50th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign draws to a close
The Ditchley Foundation established a 50th Anniversary Development Campaign in 2004 to consolidate its existing endowment and thereby maintain its position as a pre-eminent institution dedicated to enhancing knowledge, understanding and policy formation across a wide range of issues.
On 24 February 2008, the Ditchley Foundation celebrated the 50th anniversary of the signing of its Charter. The formal fundraising campaign has therefore now drawn to a close with a total of gifts and pledges in excess of £3,000,000.
This is short of the target £3,500,000, in what was a difficult economic environment for fundraisers. It nevertheless proved most helpful for the security of the Foundation and we are extremely grateful to all those individuals and organisations on both sides of the
To honour our principal donors, the Foundation commissioned a commemorative board, carved in English oak by local craftsman John Milnes. The board was unveiled on 11 July by our Honorary Life President, Lady Wills, JP, and the Chairman of the Council of Management, Sir John Major, KG CH.
While the Development Committee has now stood down, some fundraising activity will continue into the future. The practical constraints placed on our commercial activities by the historic fabric of the mansion make it necessary for Ditchley to continue to pursue funding opportunities where possible. An important element in this will be the continuation of a legacy programme, which will be launched in the next few months.
We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the Development Committee, under the Chairmanship of Mr John Weston, CBE, and those of our American and Canadian friends who continue to raise funds in their own countries.