Ten ways fundraising is supporting our students

Almost £3m was raised by our Fundraising team in 2022/23 to support students, research and initiatives that support teaching and learning.

The University of Reading is a registered charity and has been reaching out to alumni and the community for decades, asking them for support to deliver our positive work.

During the last academic year, Fundraising brought in a total of £2,943,819.

This came from a range of one-off gifts in response to fundraising appeals, regular donations and legacy bequests. These donations make a real difference and our wholehearted thanks goes to our supporters.

We know that academic success is dependent on having the right support available along the way. University donors have given generously and enabled us to develop an effective student support programme that bridges gaps and transforms lives.

Here are just a few things donor support has helped deliver for our students this last academic year:

1. 3 Empowering Change Scholarships, supporting international students to join our specialist postgraduate programmes that tackle major global issues.
2. 10 research grants for undergraduates, providing the unique chance for them to gain hands-on experience working as a researcher, supervised by world experts in their subject.
3. 26 Sporting Excellence Scholarships, which enabled elite student athletes to compete at the highest level alongside their studies.
4. 104 emergency hardship awards to enable students to continue their studies.
5. 51 internship opportunities enabling students to gain valuable work experience with local charities and not-for-profit organisations.
6. 19 match-funded student-led crowdfunding projects that enhanced curriculum learning.
7. 14 digital support grants to pay for IT equipment.
8. 15 wellbeing guides and videos designed to help students and staff to access mental health and welling information and provide tips to help them to thrive.
9. 1 postgraduate Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) fellowship, enabling a refugee researcher to safely continue their investigations away from conflict zones.
10. 3 student ambassadors to support the development of the Life Tools programme, designed to help students reach their full potential.

Fi Blair, Director of External Relations, said: “Our donors and supporters help us in our mission to tackle the most pressing issues facing our world today.

“Whether through financial contribution or the giving of time and advocacy, their generosity enables our students and academics – both at home and across the world – to achieve more.”

To find out more read the latest edition of Giving Matters or visit our Fundraising website.