Case Study: Summer Fields School builds an engaged fundraising community with ToucanTech

Summer Fields School shows the power of mini-teams in fundraising

Summer Fields School, an exceptional day and boarding preparatory school in North Oxford, wanted to strengthen engagement with alumni, former parents, and staff while supporting fundraising and community-building efforts. Working as a development team of one, the school used ToucanTech software to launch its first digital community and grow an online network that could keep people connected around school news, events, and initiatives.

With ToucanTech, Summer Fields School expanded its digital community to more than 350 members, ran a successful Next Chapter campaign that raised £2.5m, and used the platform to share alumni stories, promote fitness and charity challenges during COVID, and send targeted newsletters to former parents. ToucanTech also helped the school support students through a COVID-relief fund, while one newsletter achieved a 50% open rate and nearly 10% click-through, showing strong engagement from its wider community.

Summer Fields School

Daphne O’Connell

Development Director