Our Mission
One conversation can make all the difference.
The Cambridge Union Society is an educational charity devoted to defending free speech, promoting art of debate, and fostering innovative conversation. We operate in the UK and around the world.
Our educative mission is dependent on the generosity of our members and the wider public, and we use our funds to further all our charitable causes: from building restoration and heritage work, to outreach initiatives and programs that widen participation for young people.
Areas of Support
Fundraising
As an educational charity, The Cambridge Union is reliant on the generosity of sponsors, benefactors, and the general public.
Sponsorship
We offer a range of sponsorship packages to our corporate and external partners, giving access to our 37,000 active members worldwide, our membership community across Cambridge and over 2.5 million viewers who watch our content online.
Donations
All donations to The Cambridge Union directly support our charitable purpose, and are tax efficient.
Bursary Fund
The Union continuously maintains a dedicated Bursary Fund to support students from underprivileged backgrounds who are unable to pay for all or part of a membership. Donations to our Bursary Fund go directly to providing student membership applicants with free or heavily subsidised memberships.
Legacy
You’re also able to donate to The Cambridge Union by leaving us a gift in your will, or by commemorating someone special through a donation. All legacy donations, no matter how large or small, make a vital contribution to our charitable work.
Access & Community
Access Memberships
Based on current University Bursary thresholds, a student at University of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University can apply for an Access Membership at The Cambridge Union, which is a life membership offered at a reduced cost. We offer three tiers of Access Memberships dependent on household income, and Access Members enjoy all the same benefits of a standard Cambridge Union Life Memberships. Access Memberships start from just £95 and are dependent on bursary thresholds set by your university.
Schools Outreach
The Union supports many schools around the UK in the development of free speech and the art of debating. All and any school is welcome to engage with our competitive debating and training packages, and state-funded schools are able to apply for funded support in developing public speaking and debating for young people.
Community
The Cambridge Union, alongside our Brasserie and Bar – The Orator – and our Corporate Events Team, are all part of a thriving local and independent business community. We’re proud to collaborate with many local outlets and offer ‘Treasurer’s Treats’ to our members – which are deals and discounts at local stores exclusively for Cambridge Union members. If you’re a local business and you’d like to get involved, then you can click the button below to get in touch with our Treasurer.
Renovation & Heritage Projects
The Library Project
On 28th July 1942, the Union’s historic Keynes Library was hit by a Luftwaffe bomb, killing three people. Due to this tragedy, and the continual impact of the Second World War throughout the rest of the 1940s, restorations to this room were conducted on a tight budget. These temporary repairs mean that our Keynes Library is greatly in need of renovation. Concept work on our Library Project has been agreed with the local authorities and detailed designs are underway. Our fundraising campaign for the Library Project is due shortly to begin.
Bench Sponsorship
The iconic benches in the Debating Chamber have been a staple of it’s design and aesthetic for decades. But over time, they’ve become a little worn. Our Bench Sponsorship scheme allows donors to sponsor the refurbishment of our benches, including a dedicated bench plaque to remember their contribution.
If you’re interested in sponsoring a bench, then please make an enquiry via email at media@cus.org, and we’ll write back to you.
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.
