Mertonian generosity results in record-breaking Annual Fund Year
We are delighted to announce that, thanks to the generosity of Mertonians and friends of Merton worldwide, more than £24.4 million has now been raised towards the 750th Anniversary Campaign target of £30 million. We would like to thank all those who have supported the Campaign thus far.
Since the start of the Campaign in 2007, over 50% of Mertonians have made a donation to the College. Between August 2012 and July 2013, more than 1,970 Mertonians made a gift, meaning that our annual participation rate climbed from 24% in 2011-12 to 34.66% in 2012-13. This is a record for Merton, and one of the highest participation rates in Oxford College fundraising by quite a margin.
Donations to the Annual Fund exceeded £1,000,000 for the first time in the College’s history. This is wonderful news and demonstrates the remarkable breadth of Mertonian support, which is essential in enabling Merton to remain a centre of excellence in a world-class university. We are enormously grateful to all our donors.
The Sustaining Excellence Campaign aims to secure Merton’s academic standards, increase student support, and preserve Merton’s architectural heritage for the next phase of the College’s history. Our current priorities include endowing key fellowships and significantly building our Student Support Fund for the new undergraduate bursaries and for graduate scholarships, both of which are jointly funded by the Colleges and the University. It is crucial we continue to progress with these vital priorities as we enter the final phase of the Campaign. More information on the new student funding arrangements and the support available for undergraduates can be found on the University of Oxford website.
Our 750th Anniversary events brochure will soon be going out to Mertonians worldwide. Booking will open at the beginning of November. We are looking forward to seeing as many Mertonians as possible return to the College to celebrate this important milestone in our history.
