What’s Keble’s 150 Birthday Challenge?

On 6th of June we celebrate Keble's birthday. Whilst 2020 is proving to be a challenging year, it is also a milestone for Keble. The Keble 150 Birthday Giving Day is a chance to connect with friends, have some fun and help to keep up the good work. It's a 36 hour 'day' so that alumni right across the world can take part. Please spread the word, say "Happy Birthday Keble!", post messages, pics and even videos on social media using #Keble150. Please also give a birthday gift if you can. You can choose to help us address current priorities which are now even more pressing than ever, or projects that JCR and MCR would like to fund for the benefit of students still living in College and will benefit all students when they do get to come back. Your gift will keep up the incredible and vital support of alumni and friends for all students at Keble.

What's the Talbot Fund?

Named after the first Warden of Keble, Edward Talbot, the Talbot Fund was launched in 2002 with the objective of asking all alumni to help shape the College’s future by making a regular, modest contribution to help support the College and its students. Now established as one of the strongest annual funds in the Collegiate University, the Talbot Fund attracts support from all generations of alumni, 26% of whom made a gift in 2018-19. With cash income now at c£1.25 million+ per year the Talbot Fund provides the equivalent of a £40 million endowment, hugely important for a College with an actual endowment of c£50 million and in which the cost of an undergraduate education is roughly double what we receive from student fees and demand for graduate student funding is increasing.

How can I make a gift?

Click ‘Give Now’ button to make your gift. From there you will be able to follow instructions to make your gift online and leave a message. As every gift made today qualifies for the ‘#Keble150 Birthday Challenge’ we would be grateful if you can make your gift straightaway!

Why does my gift matter to Keble?

It matters greatly because….

• your support will provide immediate help for the College and its students in the area you choose. If you don’t choose a specific designation, the Governing Body will allocate your gift to the area of greatest need.
• your gift joins forces with those of other donors to maximise the funding available for all students.
• your help underpins our work to support talented students individually and collectively so that they can make the most of their time here and achieve their full potential.
• your gift today will also help us to realise an extra £150k from our Challenge Gifts!

Can my gift go towards something at Keble that matters to me?

Yes, when making a gift you can choose a particular area of College life such as Undergrad or Grad Support, Student Hardship, Community & Outreach, or towards the restoration of the Hall. If there's something specific that’s not listed above please email: talbot.fund@keble.ox.ac.uk and we'll be happy to help.

How many noughts should my gift have?

That's entirely up to you! For this year's Challenge, more important than size is frequency. If you can donate, say £25 or even £150, please do consider if you might be able to do so once a year. You will maximise the match AND qualify for a special blue brick if you do!

What's the Talbot Society?

The Talbot Society recognises and thanks regular donors for the important contribution they make to the life of the College. Regular giving is valuable in several ways; as a reliable income stream which helps the College to plan ahead effectively whilst keeping administration and fundraising costs down. All new members this year will qualify for a special anniversary blue brick. Members also receive a Talbot Society pin and event invitations. One in four Keble alumni are current members of the Society. Just click the 'give now' button above to make a regular gift and we’d be delighted to welcome you too.