Centenary fundraising drive to support vital projects

A fundraising campaign that will support student bursaries and a new outdoor learning space is taking place on 29 and 30 April 2026.

In its centenary year, the University of Reading is holding its second annual Giving Day, raising money for projects that will leave a lasting legacy.

The 36-hour fundraising drive will support two new centenary funds:

• the Beyond 100 Bursary, helping to ease the burden of living costs so students can focus on fully experiencing university life rather than worrying about their finances.
• the Outdoor Learning Garden, a new teaching and research space on Whiteknights campus dedicated to sustainability and environmental learning.

Donors can also choose to contribute to the University's Where the Need is Greatest fund, which supports emerging student priorities including hardship relief, wellbeing and access to learning resources, ensuring support is directed where it is most needed.

The Beyond 100 Bursary provides a £1,500 contribution to living costs for undergraduate, Master's and foundation-level students, helping to ensure that ability and ambition, not circumstance, determine who can succeed at university. Fundraising during the centenary year is focused on enabling 100 bursaries to be awarded.

Situated within the restored historic walls of the Harris Garden on Whiteknights campus, the Outdoor Learning Garden is a new teaching and research space supporting learning connected to climate change, biodiversity, water systems, food production and environmental sustainability. As well as serving students across multiple disciplines, it will be a learning resource for local schools and community groups, featuring a wildlife pond, covered teaching shelter, accessible facilities and experimental plots.

The impact of giving

Last year's inaugural Giving Day raised more than £36,000 from 173 donors across 21 countries. Those gifts have already made a tangible difference: helping to expand the Neurobears programme for children and families run by the University’s Centre for Autism, as well as offering sessions free of charge; funding two Climate Stripes Scholarships for international meteorology students; and enabling six students to complete paid internships with local charities and small businesses. 

The funding has also enabled the Henley Enterprise Lab to put on a free Summer Startup Boot Camp for entrepreneurs from the University and local community. The boot camp will take place in June, with registrations open now.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: "Giving opens doors. It changes lives. It keeps world-class research moving forward in ways that benefit us all. And it creates new partnerships, between donors and the people whose lives and work are transformed by their generosity.

“This Giving Day, as we mark one hundred years since our Royal Charter, we are reminded that every gift, of any size, starts a new page in our continuing story."

Shaped by philanthropy

From its beginnings, the University has been shaped by philanthropy. Local benefactors provided land for the London Road campus, equipped early classrooms and laboratories, provided scholarship funding for students and supported the establishment of Reading as an independent institution.

That tradition continues today, with donor support underpinning a wide range of student, teaching and research activity.

To maximise this year's Giving Day, the University has set an early bird target: if 25 donations are received before the campaign opens, an additional £2,000 will be unlocked. Further matched donation challenges will run throughout the campaign.

To donate, follow the campaign or track donations live, visit the Giving Day website.