Giving to Glasgow

Celebrating 25 years of inspirational support

November 2024 marked a milestone in the University’s philanthropic history as we celebrated 25 years of donors like you driving innovation, community and progress through the Chancellor’s Fund. This generosity has played a crucial role in shaping the University’s story – thank you for being part of this incredible journey. 

The history of the Chancellor’s Fund 

Founded in 1999, The Chancellor’s Fund was publicly launched at a special event hosted by the Principal and the Rector at the time, Richard Wilson. In the presence of the then Chancellor, Sir William Kerr Fraser, the Principal announced the creation of the Fund, stating: 

“The Chancellor's Fund will now become the umbrella for all the University’s fundraising activities... It will receive all unrestricted donations to the Campaign, making it even easier to support the University.” 

Sir William Kerr Fraser highlighted the unique role the Fund would play stating: 

“The new fund provides a channel through which friends and supporters of the University – including, of course, its alumni – can make gifts earmarked for specific purposes. The majority of the Board are not members of staff, so the Board is able to bring an outside view to bear on the allocation of gifts made by generous benefactors.” 

Since its inception, the Chancellor’s Fund has remained steadfast in its mission to serve as an unrestricted resource, enabling the University to address its most pressing needs. This flexibility has allowed it to spearhead technological advancements, seed innovative student projects and support initiatives with a local and global impact. 

Aims of the Chancellor’s Fund 

Although the central mission of the Fund remains the same, over the last 25 years it has developed to reflect the University’s evolving needs and priorities. Today, the Fund’s core aims are to:  

• Support our students by enhancing their university experience
• Improve the learning environment through access to new technologies and upgraded facilities
• Develop excellence by funding research, teaching and academic advancements 
• Preserve the University’s heritage by supporting cultural and physical conservation projects
• Advance sustainability initiatives in response to the climate change emergency 

Our pioneering projects 

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, over the last 25 years the Chancellor’s Fund has supported over 600 projects that have enriched the University and its community. 

Student support 

One of the Fund’s earliest projects was Nightline, a listening service for students of UofG, Caledonian and Strathclyde Universities. Your donations meant that the Fund could provide Nightline with computers and equipment and the service continues to run today, providing information and listening support for the city’s students.  

Learning and studying spaces 

The Chancellor’s Fund has also helped to transform UofG’s campuses with spaces that enhance learning, teaching and research. Among the spaces supported by the Fund are the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre which was funded via the Beatson Pebble Appeal. The building provides state-of-the-art facilities for life-saving cancer research. 

You also enabled the Fund to help with the redevelopment of the Round Reading Room, a historic building that houses the student support services and provides crucial study space on the Gilmorehill campus. It also contributed towards the creation of the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, which opened in 2021. This impressive new space offers cutting-edge teaching facilities, study spaces for 2500 students and inclusive areas that enable students to make hot drinks and heat meals. 

Enriching experiences 

The Chancellor’s Fund is also committed to ensuring that all students at UofG can enjoy every aspect of student life. From increasing awareness of British Sign Language and supporting student groups and societies to enabling student athletes to pursue their passion, your gifts help to enrich the student journey and offer individuals the chance to get the most out of their time at UofG.  

Pioneering technology 

In recent years, as the needs of our student body and community develop, the Fund has invested in STEM projects including those that aim to engage people with science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Fund collaborated with the University’s Engineering Society to provide mentoring opportunities with students from schools around Glasgow. With teams designing and constructing robots for an Olympics-style competition, young people had the opportunity to discover more about STEM subjects and higher education.  

Building a greener future 

You have also enabled the Chancellor’s Fund to address the climate crisis by supporting projects that focus on sustainability and the environment. One such project is a community-driven initiative named Spot-a-Bee which aims to enhance understanding of the pollinator process. By encouraging people to upload photos of bees feeding, it also helps researchers identify where pollinator plants should be grown and rebuild lost habitats. 

As we look back on 25 years of impact, we would like to thank you again for your commitment to the University of Glasgow and for making these essential projects possible. 

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