How To Support Us
The Cambridge Union Society is an educational charity devoted to defending free speech and the art of debate, in the UK and internationally.
Explore what we’re working on now and what your donations are contributing to; from restoration and heritage work, to outreach imrpovements and programs that widen participation.
Fundraising
As a charity, we are reliant on sponsorships and fundraising.
Sponsorship
We offer a range of sponsorship arrangements, giving access to our 37,000 active members worldwide and over 2.5 million who regularly view our online content.
Donations
The Cambridge Union Society is an independent Educational Charity dedicated to defending free speech and the art of debate. With your support, we can keep this spirit alive. All donations directly support our charitable purpose, and are tax efficient.
Bursary Fund
The Union maintains an investment fund to support students from underprivileged backgrounds that are unable to pay for all or part of a membership. Donations to this fund go directly to providing student applicants with free or heavily subsidised memberships.
Legacy
Remember us in your will, donate in the memory of someone close. There are multiple opportunities for dedicating facilities in the memory of that special someone. A legacy donation, no matter how large or small, makes a vital contribution to our work.
Access & Community
Access Memberships
Based on current University Bursary thresholds; Students can apply for reduced cost life memberships. We offer three tiers of discount, depending on household income, starting from just £90.
Schools Outreach
The Union supports all schools in the development of free speech and debating. All schools can engage with our competitive debating and training packages. State schools can apply for funded support in developing public speaking and debating for young people.
Community
We are part of a thriving local and independent business community. Our Treasurer’s Treats are deals and discounts offered to our Members by the local community every term. Click the button below to get in touch with our Treasurer and find out how you can get involved.
Renovation & Heritage Projects
The Library Project
The Keynes Library was badly damaged as a result of WW2 bombing. Repairs were done on a tight budget. A legacy of multiple uses, low budget repairs and renovations and no investments means the library is in desperate need of renovation. Concept work has been agreed with Local Authorities, detailed designs are underway, and fundraising begins in Autumn.
The Library Project has just begun.
Bench Sponsorship
The iconic benches in the Debating Chamber have been a staple of it’s design and aesthetic for decades. With time, these benches have been worn down; with splintered wood and torn leather. Our Bench Sponsorship scheme allows donors to sponsor the refurbishment of our benches.
Competitive Debating
Competitive Debating
The Cambridge Union Society runs one of the most successful and inclusive competitive debating programmes in the world. As part of our charitable efforts, we provide our competitive debating teams with expert coaching from some of the best debaters in the world, and subsidised travel costs to all domestic and international competitions.
Overseas Debating
The Union provides materials and access in over 15 countries worldwide, through the medium of competitive debating, which also includes assisted places to participate in our worldwide competitions.
