UK and Ireland University Philanthropy Climbs to £1.55 Billion in a Year of Sector Strain
Universities in the UK and Ireland secured £1.55 billion in new philanthropic funds committed in 2024–25 — an increase on the previous year and the second consecutive year above £1.5 billion, despite a turbulent climate across the sector. The findings come from the latest CASE Insights on Philanthropy (United Kingdom & Ireland) report, published by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), with 79 institutions contributing data.
The report highlights a complex fundraising landscape as performance varied across the sector, with some institutions reporting growth and others decline. Over a longer-term period, the trend remains positive. Amongst institutions who supplied data for the past five years, total new funds committed rose by more than 30% since 2020–21.
This year’s findings also indicate reliance on major gifts, with the three largest donations accounting for nearly a third (31.6%) of mean new funds committed this reporting year. Trusts and foundations remain the single largest source of new funds committed (35.1%), while alumni account for nearly two-thirds of all donors by count. Donors remain deliberate and impact-focused, with 58.7% of committed gifts designated for restricted current use, which includes support for research and student financial aid programmes.
“Every donation signifies a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives and society. Philanthropy continues to enable institutions to expand opportunity, engage with community, accelerate research, and respond to urgent social challenges,” said Sue Cunningham, President and CEO of CASE. “Whilst alumni represent a significant share of donors, fewer than 1% of all alumni reported made contributions in 2024-25. Consequently, strengthening alumni relationships and reimagining engagement strategies remains a critical priority for the sector in building philanthropic support combined with the myriad other benefits derived from alumni engaging with their universities.”
Survey participation also dipped this year, with some institutions reporting they did not have the capacity to complete the full return — a reflection of the pressures facing advancement teams. Among institutions who did complete, the report highlights continued investment in advancement activity, with a combined £236.4 million invested and 2,895 full-time equivalent staff across fundraising, alumni relations and development services. In a year of difficult staffing decisions across the sector, the data makes the case clearly: institutions that have sustained investment in the teams responsible for raising funds and building institutional relationships see the strongest philanthropic return.
“We recognise that this has been a year of profound challenge for our sector, and so we thank every institution that contributed their data.” says CASE Europe Co-Executive Director, Pamela Agar. “We hope that the survey can continue to contribute a robust picture of the sector’s philanthropic health and CASE will provide a shortened, core metrics survey next year to encourage stronger participation. The resilience evident in this year's figures is a reminder of what philanthropy, and the people behind it, can deliver for higher education, even under complex conditions.”
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.
