In December, we sat down with a number of alumnae to talk about our fundraising ambitions and to discuss ways we could highlight gifts in wills. Led by specialist Richard Radcliffe, these focus groups provided invaluable insights into how we can work together to support the next generation of Channing girls.

The research highlighted a deep, shared appreciation for our Unitarian ethos and the strong sense of community that makes Channing so special. It also revealed some important areas where we can improve:

• The Impact Gap: Many of our alumnae were unaware that the school has historically funded all bursaries internally.
• Clearer Communication: You told us you prefer shorter, more visual updates, like infographics, over dense text to help understand the school's financial landscape.
• The Power of Legacies: Most participants expressed that they hadn't left a gift in their will simply because they “hadn't thought about it," rather than any resistance to the idea.
• Targeted Giving: There is a strong preference for "restricted gifts," specifically supporting bursaries, to ensure donations have a direct impact on students.

We are just at the beginning of this journey and would love to hear from more members of our community.

• Learn More: Visit our Leave a Gift in Your Will page to see how a legacy gift works and discover the impact your support could have by visiting our Support Us page.
• Give Feedback: We value your perspective as we develop our communications. Please feel free to get in touch with any thoughts or questions.

Together, we can ensure that a Channing education remains available for generations to come.

Do you agree with your fellow alumnae?

Please share your thoughts with Mrs Grace Mitchell, our Development Manager, by emailing development@channing.co.uk