The Impact Review reflects on a milestone 2025 for the society as it celebrated 175 years of helping people have a home, providing a safe place for their hard-earned savings and Making The Difference across Cambridgeshire and the wider region.
Throughout its anniversary year, The Cambridge marked the occasion by strengthening its support for local charities and communities, donating more than £175,000 to good causes, and committing £1 million over the next decade to help tackle homelessness and inequality through the Greater Cambridge Impact social investment fund.
Highlights from 2025 included:
- More than £175,000 donated to charities and good causes, including £117,914 awarded to 10 local charities through the Cambridge Community Fund.
- Supporting community partners Emmaus Cambridge, Jimmy’s Cambridge and It Takes a City through funding and 285 volunteering hours across 19 projects, further enabling the charities to provide accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness.
- £1 million committed to Greater Cambridge Impact, a social investment fund tackling systemic inequality across the region over the next 10 years.
- Launching its first multi-year grant, providing £50,000 per year for three years to support the work of The Angels Foundation UK.
- 934 hours volunteered by society team members to support local charities, projects and community initiatives.
- Expanding the Rent to Home scheme with two new properties in Woolpit, while three tenants fulfilled their dream of buying their first home.
- Supporting 46 Year 9 students through partnership work with Form the Future to help build confidence and financial skills.
- Hosting the Making The Difference Conference, bringing together 50 businesses, charities and civic leaders to explore how collaboration can drive long-term social impact.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, The Cambridge also held a chocolate coin design competition for local schools. Nine-year-old Erica from Exning Primary School won with a design that was turned into real chocolate coins for her classmates and members in branch. As part of her prize, the school received £1,000 for a numeracy project and a visit from The Royal Mint Museum.
Carole Charter, Chief Commercial Officer at The Cambridge Building Society, said:
“Reflecting on the different ways the Society has been Making The Difference brings me tremendous pride, and celebrating our 175th anniversary has made 2025 particularly special.
“For 175 years the Society has helped people have a home, provided a safe place for their savings, and supported communities across Cambridgeshire. This year’s review is a chance to look back with pride while also focusing on the year ahead.
“With more than £175,000 donated to charities, a £1 million commitment to Greater Cambridge Impact, and continued growth of our Rent to Home scheme, this anniversary year has shown what can be achieved when the Society and community work together.
“The Cambridge Building Society looks forward to continuing to invest in the people, causes and places that help Cambridge and the surrounding towns and villages thrive.”
The Impact Review also highlights the continued success of the society’s Rent to Home initiative, which supports renters on their journey to homeownership by returning up to 70% of their rent to put towards a deposit when they purchase their first property.
Two new families moved into the society’s Woolpit homes during 2025, and three tenants successfully purchased their first homes through the scheme.
Applications are now open for its next Rent to Home tenants - with three properties available: a family home in Northstowe and two self-contained flats in Great Shelford.
The Cambridge is now accepting applications through its award-winning Community Fund for grants of up to £20,000 for charities that support people with housing and shelter.
The fund can be accessed via a twice-yearly grant application programme, which awards up to £20,000 to charities, community groups and organisations operating within a 15-mile radius of our branch and store network. Deadlines for entries are 1 May and 1 November.
Visit cambridgebs.co.uk to read the 2025 Impact Review and to find out more about how The Cambridge is Making The difference.
