News

A double celebration

Published 20 June 2011

The University of Brighton has received national recognition for its fundraising achievements, winning an award for improved and sustained progress during the second year of CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) matched funding scheme.

The university is one of only three institutions to receive an award, surpassing both the universities of Bath and Kent to be selected as the overall winner.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business and Marketing) Colin Monk, member of the Board of Governors Steve Maycock, Director of Alumni and Development Sam Davies and Development Manager Andrew Scanlan

This was a double celebration as Steve Maycock (member of the Board of Governors and a former student of Brighton Polytechnic), was chosen for the Matched Funding Volunteer Award for his 'exemplar volunteer leadership' in fundraising and alumni engagement with praise given for his "unstinting enthusiasm and interest."

The award made to Steve seeks to recognise an individual who has contributed to enhancing and sustaining an institution's fundraising performance. Commenting on Steve's success, the judges said:

'He has made a gift and got really involved in the fundraising process - that's exemplary volunteer leadership' and 'On-going commitment through becoming a direct fundraising volunteer, making first-ever prospect visits'.

Director of Alumni and Development, Sam Davies said: "Our success is testimony to the hard work and dedication of the team in the Development and Alumni Office, but also very much thanks to the willingness of colleagues across the institution (at all levels) to actively participate in fundraising and alumni engagement activities - both increasingly important areas for the university going forwards as the HE funding environment changes."

Development and Alumni Office

"This award really demonstrates how far we have come in a relatively short space of time – it is wonderful to receive recognition for our ongoing efforts in raising the profile of the impact of giving and indeed also for our success in persuading far greater numbers of alumni and friends to indicate their support through donations. This really is a long-term activity, but it is hugely encouraging to look back at what we have achieved already."

The CASE matched funding scheme is government-led and aims to increase voluntary giving to all higher education institutions by providing matching on eligible charitable donations made to participating institutions through a fund of £200 million. The scheme has enabled the Development and Alumni Office to make great advances on behalf of the university in fundraising and the team aim to build upon the momentum generated so far.

The scheme remains in force until the end of July 2011 and it is still possible to secure matching on eligible charitable donations. Both the volunteer and institutional awards were collected in a ceremony at the British Academy attended by Sam Davies, Steve Maycock, Colin Monk, and Andrew Scanlan.