In 2018, the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, and IntoUniversity launched a collaborative fundraising campaign to bring to Scotland IntoUniversity’s proven model of raising aspiration and attainment of higher education amongst disadvantaged communities in England. All three partners were driven by a shared commitment to serve Scotland’s children and ensure that, from as young as seven years old, they have the support to develop their potential and the guidance to help them navigate educational pathways to realise their dreams. The universities recognised that IntoUniversity’s community-based learning centre model was unique, and complemented their own Widening Participation initiatives. While they were keen for such centres to help diversify their own student populations, they were primarily motivated to help IntoUniversity come to Scotland because of their deep commitment to be civic universities, devoted not just to their own students but to their wider communities. This shared ethos informed every aspect of the collaborative fundraising approach. It inspired early gifts from existing donors, as well as several of the largest gifts from entirely new donors during the pandemic. The goal was reached in early 2021.
As a result, in 2021 three learning centres will be launched in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Each year, these centres will provide long-term academic and pastoral support to 3,000+ young people experiencing disadvantage that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. The centres will also connect young people with two of the world’s leading higher education institutions, providing exceptional opportunities to nurture their ambitions.
From the Judges
We really enjoyed the creativity and collective partnership between these three institutions in launching a fundraising campaign to better serve Scotland’s children from disadvantaged communities in navigating educational pathways.
