Recognising your Support
We are very grateful for every donation we receive and we like to acknowledge your generosity. All donors, of any amount, are listed in the annual College Record, unless you prefer to remain anonymous. We have also established a number of giving circles to recognise and celebrate our supporters.
Scholarships, Bursaries, and other named awards
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, Lincoln has a large number of scholarships, bursaries, and other awards available to help with the financial burdens our students face. These range from fully-funded scholarships for graduate students, to undergraduate bursaries, and a number of special awards such as travel grants and choral scholarships. When the full cost of one of these is covered by a donation, we are usually able to offer the donor the opportunity to name the award. We hold an annual Bursarians’ Dinner for donors and recipients, and donors will generally receive an annual letter of thanks from the recipient of the award.
Fellowship support
The tutorial Fellowship is the cornerstone of teaching at Lincoln, but comes at a high financial cost to the College. We welcome donations to support individual Fellowships, or subjects. These can cover the full cost of the Fellowship, in which case we are often able to offer the opportunity to name the Fellowship; or they can contribute towards the costs of teaching in a particular subject. Our Fellowship Clubs are a way for alumni to pool together to support particular subject areas. The Fellowship Club recognises anyone who makes a commitment of £10,000 or more over three years (including Gift Aid where applicable). These Clubs provide donors with an opportunity to meet fellow members of the Club, current Fellows and students, and to hear more about developments in these subjects.
Room naming
Lincoln has offered room-naming opportunities in several fundraising campaigns. We are currently fundraising in support of the Mitre refurbishment project, and have a number of student bedrooms available to name. More information is available here.
Giving Circles
Lincoln has established a number of special recognition circles, to acknowledge the generosity of our donors.
- Murray Society
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Those who make provisions in their Will for Lincoln, or give through another deferred giving vehicle, are invited to join the Murray Society. Named after a much-loved Rector and educational reformer, Keith Murray, the Murray Society is open to anyone who has made this type of commitment, including spouses/partners who have mirror wills. We hope to have 600 members by the time of our 600th anniversary in 2027-28.
Legacies have historically been the means by which Lincoln has increased its endowments, and the Murray Society allows the College to express its very real gratitude through events and other benefits including:
- Invitations to two annual Murray Days; one at Lincoln and one at an interesting venue in the UK
- An annual issue of The Grove newsletter
- A Murray Society tie and/or lady's scarf for you and your spouse/partner
- Rotherham Circle
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The Rotherham Circle was established to thank all those who make leadership gifts to the Annual Appeal (gifts of at least £1,427 a year), and the role that members play in advancing Lincoln's strategic goals. Donors are invited to an annual summer luncheon, with a guest, to hear College updates and see the projects their generosity has helped to fund. Membership lasts for the length of the leadership donation.
- Dean John Forest Circle
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This recognition circle, named after one of our earliest benefactors, recognises cumulative gifts between £25k and £50k. Members will receive a certificate and will be listed separately in the College Record. They will be invited to attend selected invitation-only events, such as Fellowship Clubs, on an occasional basis.
- Emmelina Carr Circle
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Emmelina Carr left the College a substantial legacy upon her death in 1436, which included the Bear Lane property behind High Street. The Emmelina Carr Circle recognises those who have made cumulative gifts between £50k and £250k. Members of this Circle will receive a certificate and will be listed separately in the College Record. They will be offered membership of the Murray Society and invited to other special events.
- Thomas Marshall Circle
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Dr Thomas Marshall, Rector of Lincoln (1672-1685), was an impressive scholar and generous benefactor to the College. The Thomas Marshall Circle recognises those who have made cumulative gifts of more than £250k. Members of this Circle will receive a certificate and will be listed separately in the College Record. They will be offered membership of the Murray Society and invited to other College events, including meetings of a Fellowship Club and to the annual Lord Crewe Supper held in College.
