Finance Report 2024-25

UCCF is committed to making disciples of Jesus in the student world, by effectively resourcing CU leaders. We do this by placing excellent, well-trained and diverse staff on the ground. As a fellowship we are committed to focusing on local Staff Workers in regional teams, which has led us to take the difficult decision in 2025 to close the distinct Leadership Network and Creative Evangelism teams. The expertise developed in these areas will be integrated into regional teams through forming matrix teams.

Over the next financial year, we are committed to providing CU Staff Workers in key areas, exceeding our current income. This strategic decision has been made to best serve students. We are budgeting for a significant increase in income, primarily from trusts and individual support, resulting in a budgeted deficit of £326,000. Without this increased income our projected deficit would be £661,000. The deficit will be funded by our reserves.

Our supporters are the heartbeat of our ministry. Over the coming year, we are proactively developing relationships with our donors and prayerfully considering ways to develop new partnerships.

We are thankful for the Lord’s provision of two new members of staff, a Key Relationships Manager to deepen partnerships with trusts and major donors, and a Fundraising Officer to encourage students and graduates into partnership with us. We are excited to play our part in helping students and recent graduates grow in the gift of giving, walking with them to establish healthy rhythms as they enter the workplace. Developing meaningful partnerships is vital in reducing the gap between our income and expenditure and sustaining the work of UCCF long-term.

We also want to deepen our relationships with existing supporters. In the autumn term we are hosting in-person partner events in Cardiff, Edinburgh and London, a precious opportunity to engage with our supporters. We’d love you to join us – please visit this page to find out more. We long for every supporter of UCCF to feel genuinely connected to the student ministry they make possible.

This financial year we have seen an increase in our income (17%) compared to the previous year, attributed to two main factors; an increase in one-off gifts from individuals (9%) and a record year for legacy gifts. The wonderful generosity of supporters in their wills is a sign of the lasting impact of UCCFs work with Christian Unions in the lives of individuals, often from their time as students. These gifts enable us to invest in future generations of student leaders.

Individual donors

Individual contributions continue to be our primary source of income. We are deeply encouraged by the generous gifts so many of you have given, and your faithful support enables us to keep partnering with CUs to make disciples of Jesus in the student world.

Staff support

Just under half of UCCF’s income from individual donors is given in support of specific Staff Workers, each bringing a team of prayer and financial partners for whom we give thanks to the Lord. This partnership is so valued in this gospel work.

‘I’m so thankful for all the supporters, who have been a huge help in this ministry. I hope they can share in my joy in seeing students come to know Christ and understand the depths of their riches in Him.’
– Tom, CU Staff Worker

18 new Staff Workers joined us in August 2024, and we are thankful for their fundraising efforts.

Trusts and churches

Trust income is slightly down (2%) from last year. As our fundraising team grows in capacity, we are seeking to build our work with trusts and foundations, deepening our partnerships with those who generously join with us to strengthen our mission.

We are immensely grateful to churches, not only for financial support but also for the many practical ways in which they partner with us, working alongside UCCF staff and supporting CU students in making disciples of Jesus in the student world. It’s a joy to be in gospel partnership with so many local churches.

Staff costs

We remain convinced that CUs are most effective when led by students themselves. We’re committed to equipping students for mission, through discipleship, training and resources, primarily through the provision of our staff to support CUs. As a result, a large portion of our expenditure is on staffing costs; investing in our staff is crucial as they play a vital role in transforming students’ lives each year.

This year, staffing costs made up 73% of our expenses. We are working on a remuneration benchmarking exercise, highlighting our desire to pay our people according to Biblical principles of justice, generosity, dignity and reward. The new pay structure will be implemented from the new academic year.

As part of our commitment to resourcing CUs, during the last academic year we delivered over 20 training events across Great Britain, equipping over 2,000 student leaders. The direct costs of these invaluable events make up around 8% of our expenditure.