The Telephone Campaign is an annual campaign run by the Development Office. It takes place over approximately three weeks and has two main objectives: to maintain links between current students and alumni, and to raise money for the College.
All alumni are lifelong members of the College, and the Telephone Campaign helps to keep that connection alive. Many alumni really value the opportunity to speak to current students and find out more about the life of the College today. Many also choose to pledge a gift during the Telephone Campaign and these donations are vital in enabling the College to continue to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.
True to the founding principles of the College, over 80% of our undergraduates are from state schools and nearly all require some level of additional financial support. To help ensure none of our students miss out on the opportunities available to them while they are in Cambridge, we are reliant on generous alumni support.

The Telephone Campaign is taking place between 12th and 29th September. Calling will take place between 18:30 and 21:15 on weekdays, between 10:00 and 17:00 on Saturdays, and between 15:00 and 20:00 on Sundays.
All calls are made by current students or students who have just graduated this summer, and they are ringing from the Sixties Room in Cowan Court, here in College.

Usually it is because they want to give something back to the College. They understand the importance of fundraising, and the direct impact that your donations have on their educational experience.
Students are paid for their time and given a generous allowance towards accommodation and meals. (This is not funded from donations received during the Telephone Campaign.) This allows them to stay in College over the vacation, to make use of the Library and other resources for their studies. The Telephone Campaign specifically takes place outside of Full Term in order for it not to interfere with their studies.
Furthermore, they acquire valuable communication and negotiation skills, which help to prepare them for their future careers. The campaign is great work experience for their CVs. The calling team is also a fun and sociable working environment.

Yes, the students receive full training before the start of the Telephone Campaign. The students are also supported throughout the duration of the campaign by the Development team and a dedicated call room manager.

We invite a group of alumni to participate in calling and they will receive either a letter or email from us in the weeks leading up to the campaign. We hope you will choose to accept the call and engage with our students on the understanding that there is no obligation to make a gift.
You will always be contacted before a campaign and given the opportunity to opt out. Please let us know if you would prefer not to be called this year by completing the online opt out form above.
If you would like to support the campaign by making a gift, but do not wish to speak with anyone or are unavailable during our calling times, you are still able to do so by using the online donation form above.

We are always grateful to those who choose to make a gift to the College during their call. It is quick and easy to make a gift over the phone. Our students can accept gifts by direct debit or by credit card directly over the telephone. The campaign uses the same platform as the College’s online gift form and is therefore just as secure. Calls from the campaign will show as originating from our Development Officer’s phone number which is +44 (0)1223 331660. If you are worried that the call might not be genuinely from the College, please contact our Development Officer on development@chu.cam.ac.uk who will be able to reschedule your call.

Yes, you can specify where your gift is allocated. You may find the above “areas of support” section helpful. The student you speak to will also be able to give you more information about the specific funds during your call. Alternatively, if you are happy to allow the College to apply your donation to the area of greatest need, you can choose to give to our unrestricted Think Forward Fund.

Yes, you can choose the amount, frequency and length of your gift. You can also cancel, amend, reduce or increase your donations at any time, simply by contacting the Development Office. Please email development@chu.cam.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1223 336163.

Please speak to our callers about mentoring opportunities if this is how you would prefer to support the College and its students. Signing up to our free, online mentoring platform Churchill Connect is the best method for volunteering in this way.