Buildings
The Foundation made donations to Downing College, Cambridge to fund construction of The Howard Building, a first-floor conference hall with reception and bar/kitchen facilities, which was completed in 1987 to a design by the neo-classical architect Quinlan Terry. Later support led to Howard Lodge with 32 rooms for student accommodation which was completed in 1994. Several international scientific meetings have been held at Downing College with the support and sponsorship of the Foundation.
In Autumn 2007 the Foundation donated £7 million to Downing College to fund the construction of a multi-purpose, 160-seat Theatre to include dining, break-out, practice and storage rooms, also designed by Quinlan Terry and his son Francis Terry. Construction started immediately with completion and handover to the College in December 2009. Since the Theatre opened, the Foundation has sponsored performances there including those by Downing Drama Society, outside bodies such as Cambridge Summer Festival and Cambridge Early Music and one-off charity events. See Downing Arts for further information about events at the theatre.
Click here for additional photographs of the main buildings at Downing College that have been provided by the Foundation.
The Foundation has contributed towards the cost of the full refurbishment of the Howard Building, and the insertion of a coffered ceiling in the first floor auditorium designed by Francis Terry; also the parking area on the northern and western edge of the College, a new gate leading to the Downing site, together with railings and landscaping, with facilities for bicycles and battery charging.
Heong Gallery
The Foundation became a Founder Patron of the Heong Gallery and supported “Downing Arts” which promotes cultural activities in the College and opens them up to the public where possible.
In 2026, the Foundation agreed to provide annual funding to support the gallery.
In 2022, the Foundation sponsored a sculpture named Cedar 2022 by the international artist Ai Weiwei, sited in front of the Heong Gallery. There is also a commemoration plaque to Dr Howard.
Book: A Classical Adventure
In September 2015, an architectural history of the College by Tim Rawle entitled “A Classical Adventure” was published, entirely supported by the Foundation, and offered at a discount to College staff and alumni. Since publication, all College contemporary alumni and Fellows have been given a copy of the book, along with a personal message, on behalf of the Foundation, from its Founder.
The second Edition was published in June 2018 with updated text and photographs, including a “timeline” of the College, and of College Masters and benefactors. The book is now available from the college gift shop. Click here to visit the college gift shop.
The Foundation has also supported residential and day visits by British architectural society groups to the College to study the “committed to classicism” architecture, including lectures open to the public in the Theatre.
Postgraduate Travel Bursary
In 2023, the Foundation donated £40,000 to fund a travel bursary scheme open to postgraduate students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. The scheme contributes up to £2,000 per student towards the cost of national or international travel to academic conferences or meetings. The scheme is managed by the college. This news item announced the scheme and the first award.