Together » Giving through Deakin » Ways to give

Ways to give

From a one-off gift to a lasting legacy, you can choose the way of giving that feels right for you – and support what matters most to you.

There are many ways to give through Deakin, from a one-off donation to a transformational legacy gift.

However you choose to give, every contribution goes directly to the cause you care about – whether that’s scholarships, research, community programs or cultural initiatives. We’ll work alongside you to make sure your generosity reflects your values and creates real-world impact. Explore the different ways to give and find the approach that feels right for you.

Ways to give

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Philanthropic gifts

Partner with us to drive real change

Thinking of making a significant contribution? Together, we can co-develop opportunities to create a lasting impact in the area you care about. Through Deakin, your philanthropy can deliver real change.

Contact our team to find out more

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Endowments at Deakin

An enduring gift that grows over time

Endowments are one of the most powerful ways to give. By responsibly investing your gift, we generate lasting returns that support the cause you care about most. It means your generosity doesn’t just make an impact today – it continues to provide stability, opportunity and transformation for generations to come. With an endowment, your legacy grows year after year, ensuring impact well into the future.

Learn about endowed gifts

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Community giving

Collective generosity, lasting impact

Every gift to Deakin makes a difference. Even the smallest donation becomes part of something much bigger when multiplied by the power of many. Together, these contributions create a ripple effect – transforming individual generosity into collective impact. The more we come together, the more opportunities we create for positive change.

Explore community giving

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Leave a gift in your Will

Continue the causes you care about

Leaving a gift in your Will means your values and passions live on through future generations. You’ve spent your life standing up for the things that matter most – your vision for a better world doesn’t need to end with you. Your legacy can protect the environment, advance mental health, ensure equitable access to education or fuel research that changes lives.

Learn about leaving a gift in your Will

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Art and cultural gifts

Deakin’s extensive collection of contemporary Australian art is unique, treasured and one of the most publicly accessible. Deakin participates in the Commonwealth Government’s Cultural Gift Program, which allows cultural gifts of art, books, scientific materials, manuscripts and more.

Talk to us about cultural gifts

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Giving from overseas

No matter where you are in the world, your support matters. That’s why Deakin has established programs in the United States and the United Kingdom that enable tax-effective donations. We’ve partnered with the Chapel & York Foundation to make international giving simple and secure.

Get in touch

What's Next

Impact of giving See the wonderful possibilities donations are enabling through Deakin, from supporting students to fueling research breakthroughs.

Impact of giving

Areas to support Help us assist students in need, ensure equity in education and enable vital research.

Learn more

Together By raising $150 million and connecting with 150,000 of our alumni, we’ll open more doors for students, accelerate new discoveries and build a more equitable, sustainable world for all.

Join us

Donor Charter

Deakin University Advancement

At Deakin University, we are driven to create impact by turning bold ideas into discoveries and discoveries into change that touches lives. This is only possible through the generosity, trust and shared vision of our diverse, global community of donors and partners. Together, we amplify what is possible and extend the benefits of our work to reach as many people as we can.

Philanthropy has always been a part of Deakin’s story, shaping who we are today and who we will become tomorrow. Our partnerships with donors are at the heart of creating opportunity, sparking innovation, and fostering excellence in education and research. Together, we make a genuine and lasting difference in the many communities we serve.

At Deakin we celebrate the transformative role of philanthropy and are committed to providing exceptional donor stewardship. We work to ensure that all our donors have fulfilling experiences when giving through Deakin. We are committed to building enduring relationships with those who share our passion for making positive change in the world. The generosity of our community of supporters empowers us to push boundaries, change lives and help create a better world. We are deeply grateful to all our donors for their support and strive to ensure every experience with us in philanthropy is positive and rewarding.

Deakin University’s Donor Charter underpins our promise to fundraise in an ethical manner that promotes public confidence and protects the University and the donors’ interests.

As a donor, and our partner in change, you can expect the following commitments from Deakin:

To be transparent, informative and professional

Deakin University adheres to the Universities of Australia Code of Practice for Australian University Philanthropy and to Deakin University’s Philanthropic Gifts Policy.
A donor can expect to be informed of the University’s mission, the way the University will implement the gift according to the donor’s intent and the identity of key personnel involved in managing the gift.
Individuals representing the University will act in a professional manner and will inform prospective donors if they are volunteers, students or University staff.
No programs, agreement, trust or contract will be pursued with potential donors at the expense of the donor’s or the University’s best interests and motivations.
The University and its staff will actively and positively provide relevant information on the University, and the use of and progress with the gift.

To use gifts effectively and ethically in line with donor wishes

The University is committed to ensuring that philanthropic gifts are managed efficiently, effectively and ethically, and in a way that reflects their intended purpose/s.
Should it become impractical or impossible to carry out the expressed purpose/s, or where the University reasonably believes that the original expressed wishes are no longer a suitable and effective means of using the gift, the University will communicate with the donor or the donor’s nominated representative.
As part of our commitment to responsible management and oversight of philanthropic gifts, the Chief Advancement Officer reports regularly to Council on the overall management and administration of philanthropic income of the University.
The University is committed to use gifts responsibly and ethically.

To respect the privacy of donors

Donors can expect to be treated with the highest level of care and respect.
Donors’ personal information will be treated confidentially in line with the University’s Privacy Policy.
Requests for anonymity will be respected, honoured and confidentially enacted.

To acknowledge and recognise donors and celebrate philanthropy

We will acknowledge and recognise every donor in ways that are timely, personal, and meaningful – celebrating their impact and fostering a genuine, lasting connection with the Deakin community.
We will promptly provide an official receipt suitable for taxation purposes, ensuring donors feel valued and assured that their generosity has been received and recognised.