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Payroll Giving Month success

10 Mar 2025

Now that Payroll Giving Month has come to an end, it’s time to take the opportunity to celebrate our generous colleagues who’ve chosen to support their University with donations directly through their pay.

Purple Pounds

Last month was Payroll Giving Month – an opportunity to make a difference, every payday. Thank you to those of you who chose to make your own payroll gift to support Manchester’s students, life-changing research and Manchester Museum. The gifts you set up in just the last month are worth an incredible £3,500.

Through payroll giving, you can give tax-free gifts to the causes closest to your hearts – including those at your University. Payroll gifts are made from your gross pay meaning that there’s no income tax liability on them so you’ll pay less tax. It makes payroll giving efficient for higher rate taxpayers who can make larger gifts to their favourite charities at a lower cost. Twenty-one colleagues kindly chose to set up a regular payroll gift of their own last month - and it's not too late to join them! If you’d like to support good causes right here on campus, simply search for ‘The University of Manchester’ when setting up your payroll gift via the University’s official payroll giving scheme – Purple Pounds.

Now that Payroll Giving Month has come to an end, it’s time to take the opportunity to celebrate our generous colleagues who’ve chosen to support their University with donations directly through their pay.

Why I give back to my University with a payroll gift

Siobhan Ernest-Shay

I started my regular payroll gift in 2023, when the University’s new and improved payroll giving scheme – Purple Pounds – launched. I liked the idea of my gift being made directly from my pay because it makes it easier for me. And I’m sure you’ll find the same.

It’s a small amount that I give each month, but when many of us give a little it adds up to a lot. I know this because not so long ago I was an undergraduate student here at Manchester – and I was from what we would now call a disadvantaged background. Without the financial support that I received throughout my studies, I can’t say for sure that I would have made it as far as graduation.

I’m happy to make my gift to help the University’s current students who are following in my footsteps. And I wish them all the success in the world.

Siobhan is a Planning Administrator in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. She’s also a part-time master's student at the University, working towards a MEd Psychology of Education. She gives a monthly payroll gift to support Manchester’s students.

Pauline Ashton

I started payroll giving in 2015, before our new payroll giving scheme – Purple Pounds – even launched. I give to the University and three other charities which have a personal connection to me and my family.

Although I’m not an alumna of the University, I remember learning that charities who fund research at universities will have to use some of the donations made to them to cover their own costs. Giving straight to universities, however, means that all your donation goes directly to the research that you indented it to fund. For me, it’s a no-brainer.

It was really easy to set up my payroll gift. It’s taken from my salary before tax, so I save a little money each month too. You save even more if you’re a higher rate taxpayer!

Over the decade that I’ve been giving in this way, I’ve been happy that I’ve been able to amend the area of the University that I support – especially when fundraising appeals for research projects that I feel a personal connection to came along.

Pauline is an Office Coordinator in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. She gives a monthly payroll gift to support Manchester’s research.

Patrick Hackett 

I set up my payroll gift through Purple Pounds last October, because I’m only too aware of the financial challenges that our students face. I’m grateful that, at this stage in my career, I’m in a position to help those most in need – so that they can have the chance to succeed here at Manchester.

I hope that my regular payroll gift is enabling our students to worry less about their financial circumstances, and to focus instead on all the wonderful experiences that our University has to offer them.

I find giving via payroll to be convenient – and it’s tax effective. Once set up, it facilitates regular giving and feels 'pain free'. I like knowing that my donations support our students every payday.

Patrick is the Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of The University of Manchester. He gives a monthly payroll gift to support Manchester’s students.

Have you considered making a difference at your University every payday, by making your own regular payroll gift?

More information

  • Purple Pounds, to join in with Payroll Giving Month by making your payroll gift
  • Purple Giving, to learn more about all the different ways you can give
  • Your Impact, to learn more about the impact of gifts made to The University of Manchester
  • Payroll Giving Month, to learn more about Payroll Giving Month initiative