CASE published its latest Insights on Philanthropy report for the UK and Ireland on 5 May 2026, and it carries an encouraging message for the education sector. Universities secured 1.55 billion pounds in new philanthropic funds committed during 2024-25, up on the previous year and the second consecutive year above 1.5 billion pounds, with 79 institutions contributing data. For leaders in advancement, development and corporate partnerships, philanthropy is clearly established as a durable and growing source of support for ambitious institutions in both the UK and Irish university sectors.

This is a strong platform for institutions that want to build on it, and the findings point to practical steps that any team can take. The report notes that performance varied across the sector, with some institutions growing, and describes the longer-term trend as positive. Three themes stand out for leaders: major gifts are a powerful engine, alumni remain the backbone of giving, and professional advancement capability is where the best returns are built.

Major gifts first. The three largest donations accounted for 31.6% of mean new funds committed this year, a reminder of what a well-prepared, leadership-led approach to transformational giving can achieve for an institution and its mission. Institutions that cultivate relationships patiently, with clear priorities and a compelling story, and bring senior academic leaders into the conversation, are well placed to attract gifts that fund research excellence, scholarships and campus development.

Alumni and wider supporters remain central. CASE's previous edition, covering 2023-24, recorded 1.52 billion pounds, then the largest sum ever achieved, and found that nearly 70% of donors were alumni. Graduates who have enjoyed a positive experience and visible student success are the natural ambassadors for an institution, and well-run alumni programmes turn that goodwill into lasting partnership that benefits students, staff and the wider community.

Capability is where the investment shows. Participating institutions invested 236.4 million pounds in advancement, employing 2,895 full-time equivalent staff across fundraising, alumni relations and development services. That scale of professional commitment shows how seriously the sector now treats philanthropy, and it gives newer or smaller teams, including those at Irish universities, a clear, encouraging benchmark to learn from as they grow their own capability.

Three actions follow for educational leadership. First, build a major-gift pipeline with named senior academic sponsors, so that the case for support reflects the institution's strongest research and teaching. Second, invest in alumni engagement as a long-term relationship rather than a campaign, tracking how graduate outcomes feed into giving. Third, benchmark advancement staffing and spend against the CASE data, using it to make a confident internal case for capability where gaps exist, and to share good practice with peers.

Philanthropy is becoming a defining strength of the sector. Institutions that treat it as a strategic partnership channel, led from the top and supported by skilled teams, can use it to pursue education excellence, deepen employer and donor relationships, and secure the resources to turn bold academic ambitions into reality for the benefit of learners and communities alike.