A decade of data: What UK charitable trusts tell us about global university fundraising
In 2019, I reflected on the emerging trend of non-UK universities using UK charitable trusts to engage alumni and donors. That earlier study, covering 2014–2018, hinted at a growing appetite for structured, cross-border philanthropy. Six years on, the picture is sharper, the scale more substantial, and the implications clearer.
The latest review, A Study of UK Charitable Trusts Established by Non-UK Higher Education and Research Institutions (2014–2023), identifies 94 active charitable trusts established to support international universities, research institutes and business schools. Together, they raised a remarkable £685.9 million over the decade. While the figures don’t capture all UK-originated giving to overseas institutions, they do offer a robust indication of formalised philanthropic flows—and the structural advantages of using UK charitable vehicles.
“US and Israeli universities have turned trusts into pipelines. Others are catching up.”
A landscape dominated by two
One of the most striking features of the data is its concentration. Just ten institutions—predominantly from the US and Israel—account for over 70% of all funds raised, with the top three alone securing more than £215 million. These include the University of Pennsylvania, the Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
This concentration tells us something important. The UK charitable trust model rewards not just presence but strategy. US and Israeli institutions typically combine long-standing alumni traditions with professional fundraising infrastructure. They’ve used their UK trusts to extend that capability abroad, underpinned by a culture of giving that expects global connectivity.
Newcomers, not laggards
Encouragingly, 63 of the 94 active trusts were established since 2000. This suggests that institutions arriving late to the UK are not necessarily disadvantagedif the strategy is clear. The MIT Foundation UK, established in 2014, is a case in point, having built a strong fundraising record within just a decade.
The lesson? Success in the UK is not a function of when a trust was established, but how well it is positioned, governed, and resourced. Alumni networks matter but so does investment in professional advancement.
The Commonwealth and beyond
The report also finds growing traction among Commonwealth universities, with the University of Cape Town, University of Melbourne, and University of the Witwatersrand leading the charge. Collectively, the top ten Commonwealth institutions raised over £30 million during the period—a modest sum in comparative terms, but a meaningful signal that with the right focus, institutions outside the US-Israel axis can build sustainable donor pipelines.
This performance is particularly notable given that many of these trusts are newer and often lack the embedded culture of alumni giving seen in North America and parts of Israel. Their progress underscores the power of targeted campaigns, strategic alumni engagement, and the willingness to operate in a highly regulated environment.
Why the UK still matters
“The UK may be post-Brexit, but it’s still a preeminent hub for global philanthropy.”
While Britain continues to redefine its post-Brexit identity, its position as a philanthropic gateway appears undiminished. London’s legal infrastructure, Gift Aid incentives, and the credibility of the Charity Commission all contribute to a well-established platform for cross-border giving.
But this is not a passive advantage. The UK’s trust structure requires governance, reporting, and intentionality. Institutions that treat their UK charity as a passive conduit rarely perform well. Those that embed it in their global strategy—staff it properly, use it to host events, recruit engaged trustees—see stronger returns.
A decade on, what next?
The 2014–2023 survey shows that UK charitable trusts are no longer an experimental model—they are a tested and scalable channel for institutions seeking to grow international philanthropy. But they are not a silver bullet.
Success depends on alignment: between alumni strategy and fundraising goals, between local governance and global ambition. For European, African, Asian, and Latin American institutions, the data reveals both a challenge and an opportunity. The infrastructure exists, the case studies are instructive, and the UK’s donor base is demonstrably open to international engagement.
For institutions willing to invest with intent, the next decade could look very different indeed.