The inauguration opening speakers: Chair of the University Board Margot Wallström, Vice-Chancellor Per Eriksson and Director, Development Office Ulrika Nilsson

Curious visitors flocked to Universitetshuset for the launch of Lund University’s first ever fundraising campaign. There is a lot of interest in philanthropy, as manifested in the lively discussions heard on the floor. The atmosphere was vibrant as students and researchers mingled and networked with members of the public, the press and business representatives during the open afternoon.

At the inauguration ceremony, which featured speeches by Vice-Chancellor Per Eriksson and Chair of the University Board Margot Wallström, the target for the campaign was also revealed: SEK 3 billion is to be raised by the end of the University’s 350th anniversary celebrations in January 2018. A common thread in the speakers’ presentations was the importance of donations from a broad range of donors. The important thing is not how much you give – rather that you give!

When the doors opened at 13:00 on this cold Friday afternoon, many expectant guests were already waiting outside. Once inside the warmth of Universitetshuset, most of the 150 visitors gravitated towards the three information stands, where staff of the Development Office, Research Services and Alumni Relations showed how they work to attract external capital and to connect former students and researchers with their younger counterparts. One of the most frequent questions being asked was clear: “How can I help?”
“We are the first university in Sweden and one of the first in Europe to start a platform for crowdfunding for research and education. We want to create a culture of giving and to show that philanthropy can involve both large and small donations. On our campaign website, which is also being launched today, we describe how easy this is and what tools you can use. The website serves to display a few of the many fantastic projects in which people can get involved. It is also a key platform for communication and interaction with our alumni and friends”, said Ulrika Nilsson, head of the Development Office.

The campaign is the largest ever in the Nordic countries for donations from the private sector to a university. The goal is to build lifelong relationships, nationally and internationally, with alumni and friends, and highlight the role of the private sector in research and education. SEK 3 billion is the monetary target. Of this, SEK 2 billion will come from the University’s existing work with private sector financiers. The hope is that the extra billion will be raised through intensified efforts, more friends, deeper relationships, excellent research and satisfied graduates.

Mutual exchange
In his speech, Vice-Chancellor Per Eriksson talked about how external donors have the opportunity to help speed up the advancement of research. Many donors and partners already contribute to the development of the University. Ulrika Nilsson was in agreement:
“The campaign is a way to move up a gear and put the spotlight on the University’s work with fundraising. We are mustering our strength and improving our shared ability to attract funding from private foundations, businesses and individuals. The work is long-term and will continue well beyond our 350th anniversary. We want to improve our cooperation with businesses, foundations and private individuals and create new interfaces for donations. Key to our success is our ability to establish, develop and maintain our relationships with alumni, funders, partners and friends. This has to be our focus – without that there will be no donations! It is when a donor’s desire and interest encounter a need at Lund University that it all comes together”, said Ulrika Nilsson.

Photo gallery from the open afternoon

Lund University remains the most popular choice in Sweden for international students, with 1/3 of the total 39,000 applicants choosing a Lund University Master’s programme in the current application round. Over 13,100 applicants applied to our Master’s programmes starting autumn 2014. This is an increase of 14% compared to the 11,500 students who applied in the 2013 application round.

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On Friday, 24 January, Lund University will be launching its first ever fundraising campaign: “For a better world”.

The campaign follows on from a long tradition of giving, in which patrons, foundations and businesses have supported the activities of the University since 1666.

Over the run-up to the University’s 350th anniversary, the University will be placing special focus on donations.

The work now starting is a long-term and important project. The aim is to expand contact with the private sector in order to generate a greater in-flow of additional resources for research, education, equipment and premises.

In order to celebrate the start of the campaign, a launch event will be held on 24 January in the atrium of Universitetshuset.

Both staff and students are welcome to attend the launch of the fundraising campaign and find out about the fundraising work that takes place at the University.

Chair of the University Board Margot Wallström and Vice-Chancellor Per Eriksson will officially launch the campaign at 14:00 with Ulrika Nilsson, Head of the Development Office.

Representatives of the Development Office will be there to present the campaign and the tools available for researchers and students to attract their own philanthropic capital.

Research Services will also be present to demonstrate how to find external funding through traditional research applications, and the alumni network will be talking about methods for effective networking.

Take the opportunity to come to Universitetshuset and be inspired by how our fundraising works.

What: Open house in conjunction with the launch of the fundraising campaign

When: 24 January 2014, 13:00–16:00, launch 14:00–14:30

Where: Atrium, Universitetshuset, Paradisgatan 2, Lund.

Light refreshments will be served.

Margaretha Grind Bundy, chair of the foundation, and Göran Bundy talking to Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Lund University.

Lund University’s research in cardiology and neurology has received a major donation from siblings Eva and Göran Bundy, who have chosen to start a foundation to support research in two important areas of medical research.

SEK 10 million has already been donated to the Siblings Eva and Göran Bundy Foundation for Medical Research at Lund University and a further SEK 60 million, mainly in the form of shares, has been bequeathed to the foundation, making these the largest private donations to the University in modern times.

Göran Bundy has a law degree from Lund University and has worked as a diplomat in many of the world’s troubled regions. Now retired, he has returned to his childhood Skåne. “Both I and my sister are childless and we decided early on that we wanted our money to help improve the lives of coming generations. Our family has been affected by both cardiological and neurological diseases and these areas are therefore close to our hearts”, said Göran Bundy. “Lund University means a lot to me and as a former student I am pleased to be able to give something to the University and to Skåne in this way”, continued Göran Bundy.

Per Eriksson, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University, is very pleased and grateful for the donation: “Gifts from private individuals mean an enormous amount to our research. Research today requires a lot of resources to achieve results, and we need funding from many different quarters to conduct world-class research. In the US, for instance, there is a long tradition of alumni donating money to their alma mater, i.e. their former university. We are working to encourage this at Lund University too, and the Bundys are a role model. Giving to the University is a unique opportunity for private individuals to directly support research in important fields.”

The Siblings Eva and Göran Bundy Foundation for Medical Research at Lund University has already announced a first round of grants for young postdoctoral researchers in neurology and cardiology at Lund University.

Would you like to make a donation to research at Lund University? All contributions, both large and small, are needed and welcome! With your help, we can create more research breakthroughs for a better world.