Oxford has shaped the lives of generations of students and produced discoveries that have changed the world. For many former students and philanthropic supporters, giving back is a powerful way to ensure that this legacy continues.
A donation to the University is an investment in the future of education and innovation, allowing to help fund scholarships for talented students, support ground-breaking research, and strengthen Oxford’s colleges and departments. The University of Oxford makes it simple to contribute through a range of giving options, from one-off gifts to long-term philanthropic partnerships. You can see all the options below.
You may choose to have your gift acknowledged publicly or remain anonymous.
1. Donate Online
The easiest and most direct way to give is via the University’s secure online donation platform. You can make a one-off gift or set up a recurring donation (monthly, quarterly, yearly). Online payments typically accept credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and other secure payment methods and, during the online process, you can choose which fund or area of the University you would like to support (e.g., scholarships, departmental funds, greatest need).
👉 Visit the Donate section of the campaign website to start: https://www.campaign.ox.ac.uk/donate
2. Donate by Post
If you prefer to give by post, you can send a donation by cheque, CAF cheque, card payment form or Direct Debit form.
Download the appropriate giving form for your region (UK, USA, Hong Kong or global). You will need to include a Gift Aid declaration if you are a UK taxpayer so that the University can reclaim tax and increase your gift’s value.
👉 This is the UK donation form PDF: https://www.campaign.ox.ac.uk/file/donate/forms/uk-donation-form-2025.pdf
3. Large or Custom Gifts
For larger donations or bespoke giving arrangements, you can contact the University’s Development and Alumni Engagement team to discuss the best way to structure your gift, including options like bank transfers, gifts of assets, or planned giving. This is especially useful if giving amounts above the online limit or if you want to designate a specific project or long-term priority.
Oxford expresses deep appreciation to all donors and pledges to treat them with the highest standard of care and respect.
Oxford commits to:
- Promptly acknowledging all donations.
- Clearly explaining how donated funds will be used and ensuring they support the intended purpose.
- Keeping donors informed about the impact of their gifts and the University’s priorities.
- Providing access to the University’s financial accounts and information.
- Respecting donor privacy and being transparent about how donor data is used.
- Recognising contributions appropriately — and honouring requests for anonymity.
- Updating donors on supported initiatives, including appointments or student awards linked to their support.
4. Tax-Efficient and Special Giving Methods
Depending on where you live, you can make your gifts more impactful through tax-efficient giving schemes.
UK
- Gift Aid: UK taxpayers can increase the value of their donation at no extra cost – the University can reclaim tax on eligible gifts.
- Payroll Giving: Give directly from your salary with immediate tax relief.
- Gifts of Shares: Donating stocks or shares can give additional tax relief, including on capital gains tax.
Europe
- Schemes such as Transnational Giving Europe (TGE) help European residents make tax-effective cross-border donations.
United States
- US residents can give tax-efficiently through Americans for Oxford, Inc., which is recognised as a 501(c)(3) charitable organisation.
Canada & Australia
- Canadian and Australian donors can access tax benefits through designated schemes and partner organisations.
5. Directing Your Gift
When you give, you can support a specific department, college, museum or institute or contribute to the University’s Greatest Need fund, which provides flexibility for urgent and high-impact priorities.
2026 Oxford Donation Appeals
The current appeals you can support at the time of writing this guide include:
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Palestine Crisis Scholarship: Your contribution will help us expand support for students impacted by the crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, providing scholarships, financial aid, and pastoral care.
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Oxford Cancer: Support vital progress in cancer prevention, treatment, and early detection through groundbreaking research.
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Brain Health: Help advance research into innovative solutions for brain health issues, including dementia, depression, and related challenges.
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Sir Roger Bannister Running Track: In celebration of 70 years since Sir Roger Bannister’s historic sub-four-minute mile, the University is redeveloping the Iffley Road running track.
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Law: Your gift will allow the University to offer additional graduate scholarships to talented students shaping our shared future.
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Ashmolean: Contribute to the museum’s work in conservation, leading research, and inspiring public engagement.
You can see the full list of fundraaising categories at https://www.campaign.ox.ac.uk/donate
Conclusion
For alumni wishing to honour the opportunities they received, and for individuals of means seeking to make a lasting impact, supporting Oxford is a meaningful way to create change that will be felt for generations to come.
