Footprint carpet on stairs at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

Support us

Today we run a world class education programme thanks to the continuing vision of many extraordinary and talented tutors, crafts people and supporters of our work.If you share our passion for historic conservation and the arts, and for our tranquil and inspiring gardens and grounds, please become more involved.

West Dean was founded thanks to the vision of an extraordinary man, Edward James, who was passionate about teaching traditional heritage and craft skills. Today we run a world class education programme thanks to the continuing vision of many extraordinary and talented tutors, crafts people and supporters of our work.

If you share our passion for historic conservation and the arts, and for our tranquil and inspiring gardens and grounds, please become more involved.
 

HOW TO DONATE

Make a donation, offer a scholarship or bursary to a promising student, or pledge a gift in your will. Your support will make a vital and lasting difference.

To make a one-off donation to support degree and diploma or short course scholarships and bursaries at our West Dean and London campus' or to support West Dean Gardens using your credit or debit card donation, please call our Finance team on +44 (0)1243 818310.

To set up a regular gift to support one of the above campaigns, please download our direct debit form and follow the return instructions. 

To make a direct transfer to support one of the above campaigns or to discuss your plans, please email [email protected] or call the Student Funding and Outreach Team on 01243 818300 (option 5).

Thank you for your support!

Giving Tuesday at West Dean - The credits for the video: Photography: Roy Matthews Animation: meta-motion.co.uk Music: Elizabeth Leondaritis

Ways to give

Your gift enables us to provide education in conservation and creative arts and preserve the rich heritage of West Dean. Find out about how you can make your gift tax-efficient.

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Appeals

Read more about the projects we are most urgently seeking funds for. Whatever the value, your support will make a difference.

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Gift in your will

Help to preserve this unique and special place by remembering us in your will. Your gift secures the future of West Dean College and Gardens.

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Scholarships & bursaries

In a challenging economic climate with limited funding for postgraduate studies, providing financial support for our students through Scholarships and Bursaries is more important than ever.

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In memory of our kind donors at West Dean College

In memory

Find out about some of the wonderful people who have inspired scholarships and bursaries in their names. Scholarships and bursaries are a vital source of support for many of our students, enabling them to pursue their studies and career aspirations in creative arts, conservation and heritage craft skills, skills vital in the preservation of our national and international heritage, and the many objects held in our care for the benefit of future generations. Could it be the prompt you need to support our talented students?

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Our fundraising promise

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We commit to high standards

  • We adhere to the Fundraising Code of Practice
  • We monitor fundraisers, volunteers and third parties working with us to raise funds, to ensure that they comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice and with this Promise
  • We comply with the law as it applies to charities and fundraising
  • We display the Fundraising Regulator badge on our fundraising material to show we are committed to good practice

We are clear, honest and open

  • We tell the truth and we do not exaggerate
  • We do what we say we are going to do with donations we receive
  • We are clear about who we are and what we do
  • We give a clear explanation of how you can make a gift and change a regular donation
  • If we ask a third party to fundraise on our behalf, we will make this relationship and the financial arrangement transparent
  • We can explain our fundraising costs and show how they are in the best interests of our cause if challenged
  • We ensure our complaints process is clear and easily accessible
  • We provide clear and evidence-based reasons for our decisions on complaints

We are respectful

  • We respect your rights and privacy
  • We will not put undue pressure on you to make a gift. If you do not want to give or wish to cease giving, we will respect your decision
  • We have a procedure for dealing with people in vulnerable circumstances and it is available on request
  • Where the law requires, we will gain your consent before we contact you to fundraise
  • If you tell us that you don’t want us to contact you in a particular way we will not do so. 

We are fair and reasonable

  • We treat donors and the public fairly, showing sensitivity and adapting our approach depending on your needs
  • We take care not to use any images or words that intentionally cause distress or anxiety
  • We take care not to cause nuisance or disruption to the public

We are accountable and responsible

  • We manage our resources responsibly and consider the impact of our fundraising on our donors, supporters and the wider public
  • If for any reason, you are unhappy with anything we’ve done whilst fundraising, we hope you’ll contact us and tell us. We will listen to your feedback and respond appropriately to any compliments or criticism we receive
  • We have a complaints procedure, a copy of which is available on request.  This also explains how to contact the Fundraising Regulator in the event that you feel our response is unsatisfactory
  • We monitor and record the number of complaints we receive each year and share this data with the Fundraising Regulator on request

If you have any questions or would like to speak to us about our fundraising promise then you can email us at [email protected] or call us on 01243 818300 (option 5).

So many of the wonderful things that happen at West Dean College and Gardens are made possible thanks to your support and generosity. 

We are a proud member of The Fundraising Regulator which is how you know that when you make a donation to us you can be confident that our fundraising is legal, open, honest and respectful.

Help preserve our future

We are part of a registered charity and rely on the support of generous donors, members and legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation, design and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.

Find out how to support us