Impact of giving

From bursaries, scholarships, and new academic posts to new initiatives, buildings and facilities, philanthropy ensures that we continue to lead and inspire the world in our teaching and research, nurturing exceptional minds and driving the discoveries of the future.

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.

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“I found the purpose of my life at Cambridge”

“I have been on such a fun journey”, says Darshana Joshi (Hughes Hall 2012), who benefited from a scholarship to support her PhD in Physics and now, back home in New Delhi, runs a global charity that inspires and upskills young people to enable access to STEM careers.

Brooking No Obstacles: The Charlie Bayne Travel Trust’s lasting gift of empowerment

Cambridge alumni Dobrik Georgiev, Mahdeia Hidary, and Martin Duffy reflect on their unique opportunities created by Charlie’s inspiring example.

Professor Ravindra Gupta named as the Professor for Global Health

Downing alumnus (1994) and Honorary Fellow, Professor Gupta has been named the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Professor of Global Health at the University of Cambridge.

More than a game: Cambridge football captains on sport, wellbeing, and community

Reece Linney and Alexia Dengler hope that plans for an all-weather pitch at Grange Road will further enhance sporting opportunities across the University of Cambridge.

Cambridge rugby captains back all-weather pitch plans to transform Grange Road into a year-round sports hub

Fergus Hughes and Bethan Jones have described the impact that an all-weather pitch at Grange Road would have on sport at the University of Cambridge.

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.

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Sporting opportunities in Cambridge will be significantly enhanced thanks to support for a new Artificial Grass Pitch at the Grange Road Ground

A cornerstone commitment from local alumnus Hugh Mumford, and further giving from sports alumni, has made the installation of a new Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) possible by the end of October this year.

Cambridge to offer cutting-edge ultrasound treatment for NHS cancer patients in UK first

NHS patients at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, will become the first in the UK and Europe to undergo incisionless ultrasound surgery using a cutting-edge ‘histotripsy machine’ as part of their cancer care.

Major donation to establish research scholarships on Dravidian history, politics and economics

Sabarisan Vedamurthy, a technology entrepreneur, and his wife Senthamarai Stalin, daughter of the Chief Minister of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, have decided to support research at the University of Cambridge on the progressive social and economic policies of the South Indian region, the impacts of which have not been widely studied outside of India.

How can we speed up the commercialisation of clean energy technologies?

A new donation from Quadrature Climate Foundation (QCF) will support research at the University of Cambridge and the University of California, Berkeley, on designing public institutions best suited to bringing clean energy technologies to market

Gift from alumnus supports PhD programme in Computer Science

Ten years after he completed his PhD, thanks to a scholarship he received, alumnus Dr Raoul-Gabriel Urma is giving another student the same opportunity

Donor stories

Discover why philanthropy matters and how it makes Cambridge better still. Hear from our donors about their philanthropic motivations and from those who have been supported by such gifts during their time at the University.

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Everyone’s journey is different: The inspirations behind Dr Lewis Owens’s passion for service

To call Dr Lewis Owens (Queens’ 1996) a veteran volunteer is an understatement. Lewis has been weaving together the threads of meaningful service since his Cambridge days.

Blending Chemistry, Cooking and Children’s Health: An audience with Bonnie Garmus

In a special event to raise money for the ground-breaking new Cambridge Children's Hospital (CCH), author of global sensation Lessons in Chemistry Bonnie Garmus took to the stage to discuss her bestselling debut novel with the hospital’s campaign board co-chair, Dame Mary Archer.

Bill Gates: "Of all our foundation’s grants, this was my dad’s favourite"

I couldn’t be prouder of the difference Gates Cambridge scholars are making, and the leaders they have become.

"Where we're going, together"

Volunteer Siobhan Cassidy (Homerton 1994) reflects on giving back, organising the 2021 Boat Race and the power of sport.

Eashwar Krishnan on supporting PhD students from around the world

University volunteer and philanthropist Eashwar Krishnan’s (Trinity 1996) time at Cambridge was supported with a Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund scholarship. Today, he supports postgraduate students “trying to give back and replicate the structure of incredible generosity” shown to him.

Legacy stories

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Romance, physics, and a revolution in sound: the Dolby family’s unique relationship with Collegiate Cambridge and how it drives their phenomenal philanthropy

The Dolbys’ philanthropic support for science research and higher education has helped secure the UK’s status as the epicentre of physics discovery for the world.

Legacy gift lends a helping hand to Downing medics

Thanks to a generous legacy gift from alumnus, John Frederick Fitz Miller (Downing 1978), over 50 Downing medical students have all been awarded a generous grant from the fund.

‘The Thrill of the Will’

Alice Macek, Associate Director of Legacies, reflects on why estate planning is vital — at any stage of life!

Early music — a love story: the unique Dolmetsch family and an extraordinary legacy to Cambridge

In a leafy Surrey village, an extraordinary musical story has unfolded over the course of more than a century, with its roots in mid-19th century France and a narrative spanning Belgium, London, the USA and Haslemere, Surrey. Its next chapter? At the University Library, Cambridge.

Personal giving, far-reaching impact: the Early Cancer Institute and the ripple effect of philanthropy

Most of us will — at some point in our lives, whether directly or indirectly — feel the tremendous impact of cancer. The disease has a unique poignancy and resonance: in its suddenness or its duration, in the uncertainty and changes it brings, and in the meaning it contains, cancer touches and transforms lives dramatically.