Annual Fund Telephone Campaign FAQs
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions relating to the Annual Fund Telephone Campaign. Thank you for your support.
For answers for any other questions, please email the Regular Giving Officer at annualgiving@le.ac.uk
What is the Annual Fund Telephone Campaign?
The Annual Fund Telephone Campaign is an annual fundraising appeal organised and overseen by the University's Development and Alumni Office (DARO). During the campaign, a team of current University of Leicester students will call alumni supporters and speak with them about their time studying at Leicester and what they have gone on to do since graduating. It is also an opportunity for alumni to hear about what is going on at the University and how they can support the University's Greatest Need and Student Support Funds.
Through their paid roles as part of the calling team, the students gain valuable work experience which can be added to their CV, speak to alumni about their experience during and after University and practice their communication skills.
Do all alumni receive a telephone call?
We have nearly 200,000 alumni on our database. Each year approximately 5,000-6,000 alumni are called by our students.
Why are the students calling me?
The students are calling you because you are a former student (alumnus/a) of the University of Leicester. They wish to update you on upcoming events, to ensure you receive our communications and to make you aware of any current appeals.
I do not wish to make a gift over the phone. How else can I give?
We can accept gifts in various ways. You can give online, or alternatively you can download our paper donation form if you wish to make a gift by credit card, cheque or by CAF voucher.
How will my donation be acknowledged?
A letter or email of thanks will be sent out to you.
I didn’t receive my pre-call postcard or email?
You should have received a postcard via email or in the post. Please double check your spam folder in case it has been sent there by mistake. If you did not receive it then you can update your details using our Stay In Touch form.
How can I request a student telephone call?
If you would like to request a call from one of our students, please email annualgiving@le.ac.uk.
Can I call the students back?
You cannot call the students back directly, however if you would like to request for somebody to call you at a more convenient time during the evening and weekend please email annualgiving@le.ac.uk.
Do the students get paid?
Yes, our students get paid an hourly wage to call our alumni.
Who pays for the students to call me?
The students' pay comes out of a centrally-administered budget. 100% of all the donations we receive go directly to the causes. None of the income generated from your donations is used to pay for fundraising at Leicester.
What telephone number should I expect a student phone call from?
The telephone number 0116 2525900 or 0116 4021933 will be displayed when our students call. Please note you cannot call our student callers back directly however you can leave a voicemail for one of them to return your call.
On what days and at what times should I expect a telephone call?
The Annual Fund Telephone Campaign 2023 takes place every autumn. Our students work around their studies, working up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Schedules for calling times for the two student teams can be found below.
Team A Calling Times
- Monday 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Wednesday 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Saturday 11:00am - 5:00pm (including a one hour lunch break)
Team B Calling Times
- Tuesday 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Thursday 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Sunday 2:00pm - 8:00pm (including a one hour lunch break)
For international alumni and friends, please note that the calling times above will utilise British Summer Time (BST, GMT+1) for the first day of the campaign only (Saturday 28 October), and will utilise Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) thereafter for the remainder of the campaign. Throughout the campaign, the student callers will be conscious of when it will be most appropriate to call alumni and friends who live in different time zones.
Why do I get a telephone call so late?
We have chosen the times listed above because we do not want to interrupt your working day and, as our callers are all students, they are usually busy with their studies during the daytime. The student callers will be conscious of when it will be most appropriate to call alumni and friends who live in different time zones.
Why am I getting a telephone call from Leicester at the weekend?
Our callers are all current students who have classes and lectures during the week, so they carry out the calling as a part-time job during evenings and weekends.
Are the students just calling to ask for money?
The financial aims of the campaign are important as the money we raise goes to help a variety of important causes, but the calls are also important for our students to update you on the latest news from the University and check we have the correct contact details for you. The students also really love talking to our alumni, hearing about their experiences and gaining valuable insight about career options following University.
I have been called as the University has a parental phone number registered to me. How can I update my child’s/family member's details other than over the phone?
Please direct your child/family member to the website where they can update their details using the Stay In Touch form.
How can I stop receiving telephone calls?
If you would like to opt out of receiving telephone calls, or would like to change how we contact you, please email annualgiving@le.ac.uk.
Thank you.