What is Downing’s Giving Day?

Downing’s Giving Day is an exciting 36-hour digital giving initiative in which we ask the entire Downing community to come together to support our students and to celebrate and reflect on their time at the College. With thousands of pounds to unlock in match and challenge funding, it’s a day like no other and every gift made during the Giving Day will have even more impact. 

It will be a transformational day of giving and it’s all about what we can achieve together.

Downing’s Giving Day will take place on November 12 - 13 and we hope you will join us!

Why is a Giving Day different to any other Downing event?

Gifts made during the Giving Day will go even further than usual. Thanks to a small group of generous alumni, a certain amount raised will be matched pound for pound. Furthermore, several donors have provided challenge funds that will be unlocked once we achieve particular goals.

Take a look at the ‘Challenges’ page on November 12 - 13 to see if your gift is eligible to unlock funds.

NB: For tax purposes, donors who participate in the giving challenges will be credited for their individual contributions only.

Why is the Giving Day 36 hours long?

Our Giving Day will be spread out over 36 hours to allow overseas members of the Downing community to participate in, and fully experience, the event as much as our alumni base in the UK.

How can I get involved?

Your support will make a huge difference to Downing and to the success of our Giving Day.

You can get involved by: - Making a donation to the College on or before the 36-hour event. - Posting about the Downing Giving Day on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram — and don’t forget to tag us! - Liking and sharing our social media posts and encouraging your Downing friends to get involved.

What difference will my donation make?

With your help, the College will continue to offer financial support that is both essential and reassuring to students in the greatest need. Ensuring that a Downing College education is possible for everyone, whilst allowing us to encourage, nurture and inspire our current students and the generations that will follow them.

All gifts, of every size, will make a real difference to our students. With thousands to unlock in matched and challenge funds, gifts go even further than usual. Having a large number of donors encourages others to support us too, so we would love as many members of our community as possible to participate in our first ever Giving Day.

How can I make my gift?

We want to make it easy for you to participate in our first ever Giving Day. Gifts can be made in a variety of ways on the day:

• Online: through our Giving Day platform
• By phone (during office hours, Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm): +44 (0)1223 334850
• By post: [Download donation form]
• Gifts must be received by the end of 30 November to count towards the Giving Day.

• Donation forms can be sent to:

  Alumni and Development Office Downing College Cambridge CB2 1DQ

• Cheques should be made out to "Downing College".

If you choose either of the latter two options, please make sure to inform us as soon as you can so that your gift can be counted towards the Giving Day total.

Can I make a gift to the Giving Day before 8 November?

Yes! We know that some alumni will not be able to participate during the Giving Day event itself.

If you would like to make an early gift to Downing College’s Giving Day: - The best way to do this is online. - If you can’t give online, you can still give early by post (see above). - Please be sure to indicate that your gift should support the Giving Day by writing ‘Giving Day’ on the back of your cheque or on the donation form.

Can I give tax-efficiently?

Depending on your country of residence, you may be able to donate tax-efficiently.
[Click here to find out more.]

Is there a minimum donation amount?

The minimum online donation is £5.

Is my payment secure?

Yes. All payments through the givingday.dow.cam.ac.uk website will be securely processed by Stripe or Stripe US, depending on your region.

Why was my donation not processed?

We’re sorry that you’re having difficulty making your gift.

Common errors include: - Incorrect card details - Postcode/zipcode mismatch with your card address

Please double-check the above before you contact us.

If you continue to have problems making your gift, please: - Email: development@dow.cam.ac.uk - Call us during office hours (Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5pm): +44 (0)1223 334850

If the issue cannot be resolved, you can donate online through the College website.

How can I make a regular donation to the College?

If you wish to make a regular donation to Downing, please contact the Alumni & Development Office: - Email: development@dow.cam.ac.uk - Phone: +44 (0)1223 334850 (Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5pm)

We’ll be happy to help set this up for you.

My question has not been answered. Who can I contact?

If you have further queries, please contact the Development & Alumni Relations Office: - Email: development@dow.cam.ac.uk - Phone: +44 (0)1223 334850 (Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5pm)