We are truly grateful for every gift that is made to Sidney. Every pound that is donated is used to make a positive impact on the life of the College and the future of our students.
Discover how philanthropy makes a transformative difference by reading our recent Impact Report.
Research Fellow in History
“My Research Fellowship at Sidney Sussex has put me in a position to reach goals which once seemed insurmountable. It has given me the best gifts an early career researcher can hope for: an intellectual community, financial security, and uninterrupted research time. It has allowed me to develop my thesis into a book (now under consideration by CUP). This Research Fellowship has built the foundation of my career, and I hope to offer returns on that investment in all my future teaching and research.”
Natural Sciences undergraduate
"I was very fortunate to have the opportunity of a two-week internship in the Whipple Library, generously funded by a Research and Professional Experience Grant from Sidney Sussex College. As well as getting involved in the day-to-day activities of the librarians (from opening and closing procedures, to loaning and returning books, to ordering and cataloguing new books, and a whole host of other activities), I also had the opportunity to create my own mini-display in the library cabinets.
"Creating this display was invaluable in consolidating the skills I began to develop through studying History & Philosophy of Science in my second year, and has only fostered more enthusiasm for the subject as I head into my third year in which I'm specialising in History and Philosophy of Science. I very much look forward to returning to the Whipple Library!"
Natural Sciences undergraduate
"I'm extremely grateful for the generous bursary gifted to me by the College. Coming to Cambridge, finances were always a worry for me and my family; they were so proud that I was able to fulfil my dream by securing a place here, but we still had to consider more local universities where I could commute and keep my job, especially since the support payments stopped after I turned 18. To have this money alongside what has been allowed to me by the government has meant I've been able to focus on my studies and not have to work during the vacations which I would have had to do. It has helped immensely."
Alumni and friends who make a gift to Sidney during the financial year (1 July – 30 June) are recognised in the College’s Impact Report, and on our annual donor board which is displayed by the Mong Hall.
The 1596 Foundation helps us express our appreciation to the valued group of core supporters (individuals and institutions) who have each given over £25,000.
Membership is by election and lasts a lifetime. Foundation members are recognised in the College Annual and invited to a dedicated 1596 Foundation event each year.
The Master’s Circle recognises the extraordinary generosity of major donors to Sidney Sussex College.
Membership of the Master's Circle is by invitation only; members have all made a minimum donation to the College of £100,000. They are invited to the annual Master’s Circle event and other VIP receptions, including the 1596 event. Members’ names are listed in the College Annual.
Donors who give over £500,000 are eligible to be considered for a Montagu Fellowship. This gives them the same entitlements as Honorary Fellows, including dining privileges and invitations to special College feasts.
Montagu Fellows also receive University recognition through the Vice-Chancellor’s Circle, which honours people who have given over £250,000.
The Lady Frances Sidney Circle recognises and thanks supporters who have mentioned Sidney in their will. We are honoured to invite members of the Circle to a dedicated annual event to express our gratitude, and we celebrate their support in our annual Impact Report.
This was launched in 1998 to honour the generosity of major benefactors of over £1 million to the University and the Colleges. Members’ names are recorded on the Benefactors’ Staircase in the Old Schools, the historic heart of the University and are invited to the annual Guild of Benefactors Dinner each March.