Cambridge University’s campaign to raise £1 billion has reached the £800 million mark – in the same year as the institution celebrates its 800th Anniversary.

The University of Cambridge revealed, in its third annual Campaign Report, that the total raised during the financial year ending 31 July 2008 by the University and the Colleges together was £138 million. This brings the Campaign total to £801 million.

The 2007/8 results include the fourth and fifth instalments of the gift from Dr Ros Smith and Steve Edwards to strengthen the endowment of New Hall, now renamed Murray Edwards College, in honour of its founder and benefactors. Their total contribution to the Campaign to date now stands at £16 million with a further £15 million to come.

Continued growth in alumni participation rates was also witnessed in 2007-2008. On average 9% of alumni now contribute through their College or University to the Campaign and some Colleges have participation rates of 20% or more from their undergraduate alumni.

The University reported that support for the Campaign came from alumni and friends all over the world. In the Campaign to date, 65% of gifts to the University came from the UK, 24% from the US, and the remaining 11% from donors living elsewhere in the world.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Alison Richard, said: “Our high hopes for the support of our alumni and friends have been far exceeded thanks to their commitment and generosity. This is all the more remarkable as financial and economic concerns mounted during the year”.

Campaign Board Co-Chairman Dr Bill Janeway said: “Each year we have thanked the growing body of Campaign volunteers for their individual and collective efforts, and this year is no different.

“Members of the Campaign Board, Campaign Council, Major Gifts Committee (US) and Hong Kong Fundraising Committee help to communicate information about the Campaign. They also support the work of Cambridge staff to encourage as many alumni as possible to engage with their College and with the University, to ensure that the Campaign goes from strength to strength.”

Fellow Campaign Board Chairman Sir David Walker said: “This milestone year for Cambridge has brought us ever closer to our Campaign target of £1 billion. However, we are keenly aware of the financial storms around us. We know that achieving our shared goal will demand even more intense commitment from all of us, as we continue to build a firm financial base for collegiate Cambridge”.
 

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