Together » Giving through Deakin » Your Deakin community

Your Deakin Community

Your connection to Deakin goes beyond your generous support of our students and ground-breaking research. Get involved in, and inspired by, the Deakin community with access to events, library membership, exhibition openings and more.

People are clapping and smiling at the dKin Difference night at Waurn Ponds Estate. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Exclusive events

Moments that matter

Connect with a community making a difference. At our invitation-only donor events, you’ll hear directly from those whose lives philanthropy has transformed – and see the impact of your generosity firsthand. As a valued member of our donor community, you’ll also enjoy early access to Deakin’s public events – from thought leading lectures, research showcases, and community gatherings.

Keep an eye on your inbox for event invitations.

Group of mixed gender students near a barbeque in the outdoor area of NRAS

Stories of giving

Every gift has a story. Meet the students, researchers, and communities whose lives have been changed by donors like you.

Read their stories

Safewill

Make planning for the future easier with a discounted online Will offer available to members of our Deakin community.

Learn more about Safewill

Student looking at the camera and smiling while studying in Burwood Library.

Free library membership

Visit any of our campus libraries, check out books and online resources and access expert research support.

Deakin University Art Gallery sign on a building.

Deakin Art Collection

Explore our unique collection of contemporary artworks by leading Australian artists. Visit the Deakin Art Gallery at our Burwood campus or enjoy the artworks displayed across all our campuses.

Explore the collection

Two people are holding an orange coloured dumbbell.

DeakinACTIVE membership

Access fitness facilities at your preferred Deakin campus, free health consultations with a personal trainer, creation of a personalised exercise program and group fitness classes.

Explore membership options

PhD student Telisia Jayne Smith in zebra fish facility, Waurn Ponds. Her research investigates the possible effects of micro- and nano-plastics on our immune systems.

Discover Deakin research

The challenges that matter most to you – healthier communities, a sustainable environment, a fairer society – are the ones Deakin’s researchers are working to solve.

Learn more about our research

Monthly updates

Get the latest Deakin news direct to your inbox

Stay up to date with curated content about the impact of philanthropy at Deakin and upcoming events and opportunities with our monthly Deakin Times newsletter.

Update your details

Two men sitting outside a cafe with a laptop and talking to each other.

A group of five people sit on a bench outdoors, engaged in conversation and laughter under a leafy tree.

Change is a team effort

Many hands, many hearts, stronger together

At Deakin, we’re building a community of people who care – about students, emerging research and making a real difference. It doesn’t matter who you are or how much you give – whether it’s $5 a month or $1,000 – when we give together, our generosity adds up to something powerful.

Your ongoing support combined with thousands of others has an incredible impact. That’s the power of giving together – what we can achieve as a community is so much greater than any of us can do alone. This is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Make an impact

What's Next

Your alumni community Find out what it means to be part of a global network of over 370,000 leaders, innovators and changemakers.

Stay connected

Giving through Deakin Your generosity inspires ideas and empowers people with the potential to change the world, with every dollar going to the cause you choose.

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.