Ferguson Bequest
Ferguson Bequest
Professor Tom Ferguson bequeathed his estate to the University in 1977, with the instruction that the money be used "in any way likely to foster the social side of University life, and in particular the welfare and social activities of staff"
The Estate also stipulated that the funds "should not be used for departmental activities, nor what might reasonably be regarded as necessary or ordinary day-to-day expenditure"
The University Court established the Ferguson Bequest Committee to administer the funds and agreed that the use of the money should not be restricted to the benefit of academic staff. At various meetings the Committee agreed that corporate memberships should be taken out by the University. The corporate membership schemes are administered centrally by the Court Office.
Staff can access Attraction Tickets and enter Ticket Draws by logging in to MyGlasgow for Staff
Staff may also apply for funding for clubs or societies, or staff with an idea for a one-off event, or series of events, that can bring staff together from across the University in a social environment.
For queries, you can contact the Ferguson Bequest Administrator (Sarah Finlayson)
To book Attraction tickets, or enter a Ticket Draw, log in to MyGlasgow for Staff
If you have a suggestion of an attraction, day out, activity or other idea let us know!
Apply for funding for a staff event, club or society
Examples of clubs and events funded by the Ferguson Bequest are below:
Organisations funded by the Ferguson Bequest
Adam Smith Business School Social Committee Events
Including Pizza & Ice Cream Food Trucks, Star Wars Easter Egg painting competition, Board games and Quiz nights, and a Big Breakfast!
"Thanks very much to all involved for a great event, and for bringing us together for delicious pizza and ice cream"!
"It was so fantastic- what a lovely treat to brighten up a dreary Thursday! Thank you so much for taking the time to organise this"
"It was very fun and appreciated"!
UofG Staff Angling Club winning the Inter-Club Trophy, September 2025, Lake of Menteith
Around 1,200 University Services Staff attended a Festive Market in December 2025!
Corporate Volunteering at National Trust for Scotland
A team from the College of Arts & Humanities Administration, whose proposal for a Corporate Volunteering Day with National Trust for Scotland was accepted by the Ferguson Bequest Committee, visited Greenbank Gardens (Glasgow) and planted 22,000 daffodils! There was also time for a picnic, a cuppa, some biccies and a chance to see the walled gardens.
Night at the Museum for all University of Glasgow Staff, Thursday 11 December 2025, 5.30–8pm, Hunterian Museum
Winners of the Staff Group Ticket Draw to the Pavilion Pantomime 2025!
As a newly formed team, I thought this would be a fun teambuilding activity, so I entered a ticket draw to win Pantomime Tickets for the team – and that turned out to be a very good decision! The event was packed with laughter and gave us the perfect chance to get to know each other better. The team agreed that it was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon out of the office. They left saying how much fun they had and suggesting we do it again next year! It’s wonderful to have such benefits available to UofG staff members; we’re very grateful to the Ferguson Bequest for the opportunity to take part.
The UofG Public and Community Engagement Group social!
"Ferguson Bequest funding supported a social away day for professional services staff from across all colleges in the University who work in public facing engagement roles. We enjoyed an afternoon at pottery painting which allowed us to express our creativity and get to know each other better in a more relaxed setting. After our pieces have been fired and glazed, they will be returned to us and we will collect them at our next network meeting to keep as a reminder of our day. Thanks very much to the Ferguson Fund for this opportunity".
Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory celebrating 25 years!
"Many thanks to the Ferguson Bequest Team. The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory enjoyed a fabulous evening celebrating 25 years in research into learning disabilities dining in Glasgow city centre. The whole process was smooth, efficient and the team was very helpful. Grateful to have this opportunity from Ferguson Bequest. Many thanks again and I would encourage others to apply".
School of Health & Wellbeing Ceilidh
We would like to extend our thanks for the generous funding contribution made from the Ferguson Bequest for our recent Burns Night Ceilidh. This year’s event welcomed 75 attendees, including children, families, international staff and students, honorary staff, and colleagues from across our school community. This event brought people together in a warm, inclusive, and friendly atmosphere reflected the spirit of Burns Night. A particular highlight was the Address to the Haggis, delivered with great energy and enthusiasm. Their contribution set the tone for a lively and fun evening full of eating drinking and dancing.
"This was a great night, I especially enjoyed that there was a games room for my child, they did not want to dance every time, and I knew that was a safe space for them when I was dancing."
"Thanks for a fantastic evening! It was a great event (myself and my guests thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am already looking forward to hopefully the same again next year!"
"The whole evening was extremely well put together, and you could really see the care (and patience!) that went into all the details like the games room for the kids. The band were brilliant, everyone was included, and the atmosphere was brilliant from start to finish. It was great seeing how much fun the students, staff and families were having."