Think Ahead: Invest in the Future of Trinity Hall
Think Ahead, plays a crucial role in the life of the College.
Trinity Hall’s general College Discretion fund, Think Ahead, supports students, safeguards our historic buildings, and enables Trinity Hall to meet its most pressing needs with flexibility and strategic thought.
A gift to Think Ahead is one of the most impactful ways you can support Trinity Hall – highlighting the importance of your gift as an investment for the future of the College and our students.
Making an Impact
Think Ahead supports the Area of Greatest Need across College. That means your donation goes exactly where it’s needed most.
In the 2024/25 year:
- £856,000 was raised
- From 867 donors
- Through over 4,000 donations
- With an average gift of £174
We are especially grateful for unrestricted gifts like this, as they reflect a deep trust in the College to allocate funds where they are most needed. Regular Giving plays a vital role in this effort, offering a sustainable source of funding that ensures financial stability and gives the College the confidence to plan for the future – just as Think Ahead is designed to do.
Thanks to donations to Think Ahead in the 2025/25 academic year, the College completed essential upgrades to O Staircase on Central Site. This urgent project addressed critical maintenance needs and advanced our long-term sustainability and decarbonisation goals as guided by the 2023 Masterplan and Sustainability Strategy.
Highlights included:
- Improved thermal and roof insulation
- Secondary glazing to boost energy efficiency
- A new solar thermal array for hot water
- Full overhaul of mechanical and electrical systems
- Future-proofed pipework for low-carbon heating
- Restoration of damaged historic stonework
Thanks to the generosity of donors to Think Ahead, these works have improved the accommodation available to students whilst decreasing our overall carbon footprint, and preserving our part of history for future generations.
The refurbishment of O Staircase sets the model for future works across College in aligning with the College’s broader commitment to sustainability.
While current projects have focused on infrastructure and sustainability, Think Ahead has supported a wide range of initiatives in previous years:
- Supporting more than 90 postgraduate students over 5 years through studentships
- Digitisation of rare medieval manuscripts
- Support for Research Fellows
- Student travel grants
- Enhancements to our clubs, societies and libraries
Your donation empowers Trinity Hall to act swiftly when opportunities or challenges arise.
Why Think Ahead is so important
As a result of donations towards Think Ahead, this enabled the College to direct £152,600 to support students on the Cambridge Bursary Scheme. Nearly one in four undergraduates received aid in the 2024/25 year, including 41 students who received full bursaries of £3,500 – 21 of whom also received enhanced bursaries up to £2,100. A bursary of just £3,500 can support a student with their accommodation costs or provide a full year of meals and contribute towards purchasing essential books and equipment.
Donor support to Think Ahead enables Trinity Hall to respond swiftly to its most pressing needs and strategic opportunities – from student hardship and critical maintenance of our historic buildings, to enhancing library resources and supporting Clubs and Societies. Your gift has a tangible impact across every part of College life.
Gifts to Think Ahead not only support today’s needs – they can also be directed into the College’s endowment, helping to grow long-term income for future generations. A gift to Think Ahead is one of the most meaningful ways you can support Trinity Hall – both now and in the future.
You can make a difference
Together we can ensure the next generation of great thinkers, leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, and problem solvers find their home at Trinity Hall.