Philanthropic recognition

It is the pleasure of the University to invite every alumna/us and friend to participate in the Durham Difference development programme.  We welcome your generosity in sustaining the work of Durham University and we pledge to be responsible stewards of your contributions.  We promise to inform you annually of the impact your gifts are having in the area(s) you choose to support and to reflect your generosity in our online Roll of Honour, if you desire.

To recognise donors making consistently substantial contributions, we have established the following giving levels:

Lifetime Giving

The 1832 Society

Members of The 1832 Society are those whose sustained giving and exceptional gifts secure the University's long-term strength and excellence. Membership is for individual donors or charitable trusts and foundations.  There are four tiers of recognition, or ‘high tables', within The 1832 Society, named in honour of those who founded the University:

• The 2nd Earl Grey's Table.  Membership belongs to those individuals who have made lifetime gifts of £1 million or more.  Grey was the politician and reformer who spurred the creation of Durham University in 1832.
• Bishop Van Mildert's Table.  Those individuals who have made lifetime gifts of £500,000-999,999 will be recognised at this level. Van Mildert was the last Prince Bishop who, encouraged by the 2nd Earl Grey, founded the University.  
• Archdeacon Thorp's Table.  This high table will include those individuals who have made lifetime gifts of £100,000-499,999.  Thorp was Van Mildert's principal advisor who laid the foundations of the University. 
• Canon Smith's Table.  This table acknowledges individual donors who have made lifetime contributions of £50,000-99,999.  Smith was instrumental in helping Thorp frame the statutes and curriculum of the University.

Note:  An institution making a gift of £50,000+ will be included in The 1832 Society for a period of five years at the levels delineated above.

Legacies

The Dunelm Circle

Memberships are awarded to friends and alumni who make legacy gifts/pledges.  Supporters who make legacy gifts of £50,000 or more to the University will become members of The 1832 Society.  Gifts can come in the form of financial and/or property bequests where confirmation of intent has been received in writing.

Benefits

All members of the above-mentioned gift clubs will receive invitations to prestigious events, a listing in the University's Roll of Honour; personal contact from the Vice-Chancellor, and other expressions of Durham's gratitude.