Innovative New Giving Method

The importance of creating a philanthropic legacy

Our innovative new fundraising method at Notting Hill & Ealing High School (NHEHS) recently won the IDPE School Fundraising Campaign of the Year 2023 award.

The groundbreaking ‘One Percent’ method has been designed to make regular giving as straightforward and accessible as possible. Parents are asked to donate an additional one percent of their child’s school fees towards the school’s new bursary appeal, which is then collected automatically with their regular fee payment.

True to our founders’ intentions in 1873, we want to make a firstclass education accessible to more young women and play a part in social mobility, especially within our local community. We are mindful of our responsibilities as a charity and are keen to be part of the national response to the opportunity gap crisis, particularly post-COVID.

The School’s 150th anniversary fell in September 2023 and, being passionate about giving our celebrations a philanthropic legacy, we launched the 150th Anniversary Bursary Appeal. This appeal aims to create a minimum of three new transformational bursaries. ‘Transformational’ means that 95% or more of pupils’ costs will be covered, thereby giving a disadvantaged student - with the ability but not the means - a way of accessing an NHEHS education.

We appealed for support across our communityto our alumnae, former parents and staff as well as current parents. We are acutely aware of the economic challenges paying our fees already pose and so for our current parents we created the groundbreaking, and now award-winning initiative, the ‘One Percent’ method.

It’s been a successful and accessible way of getting more families on board with regular giving and we now have a community of parents committed to supporting our new bursaries, not just now, but into the future.

Bursary recipient Noor Ahmed (class of 2022) can attest to the importance of receiving a bursary: “Both my parents developed significant health issues that led to poor mobility and unemployment. Having no family income other than benefits, a private education was far beyond what they could give me. Whenever it has been tricky, such as buying a leavers’ hoodie, going to the prom, or travelling to visit universities, NHEHS has been generous in ensuring I don’t miss out, for which I am so grateful. Here the teachers give you so much support; they really care. Being at NHEHS has made me realise that there isn’t a limit on what I can achieve. I have changed a lot here. My confidence and personality have grown and I have made lifelong friendships.”

As Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

SUSANNAH PEARCE Marketing and Communications Manager www.nhehs.gdst.net