To maximise support for our students and Fellows, we must expand our revenue base, build up our endowment and continue to manage our investments prudently.
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Our financial priorities
To fulfil our ambitions, we must improve our financial strength and flexibility. Our aim is to reach a position where our operations break even. We will move forward by focusing on the following areas.
Supporting our students
Our mission is to advance education, learning and research enabling our students to achieve brilliance without barriers. The College spends on education, pastoral support and extra-curricular activities twice the amount which we receive from students in tuition fees and academic charges. As a result, St Catharine’s subsidises each student by an average of £5,000 per annum.
We are committed to enabling students to enjoy all the benefits of a Cambridge education, regardless of their personal financial circumstances. St Catharine’s undergraduates receive more than £400,000 from the Cambridge Bursary Scheme each year. In 2021-22 scholarships totalling £760,000 were made to 39 postgraduate students for fees and living costs. Further support was provided to both undergraduates and postgraduates for costs associated with financial hardship, travel, sport, accommodation, computer equipment and music.
Increasing our endowment
Endowment refers to the College permanent capital on which we earn income. Growing our endowment will increase our financial resilience and the income available for education and student support. This growth will come from the addition of new funds from donations and legacies, as well as by working to maximise investment returns.
Exercising prudent financial management
As a long-term institution, our financial management balances the needs of current and future generations of St Catharine’s students. We aim to reduce the structural deficit, achieve neutral operating cashflows and maintain free reserves sufficient to continue operations when exposed to exceptional or adverse financial circumstances.
Developing complementary revenue streams
We aim to re-build our conference business which has been interrupted by the pandemic and recent building works. This will enable us to cover the overhead costs of providing College infrastructure thereby reducing the structural deficit
How you can help
A gift from you ensures we can offer an outstanding environment for all our students to thrive. Feel welcome to contact us if you would like to know more about our strategic plan and the role you can play in supporting its fulfillment: +44 (0)1223 338337 or giving@caths.cam.ac.uk.
