Impact of giving

Philanthropic impact stories

Find out how Cambridge is working to solve the challenges we face in today's world. None of the examples described here would be possible without Cambridge’s philanthropic supporters. Their philanthropy sets the brilliant minds working at Cambridge free to pursue new ideas and change the world.

Cambridge appoints first DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning

Following an international search, Professor Neil Lawrence has been appointed as the inaugural DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at Cambridge, supported by a benefaction from the world-leading British AI company.

Group of undergraduate students sitting on steps

All the best — Cambridge's Student Support Initiative seeks to raise £500m to support current and future generations of students

Dr Mark Wormald is Secretary of the Senior Tutors’ Committee and Co-Chair of the Student Support Initiative

Surer Mohamed standing in front of a bookcase

“Without the generous support of the David and Elaine Potter Foundation, I would not have been able to undertake my PhD.”

Scholarship supported by The David and Elaine Potter Foundation helps outstanding young African scholars develop their careers in the humanities

Women in STEM: Gates Cambridge Scholar Valentina Ndolo

Valentina Ndolo is a Gates Cambridge Scholar in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, where she is a PhD student developing mathematical models to identify areas of Uganda most at risk of anthrax. In 2016, she founded the STEMing Africa Initiative to help support talented female STEM graduates from Africa secure scholarships for postgraduate study at leading universities worldwide.

Professor Paul Lane with African colleagues

Transforming our understanding of Africa's past

Professor Paul Lane, the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professor of the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa, is helping to shape a dynamic future for the continent, built upon Africa’s unique history, cultural heritage and achievements.

Gift announcements

Cambridge owes its world-leading excellence in research and teaching to the generosity of its supporters. Our history is synonymous with a history of far-sighted benefaction, and the same is as true today as it has ever been.