Mansfield College development and communications teams together launched a new multi-year fundraising campaign—For Mansfield. Forever.—in March 2024, aimed at supporting all areas of the college’s work, including a significant capital project, centered around its sector-leading work to widen participation with Oxford University. The strategic goals of the fundraising campaign were to raise an initial (and private) target of £50 million and raise the profile of the college, and inspire our audiences with the impact the college is having within higher education and the world. Target audiences are our alumni constituency of about 5,500 people; supporters and philanthropists supporting higher education and social mobility; with subsidiary audiences (for inspiration rather than financial support) being prospective students, and our own academic community of tutors, students, and staff. One year on from public launch, we have already met our initial target, having raised £53 million towards our three campaign pillars: People, Place, and Culture—over double the sum of any previous campaign at the college—plus secured a further £30 million in (unrestricted) legacy pledges. Already, the campaign has taken the college out of its previous vulnerable financial position within Oxford, secured (inter)national press coverage, significantly increased its online audiences, and we are halfway to our goal of raising £20 million for an ambitious Estate Transformation Project on our site. In sum, this campaign has already been transformative for the college, and we are not stopping here!
From the Judges
Great use of supporting materials that have bright, vibrant colors to keep their target audience engaged. Additionally, leveraged social media well to share students stories and tie together institutional connections.
