Chelmsford C pattern on wall with cyclist going past

Home 5 By Solution 5 Design, Print and Mail Campaigns 5 St Anne’s Homes for the future campaign

Building a Legacy: St Anne’s £5 Million Fundraising Campaign

The Client

St Anne’s College, one of the largest and most distinguished colleges within the University of Oxford, is home to over 400 undergraduates. Renowned for its rich heritage and commitment to providing a nurturing environment for its students, the college sought the expertise of The Graphic Design House after being impressed by the impactful campaign we delivered for Exeter College.

St Anne’s ambitious yet vital mission was to raise £5 million for the regeneration of the Bevington Road Houses, accommodation that has welcomed generations of students but now required urgent repairs.

The Opportunity

There was a clear need for international students and their families to feel reassured that St Anne’s College offers a comfortable and secure environment. The opportunity lay in developing a compelling fundraising campaign that not only resonated with alumni and potential donors but also reinforced the college’s commitment to its students’ well-being. This campaign needed to communicate the urgency of the repairs while evoking a sense of home and community that St Anne’s is known for.

“The Graphic Design House worked closely with us to produce a brochure for a major fundraising campaign. They were attentive and friendly, and we were thrilled with their innovative design, and the quality of the brochures and service provided.”

Jay Gilbert
Communications Manager
St Anne’s College Oxford

Our Approach

Concept Development. We began our process with an on-site visit to St Anne’s College to meet with and better understand our client while exploring the Bevington Road Houses firsthand. Why was this important? This visit allowed us to truly understand the college’s needs, the significance of the Bevington Road Houses, and the emotional connection that many alumni have to these spaces.

Building the Theme of ‘Home’. During our brainstorming sessions, we honed in on the concept of ‘home’ to craft a campaign that evokes feelings of comfort, safety and belonging. St Anne’s long-standing commitment to providing a ‘home from home’ made this theme a natural fit.

The theme also offered a unique opportunity to visually embody St Anne’s core values – “forward-looking and outward-facing”- while establishing a personal connection with potential donors. We incorporated the distinctive shape of St Anne’s windows into the design, symbolising these values and creating a visual bridge between the college’s rich history and its aspirational future.

Comprehensive Campaign Materials. Our campaign featured a suite of meticulously crafted materials, including a major donor brochure, a dedicated microsite, and a direct mail campaign. Each element was designed to complement the others, delivering a cohesive and compelling message across all touchpoints. We also introduced bespoke ‘Recognition Opportunity Cards,’ adding a thoughtful touch that made potential donors feel appreciated and deeply connected to the campaign’s mission.

Results

The response to the campaign has been really positive. It has already started to create a sense of community and urgency among potential donors, highlighting the importance of this project for the future of the college. We’re excited to continue building this campaign, working closely with St Anne’s College to reach the £5 million goal.

Next Steps

Our focus will be on expanding the reach of the campaign and continuing to engage with alumni and donors. By maintaining the momentum we’ve built, we aim to help St Anne’s secure the necessary funds to regenerate the Bevington Road Houses, ensuring that the College remains a comfortable and secure home for future generations of students to come.