GCU Foundation is the University’s main point of engagement with alumni and friends of GCU. Comprising of the Foundation, Alumni Engagement and Events, the team is responsible for developing long-lasting relationships, engaging key stakeholders in university life and exploring ways to come together to support students in need.

There are inspiring examples of work made possible through the contribution of friends of the University throughout the Annual Review. Examples such as our Golf and Gala Dinner Fundraiser with Founding Donor Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, which raised an incredible £175,000 in student support, and our life-changing Magnusson Awards, which support students’ dream projects.

To date, more than £10 million has been raised making a positive difference for the Common Good. During 2022, our donors made a positive impact on university life with examples including:

• Leading brands Boots Opticians and the Weir Group joined our group of generous scholarship donors, including Sir Alex Ferguson, to provide vital support to students joining GCU from a widening access background, including those who are care experienced
• Pupils from areas of low uptake of higher education were given the chance to experience STEM subjects as part of a residential programme, thanks to the generosity of donors to our School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment
• Santander Universities provided a generous programme of support including scholarships, technology grants, seed funding and internships for students with autism
• 50 GCU students, staff and friends took part in the Kiltwalk raising £9,000 to provide vital financial support to our students facing hardship
• Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust provided funding to establish an online directory of valuable practice for tackling poverty locally

Through MINT, our pioneering programme of Mentoring, Internships, Networking and Talks, we have provided help and support to over 5000 final-year students and new graduates to date.

• More than 1,500 experienced GCU graduates have volunteered their time as mentors providing valuable guidance to new graduates and final-year students
• This year more than 20 students completed paid, graduate-level internships thanks to the support of employers who participated in our match-funded scheme.

Alumni and friends generously gave their time to deliver inspiring talks to the GCU community.

• One of Scotland’s leading philanthropists, Lord Willie Haughey delivered a masterclass sharing insights into his exceptional career journey and his vision for affordable and sustainable housing in Scotland
• Other masterclass speakers this year included Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Nicola Steedman, businesswoman and TV personality Dr Tessa Hartmann, and Scotland's greatest female footballer, Dr Rose Reilly.
• Through our series of Captains of Industry online talks, designed to inspire our students entering the world of work, we featured Mick O’Connor, Founder of HAELO Consulting; Derek Provan, CEO of AGS Airports; Ann Gow, Deputy Chief Executive of Health Improvement Scotland; Sean MacNiven, Head of Research at SAP; and comedy writer, Dr Phil Differ

Thank you to everyone who has supported our mission, whether philanthropically or in kind, you have made a real difference in 2022.