The Power of Philanthropy: Supporting Students, Research and Communities
Over the past year, philanthropic supporters including corporate partners, charitable trusts and foundations, alumni and friends have helped transform lives across the University of Salford. Their generosity has created opportunities for students, strengthened research and delivered lasting benefits for communities locally and beyond. Reflecting the growing impact of this support, more than £2.7 million is expected to be raised this year.
Scholarships that open doors to student success
A core focus of Salford’s philanthropic activity is ensuring that talented students can access higher education and succeed regardless of background. This year, supporters funded more than 70 new scholarships, bringing the total number of students currently benefiting from scholarship support to over 125.
These scholarships help remove financial barriers, provide access to valuable experiences and allow students to concentrate on their academic and career ambitions. As one recipient noted, the support provided financial stability, reduced stress and enabled them to focus fully on their goals.
Philanthropic giving also supports widening participation initiatives. Through the Plug into Salford programme, 43 first-generation students were supported in beginning their university journey. The programme helps students build confidence, connect with peers and student ambassadors, and develop a strong sense of belonging before arriving on campus. Many participants described the experience as transformational and reported feeling more prepared for university life.
Lasting impact through legacy giving
Legacy gifts continue to play a significant role in creating opportunities for future generations. The gift from Robert and Ann Oxley will provide scholarships for 32 engineering students over the next five years, helping recipients pursue successful careers while contributing to Salford’s strengths in engineering innovation and research.
Legacy funding is also expanding access to research careers. Supported by the Brian Oldroyd Legacy Fund, the Summer Research Pathway Programme offers students from widening participation backgrounds paid research opportunities, professional development and hands-on experience alongside academic supervisors. Since launching in 2023 with 12 students, the programme has supported 101 second-year undergraduates, creating pathways into postgraduate study and research careers.
Partnerships creating opportunities
Collaboration with external partners remains central to Salford’s philanthropic success. At MediaCity, Cellnex UK funded the 15-week National Saturday Club programme, Unfiltered: Stories for Social Justice, which provided young people aged 13 to 16 with training in podcasting and filmmaking. The initiative helps improve access to creative industries while encouraging participants to explore issues affecting their communities through digital storytelling.
Long-term partnerships continue to deliver meaningful impact. The University’s collaboration with Morson Group, now spanning more than a decade, has supported over 70 students and thousands of young learners through scholarships, outreach activities and the Morson Maker Space. The partnership has helped widen access to STEM education, promote social mobility and develop future regional skills.
The University also celebrated 10 years of partnership with MGF and five years of support from Temporary Works forum, both of which continue to help engineering students access opportunities and progress into successful careers.
Since 2021, the Harrington Foundation and HG Capital have supported students pursuing STEM degrees, with a further 10 students benefiting in 2025-26 through HG Access to Tech Scholarships and new Harrington Foundation Environmental Scholarships.
Investing in Research and Innovation
Philanthropic support is helping shape the future of research at Salford. A £700,000 gift from the Wolfson Foundation will equip the new REMEDY centre within the Thrive building, creating The Wolfson Centre for Human Movement Research. Opening in 2027, the facility will support research aimed at improving mobility, independence and quality of life.
Meanwhile, a £600,000 gift from the Garfield Weston Foundation will support the continued development of Energy House Labs, including a new test house and expanded research into retrofit solutions that can help create warmer, more sustainable homes and support the UK’s journey to Net Zero.
Together, these contributions continue to open doors, change lives and create lasting opportunities across the University of Salford community. We are grateful to the supporters whose generosity continues to open doors, change lives and create opportunities across our university community. If you would like to find out more about leaving a gift in your Will or reconnecting with Salford through a campus visit, please contact the Philanthropy, Alumni and Supporter Engagement team at supporters@salford.ac.uk.
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