Ross-CASE report 2017 Communications Template
All information embargoed for 0:01 on Wednesday 3rd May
Thank you for helping us to spread the word about the impact of the fantastic fundraising efforts UK universities have undertaken.
This toolkit has been developed by CASE's communications agency, Campaign Collective. It is designed to help you spread the news of your specific institutional successes alongside the national picture.
The key elements are:
1) Template press release
2) Regional figures
3) Social media content (#1bnUniDonations)
4) Other ideas for spreading the word
5) Letting us know what you have done
1) Template press release
Please use the press release below to tailor the national story to your local media, websites, internal communication channels and in-house publications.
Embargoed for 0:01 on Wednesday 3rd May
[insert] University Contributes to a record £1bn in UK university donations
- [insert] University sees a [X]% uplift in philanthropic income in its [4th year] fundraising campaign
UK universities philanthropic giving has reached record levels surpassing the £1 billion-a-year milestone for the first time, aided by £[X] in new funds secured by [insert] university.
[insert] university has seen a [X]% uplift in philanthropic income against a [23%] national average of participating universities the annual Ross-CASE survey on higher education giving in the UK.
OR
Philanthropic income to UK academic institutions year-on-year surged by 23% across the 110 participating universities in the latest annual Ross-CASE survey on higher education giving in the UK.
[editable graph]
These donations have enabled [insert] university to invest in projects such as[insert case study, such as…
- Largest pledge/gift and the impact it made to your institution
- Legacy/bequests that transformed your institution
- Annual appeal/regular giving campaign that made a difference
- Major gift from a trust/foundation
- Major gifts from corporates
- Impact of capital campaign]
[Insert] from [Insert] University said:
“Our increased efforts in fundraising has resulted in the university be able to [insert example]. Without this funding, such a project may not have been possible and we are incredibly grateful to all those who made this happen.”
The report was compiled by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Europe. Tricia King, Global Vice President (CASE) said: “Philanthropic giving is now at the heart of UK university culture. It provides vital funds to enable the nation’s universities to invest in new ground breaking research that pushes back the boundaries of knowledge, improves social mobility by widening access to degree study and builds world class facilities.
University fundraising is dependent upon building long term relationships with donors and their investment over time demonstrates a powerful belief in the capacity of universities to tackle world problems. It’s particularly pleasing to see that our alumni make such a major contribution. It’s clear that they, more than anyone, have experienced the benefits of university study and its gratifying that they want to give back.”
Other results from the 2015-16 academic year include:
- Total amount gifted from legacies was £104.7 million from 1,179 legacy donors.
- Alumni donors (177,798) consisted of 80% of individual donors (223,256)
- Universities from the ‘Established’ grouping accounted 32% of new funds secured while those considered to be the elite accounted for 46% of new funds secured.
- Such was the improved investment in some of the ‘Emerging’ universities in fundraising that they have been formed into a new classification, ‘Developing’.
- 10per cent increase in total cash income received since 2014-15 (to £838.7 million).
The increase in funds secured comes despite a decrease (0.5%) in the overall number of donors’ year on year, with a significant proportion of the new funds secured from large gifts and pledges.
As in previous years of the 15-year research project, new funds secured from alumni (£322m) account for significantly more than non-alumni individuals (£149m), while new funds secured from trusts and foundations (£442m) far outweighs companies (£82m).
Ends
2) Regional figures
You can further tailor the press release by using the regional figures within the Excel document [Ross_CASE Report 2017_Regional Graphs]to create your own charts and infographics. There are two worksheets, one with data presented by city and one with data presented by UK region. You can add a row with data for your institution and create charts comparing your institution to trends across other regions and cities.If you require any other data points to use in your story, please email
3) Social media content
We would urge you to promote any content you publish online or any media coverage generated by using the hashtag #1bnUniDonations
There is also a "Thunderclap" which you can sign up to (and encourage your staff to sign up as well).
A Thunderclap is where an identical message is posted by many people atthe same time, resulting in a significant awareness driver. This has been scheduled for 1:06pm on May 3rd. To get involved simply follow this link before1:06pm, which will prompt you to schedule a social media post to go out at this exact time
An infographic to support the national press release has also been developed. You’ll find this below and as a separate JPEG and PDF file. You can use this infographic and the link to the national news story on your website alongside the following social media posts:
- Philanthropic donations to UK Universities surpass £1bn milestone#1bnUniDonations
- UK universities continue trend of record levels of #fundraising in @CASE_Europe study#1bnUniDonations
- More than £1bn in donations were made to UK universities last year according to @CASE_Europe#1bnUniDonations
- Philanthropic income to UK academic institutions has surged 23% in a year in @CASE_Europe data#1bnUniDonations
- Philanthropic giving is now at the heart of UK university culture according to @CASE_Europe study#1bnUniDonations
- Uni donations provide vital funds to develop world-class facilities, invest in new research and improve social mobility #1bnUniDonations
And finally, why not use this period as an opportunity to promote your own fundraising efforts - and the positive impact they have had on the university and wider society. Such posts could include key statistics andpictures of new facilities, research findings, student projects all made possible by fundraising efforts.
Please use the hashtag #1bnUniDonations and @CASE_Europeon Twitter.You may like to add other hashtags such as #ThanksAlumni or #HEgiving.
4) Other ideas
In addition to the public facing activity, please use this story as an opportunity to engage with alumni, stakeholders and politicians.
Your Vice Chancellor could send an e-newsletter to your database thanking them for their support and how it fits into the wider picture.
You could write to the beneficiaries of your fundraising efforts to ask them to join in the social media promotion.
You could email MPs, Candidates in the election and councillors with an information note setting out the national picture and illustrate it with local examples of the impact of funding etc. You could invite them to come and see these activities for themselves. Please note that due to the General Election, any invites need to be extended to all candidates in the election to ensure impartiality.
Please make the following key points in all communications:
- UK universities have continued their trend of raising record levels of fundraising by crossing the £1 billion-a-year threshold in donations for the first time.
- Philanthropic income to UK academic institutions year-on-year surged by 23% across the 110 participating universities in the latest annual Ross-CASE survey on higher education giving in the UK.
- The report was compiled by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Europe.
- Philanthropic giving is now at the heart of UK university culture. It provides vital funds to enable the nation’s universities to develop world-class facilities, invest in new research programmes and improve social mobility by widening access to degree study.
- Use the campaign hashtag where possible #IbnUniDonations
5) Keeping in touch
The CASE press page will be updated as new media coverage is published. To monitor this visit
Thank you again for your support and do let us know about the activity you deliver by emailing: .
We look forward to hearing from you.