Darwin College, Cambridge

Darwin College was founded 54 years ago through generous donations from our three founding colleges: Trinity, St John’s and Caius. The college was also enhanced over a number of years by major gifts from the Rayne Foundation.

Benefactions and gifts have enabled the college to evolve into the unique institution it is today. This strong foundation has allowed us to provide an intellectually stimulating home for students and research fellows alike. Indeed, the unique atmosphere of Darwin makes for exciting research interactions which transcend the traditional boundaries of faculties and departments.

Legacies to Darwin

Alumni and their loved ones often tell us of the unique impact that Darwin has had on their lives. Many have said that it opened their eyes to new horizons that may have looked out of reach, that the community and friendships they found here widened their perspective. Indeed, the experience at college shaped lives for the better through friendships made and career paths taken.

Donna Seto-Young pictured with her husband, Kian Cheun Young in Cambridge in the late 1970's.

Donna Seto-Young pictured with her husband, Kian Cheun Young in Cambridge in the late 1970's.

We are grateful to the many alumni, family members and friends have made bequests to the college. A recent legacy was received from the estate of Professor Donna Seto-Young (PhD 1976-79). Although living in New York, she was often to be seen in college for events, and attended as many in the US as she could. Darwin was always in her heart and she was thankful for all the college community did for her. Sadly, she died last year, but she ensured that her Will included the college and its future at its core.

Donna’s bequest was two-fold she wanted a proportion to go to ‘general college support’, and the rest to go to ‘student support’ in honour of her supervisor Dr David Ellar. This approach means that we are able to maintain the College’s buildings for upcoming generations and also offer student support to more of our members who are in need.

Dr Anna Dyer pictured when she matriculated at Darwin College.

Dr Anna Dyer pictured when she matriculated at Darwin College.

Dr Anna Dyer (PhD 2000) is a donor to Darwin, but in recent years has also set up a legacy in favour of the college. She says:

I spent the best ten years of my life at Cambridge, filling the roles of Technician; Research Assistant; Post Graduate Student and Research Scientist respectively. During this period, I was fortunate enough to be admitted to Darwin College which is truly a microcosm of the world’s greatest intellects. Darwin College - and the wider University - gave me the opportunity to converse with some of the greatest minds in many fields; make life-long friends from around the globe; discover strengths I never knew I possessed and changed my future for the better. A ‘Cambridge Education’ is truly priceless and I leave a legacy to Darwin in the fervent hope that it will open up this unique opportunity to as many others as is possible.

How to leave a legacy to Darwin

When making a Will, it is best to seek help from a legal advisor. If you already have a Will, you don’t have to rewrite it to include a gift to Darwin. This can be achieved by adding a codicil to your existing Will; again seek help from a lawyer. Your lawyer will also be able to help you with reducing your tax liabilities.

The information below provides the correct legal title for Darwin College and suggests appropriate wording for two of the three major types of bequest. Please consider making your gift for ‘general College purposes’. This allows support to be given across the core activities of the College, and benefits the largest proportion of members.

Wording for a Residuary Bequest

I give to the Master and Fellows of Darwin College in the University of Cambridge ____%(percentage in figures) ( ____) (percentage in words) of my residuary estate for the general purposes of Darwin College. The receipt of a person who appears to be a proper officer of Darwin College shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.

Wording for a Monetary Bequest

I give to the Master and Fellows of Darwin College in the University of Cambridge the sum of £ ____(figures) ( ____) (state in words) for the general purposes of Darwin College. The receipt of a person who appears to be a proper officer of Darwin College shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.

Please note, the value of legacies of a stated monetary sum decreases over time as the cost of living rises— so the actual gift may not in the end be what you intended. Monetary bequests are therefore often linked to RPI. Please ask your legal adviser for appropriate wording. Specific wording for Reversionary or Contingent Bequests is not included here because advice needs to be sought about the very specific terms under which reversionary legacies are drawn up and fulfilled.

A Specific or Non-monetary Bequest

If your gift to the College is made in the form of shares, stocks, property, pictures, or furniture, please consider whether you wish that they should be retained in perpetuity, or may be sold when advantageous to provide funds for general or specific purposes. If you wish to make a bequest for a specific purpose, that purpose should be stated, in place of ‘... the general purposes of Darwin College’. Examples might include: ‘...for the purpose of student support’, ‘… for the purpose of academic support’, or ‘...for building purchase or maintenance.’ You may wish to consult the College before settling on this form of bequest.

1885 Society

The College is keen to recognise those who have planned a bequest. Membership of The 1885 Society is offered to those who notify us of arrangements to remember Darwin in their will. Members of The 1885 Society will be invited back to special events and formal dinners. If you have remembered Darwin in your will, please let us know emailing development@darwin.cam.ac.uk.