Cambridge in America (CAm) was founded in 2000 as a 501(c)3 to advance the mission of the University of Cambridge and its thirty-one member Colleges by providing expertise in philanthropy and engagement and growing the base of support for Collegiate Cambridge among the more than 20,000 alumni and friends in the US.
Based in New York, CAm began through the merger of two fundraising organizations for the University: The Cambridge University Development Office in the US (CUDOUS) and The American Friends of Cambridge University (AFCU)—two separate organizations each with a distinct mission, budget, staff, and Board. The first board meeting of the merged group was on December 1, 2000.
Since its creation, CAm has served both the University and Colleges in its philanthropy and engagement efforts. Under the leadership of the Executive Director, CAm raises philanthropic funds for the colleges and University programs; engages North American alumni through content-driven networking events and communication; fosters volunteer participation through more than 40 alumni groups and four advisory committees; and ensures that all gifts and donations are appropriately acknowledged and distributed.
Among its many accomplishments, CAm, our donors, and our volunteers played a major role in the two most successful philanthropic campaigns in the history of Collegiate Cambridge: the 800th Anniversary campaign—the University’s first major capital campaign— which raised one billion pounds, and the “Dear World... Yours, Cambridge” campaign which raised a record-breaking two billion pounds. Donors to Cambridge in America contributed more than one-half million dollars to “Dear World...“ campaign, completed in 2022.