A vision for Oxford

On 28 May, the University launched the largest fundraising campaign in the history of European universities. Its aim: to raise at least £1.25 billion to sustain and enhance Oxford’s international reputation and maintain its position at the forefront of world-class research and teaching.  The Campaign for the University of Oxford is inclusive of all aspects of the University, bringing together the academic priorities of colleges and departments alike. 

While Oxford is widely recognised as a world-leading university, it is far from rich in comparison with its Ivy League peers, whose endowments per capita are typically three or four times that of Oxford. For Oxford to undertake the kind of development programme that will allow it to play its full part in meeting global challenges, such as climate change, disease, poverty and global ageing, its financial future must be secure.

Funds raised will be directed towards academic priorities established across the collegiate University and delivered as support focused in three areas: student bursaries and scholarships; academic posts and programmes; buildings and infrastructure. The University and colleges are determined to enable the brightest undergraduate and graduate students to come to Oxford, regardless of their personal financial situation. Secure permanent posts and research funding are needed to attract and provide a career structure for the world’s top academics and first-rate facilities for the 21st century are essential. Plans already in hand include the development of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (formerly the site of the Radcliffe Infirmary) as a new home for the Humanities and for a new Mathematical Institute, plus the transformation of the New Bodleian Library and a new Institute for Cancer Medicine.

‘Across the centuries Oxford’s great minds have changed and bettered the world through their discoveries, innovations and insights. Our new Campaign will advance the University’s historical strengths and draw upon its enormous potential for the future’, the Chancellor, Lord Patten of Barnes, promised at the Campaign’s London launch at the British Academy. He was accompanied at the event by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr John Hood, and Dame Vivien Duffield, philanthropist and alumna of Lady Margaret Hall, who is Chairman of The Campaign for the University of Oxford. The Campaign is also supported by distinguished patrons around the world, who are lending their influence and support to the cause, and by a committee made up of senior lay representatives who are alumni of the colleges.

Other Oxonians supporting the University at the launch included Sir Roger Bannister, Richard Dawkins, Ian Hislop and Michael Palin. Mr Palin is also the narrator of Oxford Today, a film created to reflect the diversity and international impact of Oxford life, which can be viewed on the Campaign website. ‘Oxford has a tremendous attraction for people abroad’, he said. ‘A third of all students are from abroad and, as someone who travels a lot, I think this is one of the strongest things about Oxford and about this appeal.’

The Campaign is an umbrella appeal and encompasses gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations to specific colleges, particular projects or subjects, and to more general funds. Donations totalling £575 million were announced at the launch as gifts made to the collegiate University in the Campaign’s pre-launch phase, which dates from Dr Hood’s arrival as Vice-Chancellor in summer 2004. This sum includes £25 million from the Garfield Weston Foundation for the development of the New Bodleian Library – the Foundation’s largest ever gift – and a fund with a capital value of £25 million established by Mr Wafic Saïd to create a strategic development fund for the Saïd Business School. In addition, the Shirley Foundation, established by Dame Stephanie Shirley (a Foundation Fellow of Balliol College), pledged £1 million to assist with the conversion of St Cross Church Holywell to an Historic Collection Centre for Balliol College. During this pre-launch period there were more than 20,000 donors to the Campaign – a broad base that highlights the important role of gifts at all levels. ‘The Campaign launch attracted phenomenal press coverage in national newspapers, TV and radio, both in the UK and abroad’, says Anthony Crampton, Senior Campaign Communications Officer. ‘At its peak, shortly after the launch, visits to the Campaign website were running at 1,000 a day – and they’re still averaging about 300 a day.’  This website links directly to an online giving facility which allows supporters to make a one-off or regular monthly gift to a chosen destination.

By October 2008, the Campaign had raised £630 million in gifts and pledges in support of colleges, departments, libraries, museums and sports.

Amongst the major gifts made since the Campaign launch was a donation of $50 million to Christ Church from Michael Moritz, a partner at California-based venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, and his wife, writer Harriet Heyman. Mr Moritz, who is North American Chairman of The Campaign for the University of Oxford, read Modern History at Christ Church. The money will form a permanent part of the college’s endowment and the extra income from this will fund academic posts, maintain, modernise and restore buildings, and provide student bursaries. Under the terms of the gift, the college will transfer an additional £75 million of its existing endowment into the Oxford University Endowment Management Fund. The donors said: ‘This is an expression of our gratitude for the compass to life that Christ Church and the University provided many years ago.’ As the Campaign continues many other major gifts are being announced.

‘The academic priorities identified by the Campaign provide a broad set of opportunities for support at all levels. I hope that every alumnus and friend of Oxford wishes to support this transformational appeal’, says Sue Cunningham, the University’s Director of Development. She highlights the fact that the UK government has recently announced a matched funding scheme for English universities, whereby Oxford will receive £1 for every £3 raised through qualifying donations, up to a £2.75 million cap. ‘This creates a sense of impetus and encouragement for the higher education sector and many donors alike’, she adds. ‘Every pound received, to any part of the collegiate University, makes a real difference.’

A series of autumn international events highlighting the Campaign saw senior Oxford representatives, including the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor, visiting Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney and Melbourne. North American events will take place in spring 2009.