Maritzburg College Giving Day: 2023–2025
Overview
Maritzburg College’s Giving Day is an annual initiative designed to unite the College community—Old Collegians, parents, staff, students, and friends—in support of strategic development projects that enhance the school’s legacy, learning environment, and cultural identity.
Objectives of Giving Day
- Build Legacy: Strengthen the heritage of Maritzburg College through generational giving and infrastructure development.
- Inspire Excellence: Support excellence across all areas of College – academic, sport and culture, by funding facilities, scholarships, and resources.
- Unite the Community: Foster a spirit of collective giving and pride among all stakeholders.
- Ensure Sustainability: Create long-term impact through targeted, transparent fundraising.
Each of our Giving Days has had a specific focus and theme.
Giving Day 2023: The Inaugural Year
Theme: “Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future”
Dates: 5–6 September 2023
Celebrating 160 Years of Maritzburg College
Outcome: R1.35m from 410 donors
- Every donation was doubled by generous matchers to maximize impact.
- Focus Areas:
- Endowment Fund – securing long-term financial sustainability
- Aquatics – upgrading swimming facilities
- Rugby & Hockey – enhancing sports infrastructure
- Impact:
- Set the tone for future Giving Days
- Mobilized the entire College community
- Introduced digital giving and QR code access
- Created a culture of generosity and legacy-building
Giving Day 2024: Shaping Futures
Theme: “Honouring our Past, Shaping a Future without Limits; 1300 boys at a time”
Dates: 3–4 September 2024
Hashtag: #ShapingFutures
- Outcome: R1.2m from 628 donors
- An additional R1.2 million was donated from abroad to the Endowment Fund
- Community Engagement:
- Form-based fundraising competition; 2nd Form raised over R100,000 and won free zarms
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- Active involvement of the 2025 pupil leadership team in donor outreach
- Support from notable voices in videos including:
- Matthew Marwick, Acting Headmaster
- Nigel Sutherland, veteran educator
- Joel Stransky, SA rugby stalwart and OC
- Volunteer Incentives:
- Lucky draw prizes including branded merchandise, coffee vouchers, and mystery gifts
- Granny Macs provided refreshments for volunteers
- Digital Engagement:
- Real-time tracking via Charidy platform
- Social media and email campaigns encouraged global participation
Giving Day 2025: Illuminate the Future
Dates: 2–3 September 2025
Illuminate the Future: Building Legacy, Inspiring Learning, Investing in Culture
Hashtag: #MCGivingDay2025
Goal: Raise R1.5 million in 2 days
Vision: This year’s Giving Day is a call to action to light the way forward for future generations of College boys. It emphasizes transformation, long-term growth, and the power of collective giving.
2025 Focus Areas
- Lights on Goldstones – Upgrading lighting infrastructure on the iconic sports field.
- Arts & Culture – Investment in music, drama, and visual arts facilities.
- Papes Deck – Enhancing a key social and viewing space on campus.
- Academics – Classroom upgrades, learning resources, and academic support.
- Boarding – Improvements to Hudson House, Clark House, and Shepstone House.
- General Fund – Flexible support for emerging needs and strategic priorities.
2025 Campaign Themes & Content Strategy
- Illuminate the Future
- Focus: Vision, transformation, student impact – link to Lights on Goldstones
- Building Legacy
- Focus: Old Collegians, heritage, generational giving – Pape’s Deck and Boarding plans
- Inspiring Learning
- Focus: Academic excellence, scholarships, teaching – “Every gift helps us unlock potential. From new classrooms to academic support, your contribution inspires learning for generations to come.”
- Investing in Culture
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- Focus: Arts, music, drama, language – At College, culture is the heartbeat of our community. This Giving Day, help us nurture what makes us uniquely Maritzburg College.
From the powerful launch during the 160th birthday in 2023 to the visionary campaign of 2025, Maritzburg College Giving Day has become a cornerstone of community-driven transformation.
Each year builds on the last, creating a legacy of generosity, excellence, and pride.
Join us on 2–3 September 2025. Together, we will Illuminate the Future.