Donor Recognition

Donors are recognised as having membership of a specific group once cumulative gifts to the College at each level have been received, regardless of whether or not gifts are given as instalments, or in one lump sum.  Members of each group will receive appropriate invitations to College special occasions as set out below as well as, once at the cumulative £250,000 level, to University events and ceremonies. Special consideration is given by Keble to benefactors who donate £1mn or more to the College.

Friends

Friends are invited to an Annual Donor Drinks Party and the College Feast every five years. A cumulative gift of £10,000 is required to become a Friend. The 2011 Donor Drinks Party was held in the Strangers Dining Room at the Houses of Parliament in October.

Patrons

Recipients of this title are invited to the Annual Donor Drinks Party, the Carol Service followed by dinner at High Table, and an invitation, every two years, to the Feast. Gifts totalling £50,000 are required to become a Patron of Keble.

The Warden’s Court

Membership of this new tier of benefaction means that supporters and their partner or guest are honoured by invitation, in the Court’s name, to dine with the Warden in the Lodgings once a year. Recipients are recognised as leading Keble Patrons who have over time committed £100,000 to the College. Members are also invited to the Annual Feast, Annual Donor Drinks Party and the Carol Service and associated dinners.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Circle

The Vice-Chancellor’s Circle was launched in 2009 to recognise those individual, foundation and corporate benefactors who have provided generous support to a college. In addition to receiving regular communications from the Vice-Chancellor and other senior officers, members will be invited to special meetings of the Vice-Chancellor’s Circle. These occasions will showcase the breadth of intellectual talent at Oxford and the significant contribution to society of alumni and friends. The Circle will engage members in the diverse, ever-vibrant life and work of the collegiate University. Level of gift to Keble required £250,000.

Clarendon Arch

A member of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors may have their generosity to a college honoured by the engraving of their name in the Clarendon Arch, near the entrance of the historic Bodleian Library. Names already inscribed include such historic benefactors to Oxford as Sir Thomas Bodley, King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I, John Radcliffe, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, Cecil Rhodes and Queen Elizabeth II. A gift to Keble of £5mn enables access to this exclusive group.

The Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors

For substantial benefactions, the Chancellor can invite the colleges’ most significant supporters to become members of the prestigious Court of Benefactors. The Court meets each autumn in Oxford. This provides an opportunity for benefactors to have personal contact with the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Heads of Colleges and senior academics, and to meet with other members of the Court, developing an ever more personal relationship with the University and its colleges. Level of philanthropic gift to the College is £1.5mn for membership only and over £10mn to join the Fellowship.

The Sheldon Medal

The highest honour the University of Oxford can bestow is the Sheldon medal, reserved for an individual benefactor who has made a strategic difference to the life of the University. The medal is named after one of Oxford’s early benefactors, Gilbert Sheldon, who graduated from Oxford in 1620. It may only be awarded to one person each year and is restricted to members of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors. The presentation of the Medal is made by the Chancellor in Oxford’s historic Sheldonian Theatre. There have been four recipients of the Sheldon Medal since its inception in 2002. Lord Wolfson, FBA, Chairman of the Wolfson Foundation, Mr Wafic Rida Saïd, Dr James Martin and most recently (April 2010) to Michael Moritz and his wife, who donated US$50mn to Christ Church College.

University & Keble Events

Keble enjoys ongoing relationships with its benefactors, whose continuing involvement in the life of the University and the College may include taking part in a variety of events. Major benefactors will receive invitations to project related events, such as special lectures, sporting events and opening ceremonies. In the year of their significant benefaction, it is hoped that donors may join the University at its biggest celebration, Encaenia. Oxford sporting events include the annual Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race and Varsity matches.

Note: Gifts are gross (including Gift Aid). Benefactors are only eligible for recognition at a particular level once the amount has been received in full. All gifts are subject to the scrutiny of the College Development Committee and where necessary, the University Donations Acceptance Review Committee. All benefactors to the College, regardless of level, will be listed in annual College publications unless anonymity is requested.