Independent Schools Must Fundraise Differently
With VAT now applied to independent school fees, the financial structure underpinning much of the sector has drastically changed. What once felt like a distant policy threat is now a lived reality, one that demands action beyond short-term fixes.
At Fundraising Consultants Ltd (FCL), we believe that fundraising must now take its place alongside fees and endowment income as a core pillar of financial strategy. Schools that treat fundraising as a strategic tool, not only a means to fund bursaries, will be best equipped to manage uncertainty, protect standards, and plan confidently for the future.
It’s About Financial Sustainability—Not Just Access
Yes, the demand for bursaries will grow. But fundraising should serve a much wider purpose than bridging fee shortfalls. In today’s context, fundraising can and should support:
- Operational resilience
- Capital projects such as science labs, theatres, or sports facilities
- Long-term maintenance and buildings reserves
- Innovation in teaching and learning
- Digital infrastructure and IT upgrades
This is about future-proofing the school, not scrambling for short-term fixes.
Capital Projects Still Matter
The current climate may make bold capital projects feel out of reach but the need for them hasn’t disappeared. Classrooms still age. Facilities still need upgrading. And parents and alumni still want to see their support make a tangible difference.
A well-structured capital campaign can unite the school community around a shared vision and unlock transformational gifts even in uncertain times. With careful planning and professional guidance, schools can continue to build with ambition and purpose.
Fundraising Can Help You Plan, Not Just React
Schools that fundraise strategically can invest in the “boring” but essential: reserves for long-term maintenance, science equipment, or infrastructure upgrades that don’t grab headlines but are critical for stability.
Creating designated funds – such as buildings maintenance reserves or innovation funds – helps schools demonstrate responsible planning and attract support from donors who care about stewardship as much as sentiment.
Lessons from the U.S: A Proven Model
In the United States, philanthropic income is a built-in part of independent schools’ financial planning. Annual giving targets sit alongside admissions numbers in leadership dashboards. Heads of school and boards see fundraising not as optional, but as essential to educational excellence, stability, and ambition.
Crucially, these schools fundraise for everything. Bursaries, building maintenance, staff salaries, innovation programmes, capital projects, and strategic reserves all fall within the scope of a well-run development programme. The result? Resilient schools with diversified income streams, stronger alumni networks, and the freedom to plan for the future.
You Don’t Need to Be Eton to Succeed
While a select few schools often dominate the conversation, a growing number of UK independent schools are proving that meaningful, strategic fundraising is achievable and impactful at every level.
Schools like Bedales School, Bradfield College, Eltham College, King Alfred’s School, and King’s College Taunton have built strong fundraising programmes around values-led messaging, community engagement, and targeted campaigns for bursaries, facilities, and innovation.
These schools show that you don’t need centuries of royal patronage to succeed in fundraising. You need clarity, commitment, and a willingness to start building a culture of giving today.
This Is a Moment to Build a Culture of Giving
Fundraising is not just a finance tool – it’s a culture shift. Schools that start now to build habits of giving among parents, alumni, and even staff will create a more resilient institution in the long run.
By broadening the fundraising case beyond hardship and emergency, schools can appeal to a wider base of supporters who want to invest in quality, stability, and excellence.
FCL: A Strategic Partner for School Fundraising
At FCL, we help independent schools move beyond reactive fundraising. Whether you’re building your first annual fund, preparing for a capital campaign, or establishing an endowment strategy, FCL brings a pragmatic, tailored, partnership-led approach to our work.
