The Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign:
Transforming Tomorrow
Launched publicly in 2005 as the most ambitious educational fundraising initiative in Europe, the Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign aims to raise at least £1 billion.
This investment is strengthening Cambridge's financial security for posterity, at a time of intensifying global competition and uncertainty. Focused on four key goals, the Campaign is enabling Cambridge to invest in the teaching, research, ideas and, above all, the people who will transform tomorrow – and its impact is already making itself felt. Across Faculties and Departments, Colleges, Libraries and Museums, our donors are making a difference.
As we move forward after celebrating our 800th year, the Campaign – thanks to our many enlightened supporters – is ensuring that there will be much to celebrate tomorrow.
What made Cambridge special for me was the people and the sense of community – the feeling of being treated as an equal and belonging to something bigger than yourself... My time here – so different from my preconceptions of Cambridge – has made me determined to share my experiences with students as unsure about applying to Cambridge as I was four years ago.
Charlotte Richer (Jesus College, 2004), Liaison Officer, Cambridge Admissions Office
With its commitment to rigorous intellectual collaboration, outstanding resources and uncompromising support of its academics and students, Cambridge provides the most nurturing environment in which to test new ideas. The resulting advances in fundamental knowledge underpin applications of new knowledge in diverse areas such as biomedicine that benefit the whole of society.
Professor Azim Surani CBE, Professor of Physiology and Reproduction
Cambridge's libraries, museums and historic buildings are amongst the finest in the world. Throughout its 800 years, Cambridge has enjoyed philanthropic support for these great collections and historic buildings. It is important that this history of philanthropy is reinvigorated for the Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign, to preserve and enhance the collections and buildings for future generations.
Dr David Starkey (Fitzwilliam College, 1964), Historian, Broadcaster and Writer
Cambridge made me. I played sport, I directed plays, I wrote some bad poetry and had it published. I learned to use a film camera. Oh yes, and I did some work as well. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, at Cambridge you will always find a means of expression.
Sam Mendes (Peterhouse, 1984), Film Director
Our students make us into better teachers by the demands they make and the challenges they offer: they really make us think. To witness the growth of a student's intellectual personality, and to know that you've played a part is what makes this job so rewarding.
Dr Gavin Alexander, Lecturer in English, 2008 Pilkington Award-winner
Cambridge is a great place! We have outstanding, committed colleagues, first-rate facilities for research and scholarship and excellent students who form an integral part of our community. The support of our benefactors is ensuring that Cambridge continues to attract the very best by providing them with the resources and freedom necessary to fully develop their potential.
Dame Jean Thomas CBE, Master of St Catherine's College, Professor of Macromolecular Biochemistry
