Cambridge University Catholic Association
What is CUCA?
Fisher House, as the Catholic Chaplaincy to the University of Cambridge, is funded almost entirely by the Cambridge University Catholic Association (CUCA) from donations by its members and income from investments built up over many years from donations, legacies and our recent appeal. The Chaplaincy receives no funds from either the University or the Church apart from a small subvention from the Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board.
CUCA consists of all past and present Catholic members of the University. Its chief responsibilities are the provision of a Catholic chapel for the University, the maintenance of Fisher House, of which it owns the freehold, the housing of the chaplains, and the safeguarding of Catholic interests in the University. Its meetings are attended by the Chaplain and his Assistants, and by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Fisher Society.
How can I help?
Until 2008, Fisher House raised income by renting out Fisher Hall to market traders during the week. This was an unreliable source of revenue, and it required a disproportionate amount of the Chaplain's time to act as the rental agent. In 2005, CUCA launched a successful appeal for £2,000,000 to form a permanent endowment. The investment income from this fund is providing a steady supply of revenue to finance the activities of the Chaplaincy. Nevertheless, the chaplaincy still needs the generosity of its members if it is to respond adequately to the needs of ever-increasing numbers of Catholic students. Every Catholic member of the university is a member of CUCA and shares responsibility for the upkeep of the chaplaincy.Renovating Fisher Hall
Following a general meeting in 2009, it was agreed that CUCA should undertake a large-scale refurbishment of Fisher Hall. With the generous support of many members, the building works were undertaken throughout the Easter term and Long Vacation of 2011, with Fisher House reopening for the new Michaelmas term. Full details of the work are available here.Regular donations
Although CUCA is always extremely grateful for one-off donations, especially as we pay for the recent refurbishment works, we particularly welcome donations, however small, which are paid on a regular basis by standing order.
If you are a taxpayer, and you wish to make a donation, please also fill in a gift aid form. This allows CUCA to claim an extra 25p off the government for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you. Higher-rate taxpayers can even claim back some additional tax on their donations.
Please write to the Treasurer of CUCA if you would like further information about supporting CUCA through regular giving, single donations or bequests.