.”

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