Development Report

I am pleased to share updates on my three primary areas of responsibility as Fellow for Development: the College’s strategic vision, its internal and external communications, and alumni relations and fundraising.

Strategic Vision

With the benefit of input from the whole College community – alumni, students, staff and Fellows – the high-level Strategic Vision for Clare’s eighth century has been approved by the Governing Body. An inclusive process has now begun to develop an implementation plan, which will set out the College’s short-, medium- and long-term objectives for achieving its Strategic Vision. The Strategic Vision and implementation plan will be published to the wider Clare community in early 2025, a year ahead of the College’s 700th anniversary.

Communications

The College Communications Manager, Sally Hodges, has made a huge contribution towards enhancing the College’s internal and external communications.

In April 2024, a College intranet was launched. It is designed to present all key College-related updates in one place, and complements a monthly internal newsletter for Fellows and staff. Termly all-staff meetings with College Officers will ensure a better two-way flow of information.

Regular College news and information are shared across 4 different social media platforms, engaging with over 15,000 followers on a weekly basis. Content is adapted for the different core audiences of prospective students, current students, alumni, staff and Fellows. The College secured positive press coverage of the River Room and North Range extension, including a review in The Observer.

In addition to regular e-newsletters and stories posted on the College website and social media channels, this Review and Clare News remain our journals of record, and continue to be sent free of charge to all alumni. The College Communications Manager welcomes alumni news and feedback on all aspects of College communications.

Alumni Relations and Fundraising

Clare continues to put on one of the most comprehensive programmes of alumni events in collegiate Cambridge. During the 2023–24 academic year, the College hosted 4 Reunions, 2 MA lunches, a Family Day and the annual meeting of the Alumni Council. The 2024 Clare Distinguished Lecture in Economics and Public Policy was given by Paul Johnson CBE with Tim Gardam CBE as discussant. Stewardship events for College donors included the Samuel Blythe Society lunch, the Benefactors’ Garden Party, the Master’s Circle Dinner, and a VIP benefactors’ event at Hever Castle entirely funded by a donor, with a captivating talk on Anne Boleyn given by John Guy (Fellow) and Julia Fox. The official opening of the River Room took place in December 2023, and Hall concerts in October 2023 and March 2024.

Hever Castle Event with Dr John Guy and Julia Fox

Hever Castle Event with Dr John Guy and Julia Fox

Outside College, the Clare City Dinner in London (for alumni working in the financial services sector) was held in October 2023, generously hosted and funded by an alumnus. The Master hosted alumni gatherings in Boston, New York and Philadelphia in May 2023; Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco in December 2023; and Hong Kong and Singapore in January 2024. Building engagement with our overseas alumni is critical to the long-term success of the College’s development programme.

Clare alumni in Singapore with Fellow Roel Sterckx

Clare alumni in Singapore with Fellow Roel Sterckx

The financial support provided by alumni and well-wishers is essential in enabling Clare to maintain its academic excellence, its inclusive and friendly community, its historic buildings and grounds, and its worldwide reputation in music. Whether in sports, the arts or education, excellence does not come cheap: we are therefore enormously grateful for the support we receive from so many members of the College community, without which we would not be able to sustain Lady Clare’s vision into our eighth century.

In the financial year ending 30 June 2024, the College raised £6.4 million in new gifts and pledges. Much of this philanthropy was earmarked for the Campaign for Old Court, which has now been brought to a successful conclusion, raising its £25 million target towards the total project cost of £42 million. Particular thanks are due to the Old Court Campaign Board and other volunteers for their leadership.

The 2024 telephone campaign ran from 3 April to 15 April 2024, the last two weeks of the Easter vacation. A group of 16 energetic and talented Clare students enjoyed speaking to hundreds of alumni. As well as rekindling and strengthening ties with the College, the campaign raised a total of £327,751 in new gifts, a substantial increase on last year’s figure. For the second year running, gifts by new donors were incentivised by a donation of £100,000 from a member of the Old Court Campaign Board. New legacy pledges received during the year totalled in excess of £2.5 million, and legacies continue to represent a vital income stream for the College, just as they have since Lady Clare’s bequests in 1360.

Transforming Old Court, supporting small-group College teaching and the tutorial system: all areas of College life depend on the contributions of many hundreds of donors, large and small. A recent alumna donating £10 per month in response to the telephone campaign is every bit as important as a retired alumnus making a larger lifetime gift or remembering Clare in their will. And donations come in other forms, too: the College has recently received a most generous gift of art works by alumnus Philip Hughes (1954) which will greatly enhance the public rooms of the Gillespie Centre. Other alumni give freely of their time and expertise by serving on the College’s Audit and Investment Committees.

Whether by hosting or attending events, acting as ambassadors for Clare, or supporting the College with advice and gifts, alumni have a crucial role to play in sustaining Lady Clare’s foundation into its eighth century. The College is enormously proud of its members and hugely grateful for their continuing loyalty and support.