Alumni Association
Everyone should have the same access to education, yet so many people are unable to pursue learning due to personal and societal barriers. We want to change this and ensure everyone can access learning opportunities and unlock their potential. That’s why from 9am on Thursday 7th July until 9pm on Friday 8th July we will be holding a Giving Day – 36 hours to rewrite futures and transform lives and we need your help.
We believe that where you start in life shouldn’t limit where you go, and that with the right tools and support, anyone can pursue their passion through life-long learning. Do you share our mission? Can you help us break down the barriers to education by becoming a Futuremaker?
All you need to do is organise a fundraising event or take part in a challenge and raise money for our life-changing Open Futures Fund.
From bake sales and sponsored runs, to nature walks and everything in between, our past and current Futuremakers have found imaginative ways to raise awareness and funds to transform lives.
Once you’ve set yourself a challenge, the next step is to seek sponsorship. You can do this by spreading the word among friends and family and encouraging them to support you in your challenge or activity. Social media is a great tool as it can reach large numbers of people – take a look at the Futuremaker toolkit for eye-catching graphics you can use to promote your challenge or event.
Every single penny you raise will go towards the Open Futures Fund, providing more life-changing scholarships, bursaries, and financial support to current and future OU students.
Unsure about what activity or challenge to plan? Read some of our top tips and hear from Bradley, another Futuremaker.
To start your journey as a Futuremaker register here.
The Open Futures Fund provides life-changing scholarships, bursaries and support to students who would otherwise miss out on education.
Open Futures is truly at the heart of the OU’s mission to make education accessible to all and is only possible thanks to the support of alumni and donors. Together, we are breaking down barriers to education, stopping potential from going to waste and ensuring everyone – regardless of background – has the opportunity to pursue their ambitions. So far, the Fund has allowed hundreds of students to transform their lives through accessing education thanks to the bursaries and scholarships.
The Open Futures Fund encompasses the Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund, Carers Scholarships Fund, and a range of bursaries, targeting individuals who face barriers due to disability, financial difficulty and other circumstances that place them at a disadvantage. We are delighted to announce that the University is extending our Open Futures Fund to include scholarships and bursaries specifically to support Black students to address the inequalities in Higher Education and launching Sanctuary Scholarships which will offer free education to people arriving in the UK to seek refuge. You can read more about The Open Futures Fund and the different scholarships and bursaries it provides here.
Being a Futuremaker can truly change lives. Many of our students who received support via the Open Futures Fund now have the confidence focus and determination to forge a new life for themselves, their families and communities.
Whether you’re an individual, group or corporate looking to make a difference, we’d love you to join our dedicated team of Futuremakers and help us rewrite more futures. To start your journey as a Futuremaker register here.