BURSARY & DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
SHAPING OUR COMMUNITY Ellie Sleeman, Director of Development and Engagement at St Paul’s School, gives an update on the progress of the Shaping our Future campaign.
When asked to apply for the role of Director of Development at St Paul’s I was living in Windsor with no intention of heading back into London. I came in to meet Professor Bailey and Governor Ali Summers and, almost despite myself, found my professional interest piqued as they talked eloquently and passionately about their fundraising ambition for St Paul’s. I looked at this impressive, historically significant school with its extraordinarily talented pupil and alumni body and felt a desire to help deliver their vision of more equal access – the way that it might have been when assisted places were part of the landscape.
M
y instinct was that the only way this could be done in a sustainable way was if we first built a greater sense of community; if OPs, parents and former parents felt an ongoing regular connection to the school, and if the fundraising ladder was pointed at the right wall, then the rest would surely follow. At that stage Professor Bailey handed over the communications and engagement remit too and my dream of escaping to the country was parked. What has followed has been a huge amount of generosity from OPs and parents as well as hard work from Governors, fellow staff members, volunteers and a very talented team. The plan has stayed consistent – listen to what is needed, build the community through increased engagement and by widening access to the extraordinary events and content the School has access to (through the Old Pauline Club and committed parent groups in particular) and then share a fundraising vision to inspire those who are able and keen to support.
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ATRIUM
SPRING / SUMMER 2021
Shaping Our Future We launched the £20m campaign at St Paul’s Cathedral in May 2019 with ambitious fundraising targets. Following consultation with our community, there were three elements: bursary and partnership work as the main strategic areas of focus (joint target of £10.4m), and building to inspire, which allowed provision for the West Pavilion and Boat House replacements (£2.5 and £7m respectively due to the complexities related to both builds), for those members of our community who wish to support capital projects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have held back on our fundraising work on the Boathouse, which leaves us with a target of £13m. I am pleased to report that together, in less than two years, we have raised over £11m. One of the most important elements was the scale of participation. We hoped that almost everyone in the Pauline community would feel able to give at a level right for them. We built on the 1509 Society model introduced
£11m has been raised in less than two years
Donations 2018-2020
■ ■ ■
Parents
71%
Old Paulines
26%
Other
3%
