Fundraising FAQs

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Thank you for your support of Gresham College. 

Please find below a list of commonly asked questions about fundraising. If you cannot find the information you require on our webpages, please contact us. 

How does my support make a difference to Gresham College?

Gresham College has been providing free university-level lectures since 1597, when Sir Thomas Gresham founded the college to make the new academic discoveries and insights of the Renaissance accessible to all Londoners. 

Our historic Professors include luminaries of the scientific revolution, such as Robert Hooke and Sir Christopher Wren, connecting us to the founding of the Royal Society.  

Today, we continue to uphold Sir Thomas Gresham’s legacy. The College aims to stimulate intellectual curiosity and to champion academic rigour, professional expertise and freedom of expression. 

In 2023, we reached people from more than 150 countries, with 7.54 million views on YouTube and over 8,000 people attending our lectures in-person. 

We couldn’t do this without the aid of our corporate partners, sponsors, supporters and audiences.  

Can I fund a specific project?

Our main funds are: 

  • Gresham Lecture Fund (your donation could go towards the costs of providing in person lectures for up to 80 people.) 
  • Gresham Greater Reach Fund (your donation could go towards reaching more people from a broader range of backgrounds and ages to benefit from Gresham College’s lectures.) 
  • Gresham Schools’ Fund (your donation could go towards the Gresham College Professors’ work in schools.) 
  • Gresham Greatest Need Fund (your donation could go towards where the Executive Director thinks is Gresham College’s greatest need.)

As well as raising donations for Gresham College’s four main funds, there are opportunities to support a specific project, such as a lecture series, specific audio/video equipment to help maintain our high production standards, or projects to develop our schools outreach work. 

Who can I contact to share how I have benefitted from Gresham College?

We love hearing from our audiences, whether online or in-person, local or overseas. We are particularly keen to receive testimonials, stories and feedback, and hear what you enjoy most about our lectures. 

How do I add Gift Aid to my donation?

When you choose to add Gift Aid to your donation, we can reclaim the basic rate of 20% on your gift, enhancing its value. By doing this, you allow us to make the most of every eligible donation.  

To ensure that Gresham College can claim Gift Aid on your donation(s), please download the Gift Aid Form.

Does Gresham College share my data?

Gresham College does not share your data with other charities, nor do we sell data. For more information about how we use your data, please see our Privacy Policy. 

How can I make a fundraising complaint?

Gresham College welcomes comments and feedback about our work. If you wish to make a complaint, we are keen to resolve it as quickly and efficiently as possible. We aim to follow a clear and vigorous fundraising complaints process, in line with the Fundraising Regulator, of which Gresham College is a member. Find out more about our complaints procedure

How do I update my personal details?

Please contact Celia Blakeway-Phillips to make changes to your contact details. You can do this by emailing support@gresham.ac.uk or calling +44(0) 7827 068129 

If you would like to discuss any of the above, or any other aspect of fundraising and engagement, you can contact the Head of Fundraising and Engagement, typically available between 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Email support@gresham.ac.uk or call +44(0) 7827 068129