A growing bank of benefactors is being built up to help the University of Bradford spread the benefits of knowledge.

Since the university began its fundraising work in 2009 to attract philanthropic gifts, around £500,000 has been drawn in to support a range of causes, from research into cancer therapeutics to hardship funds or students in desperate need.

The number of people donating cash to Bradford University has increased from just 21 in 2009 to more than 350 in 2010.

The figures are in keeping with a new survey into higher education philanthropy, that revealed how institutions in Yorkshire and the Humber were benefiting from an increase of donors.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Cleary, said: “We believe that the benefits of knowledge should be open to as many and varied a group of people as possible, regardless of financial circumstances or background. The University has a huge range of worthwhile causes to support.”

And he offered his thanks to supporters “...without whom Bradford could not achieve all that it does.”

Professor Cleary said the University now hoped to continue to build on its fundraising.

The University has also been able to claim £140,000 from the Government’s Matched Funding Scheme for Higher Education, bringing the total raised to more than £600,000. As well as seeking out more donors and gifts for specific projects this year, the university has also launched an annual telethon, where current students offer graduates the opportunity to support their former university.

The university has also produced guidance for people wishing to leave a gift in their Will to Bradford.

According to the Ross-CASE survey, the only comprehensive source of information on higher education philanthropic income in the UK, higher education institutions in Yorkshire and the Humber benefited from £11.6million in cash income donations from 8,977 individual donors in 2009-10, Nationally, more than 185,000 people and organisations donated to higher education institutions from 2009–10. The donations are used to support a wide range of initiatives from funding research and new facilities, to providing bursaries for students.

  • Read the full story in Tuesday's T&A