FAQs

Our Shaping the World philanthropic campaign will enable LSE to invest in the ideas and initiatives that ensure we deliver on our LSE 2030 vision to create and drive positive global change through the social sciences and shape the world, for good. Together, we will:

• provide support for talented students from all backgrounds
• back the world-leading research that shapes real-world policy and inspires the next generation
• create a vibrant academic environment in London, online and around the world.

You can support LSE by donating online, by email, telephone, post or in person.

Find out more

Tax-efficient giving can apply to both regular unrestricted gifts and major gift donations. There are also inheritance tax benefits to leaving a legacy gift to LSE in your will. Find out how you can make your donation tax-efficient, not only in the UK, but also if you are giving from Europe, Germany, the US and Canada.

Find out more

Yes, when you make your gift to our Campaign you can choose which priority area you would like to support. You can do so via any page on this Shaping the World site, or via the links below:

Donate online
Other ways to give

There are many ways for you to be a part of our Campaign. We’d love you to join in our programme of major events and for you to make full use of the LSE content and resources.

We also have a range of advocacy and volunteering opportunities through which you can join in, help us to tell the world about LSE and share your expertise.

Join in

You can update your details by filling in our online form. Updating your details will allow you to receive our alumni and friends enewsletter, receive notifications of alumni and friends events in your area, and find out how you can support LSE.

Update my details

There are three types of gifts you can leave to LSE.

• A share/percentage of what’s left over from your estate after other gifts and expenses have been paid. This type of gift is hugely valuable to LSE as they tend to maintain or increase in value overtime. Even a small percentage can have deliver huge impact.
• A specific cash amount
• A specific item such as property, valuable artwork or stocks and shares that we would sell.

A gift to LSE does not attract any tax as it is a recognised charity. In the UK currently, the value of your gift is deducted from the estate’s value before inheritance tax is calculated. Inheritance Tax rules can change, so please seek legal advice to discuss the contents of your Will.

Yes you can. Please talk to our Legacies Manager if you wish to express a specific direction for your legacy gift.

Viet-Anh Hua – Legacies Manager

Tel: +44 (0)20 7852 3654
Email: legacy@lse.ac.uk

To create a gift in perpetuity, also known as an endowment, you should be contemplating a significant gift of at least six figures, as that sum will be required to generate annual income of a sufficiently material size.

The School invests these funds in a total return endowment, using the interest and appreciation earned by that principal. If you are considering an endowment, you are encouraged to talk to the School’s Legacies Manager who can work with you to ensure your gift carries out your wishes in the most effective way.

Viet-Anh Hua – Legacies Manager

Tel: +44 (0)20 7852 3654
Email: legacy@lse.ac.uk

Including LSE in your estate plans without having to rewrite your Will is possible. Your solicitor is best placed to advise you on how to add a codicil to your Will without having to re-write it. LSE can also benefit from a life insurance and/or company pension which sits outside of your Will.

LSE can be nominated as a whole, joint or partial beneficiary of a life insurance policy or company pension. It is important to nominate on the appropriate form who you would like to receive the benefits, which can be requested from your Scheme provider. Without your wishes on file, the Scheme Trustees will be obligated to explore potential beneficiaries which could take some time and, more importantly, not be in line with your wishes.

Only if you give us permission to list your name publicly in our communications. 

LSE has a special relationship with the USA. The School is proud of and strengthened by the achievements of our US alumni community. The American Fund for LSE enables alumni and friends of LSE in the United States to demonstrate your own pride in LSE by investing in the future of the School through annual and regular giving.

The American Fund for LSE is a non-profit "501(c)(3)" organization based in New York, tax number: 52-1908117.

Donations made to the American Fund for LSE are tax deductible. These can be made online, or by sending a check made payable to the American Fund for LSE. You can also download and complete a gift form and return it to the American Fund's New York office at the address below.

American Fund for LSE
31 Hudson Yards
Floor 11
New York,
NY 10001

Donate online
Download postal giving form

To explore opportunities that align with your personal priorities and LSE’s core goals, please contact Jill Slattery, Director of Principal Gifts for the Americas

Tel: +1 917 568 7863
Email: j.slattery@lse.ac.uk

The London School of Economics and Political Science is a School of the University of London. It is a charity and is incorporated in England as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Acts.   

Reg no. 70527  

Registered office  
The London School of Economics and Political Science,  
Houghton Street,  
London WC2A 2AE,  
UK;  
Tel: +44 (0)20 7405 7686 

The London School of Economics and Political Science ("LSE" or "School") is registered at the UK Information Commissioner’s Office as a Data Controller of personal data. We are committed to the safety and security of your personal data and to compliance with the Data Protection Act of 1998.

LSE Philanthropy and Global Engagement is a division of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). LSE is the data controller for the purposes of data protection legislation and will safeguard and process your personal data in accordance with such legislation.

The personal data we hold is used for a range of alumni activities and to further LSE’s strategic aims and legitimate interests by encouraging non-financial and financial support for LSE. This includes fundraising programmes via post, telephone and email. If you do not wish your information to be used in this way or you have any questions about the information we hold about you, please contact LSE Philanthropy and Global Engagement.

For further information about the way LSE Philanthropy and Global Engagement processes personal data please refer to our Privacy Statement.

The School has had procedures in place for the ethical review of grants and donations since 2012. These policy and procedures were revised in 2019 and 2021.

External Funding Acceptance Procedures
External Funding Acceptance Policy

Our External Funding Acceptance Policy sets out what donors to the School should expect in their relationship with LSE Philanthropy and Global Engagement.

External Funding Acceptance Policy

The London School of Economics and Political Science is extremely grateful to those who choose to support its work and to ensure that donors receive the highest level of care and respect for their generosity, LSE Philanthropy and Global Engagement assures that:

1. Donations are accepted in accordance with the principles and standards set out in the School’s External Funding Acceptance Policy.

2. All donations, when undesignated, will be used for such purposes as the School judges will best advance its priorities. Where the donor expresses a preference for the application of their donation, the School will take the greatest care to ensure that such wishes are carried out.

3. A gift restricted for a specific purpose will be used for that purpose. If there is a change in the priorities or needs of the School, or in the case of funding an academic position, a change in personnel, then the use of donation will be discussed with the donor or their representative.

4. All donors will be thanked and acknowledged in a timely manner.

5. All donors will be publicly recognised, unless the donor informs us that they wish to remain anonymous.

6. The personal information of all donors will be kept secure in accordance with Data Protection Act 1998 and the  School's Data Protection Policy.

7. All donors will be informed of the impact of their donation, including recruitment for a post they have funded, outputs of research they have supported, the award of a scholarship or bursary that they have funded. Donors will also be informed about the School’s evolving needs, priorities and initiatives.

8. The School’s most recent published financial accounts are accessible to donors.

9. We will be available to answer questions or discuss your gift honestly, and in a timely manner.