Together » Thank you – CHL

Thank you for supporting humanitarian leadership

Too often, decisions are made far from the frontline – slowing responses and leaving communities at risk. Your support changes that.

You’re helping to back frontline leaders

The Centre for Humanitarian Leadership was built on a radical idea: that the most effective humanitarian leaders are often already in the communities facing crisis. They just need the right training and support. Fifteen years on, that idea has produced 789 graduates working across 100 countries*. Your gift is part of that story.

Thanks to your support, we can:

invest in local leadership scholarships to bring crisis responders from resource-scarce communities into world-class training, so the people who already know their communities are also equipped to lead them through disaster
expand our training into Ukraine, the Pacific, Africa and Arabic- and Spanish-speaking regions, where demand for skilled humanitarian leaders far outpaces current capacity
shape the system, not just the individual, with 67 academic publications and 38 research reports meaning the Centre’s influence extends well beyond individual graduates and informs how humanitarian organisations operate at a global scale
ensure the Centre’s graduates are embedded in their own communities, creating leadership that stays for the long haul.

Subscribe to the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership newsletter

Together, our community is empowering students, driving discoveries and strengthening communities locally and globally.

Rebuilding communities, rebuilding hope

‘It is so easy to become overwhelmed, but for every bad news story I can give you 10 good news stories and hold up literally thousands of people who have come through our programs who are out there in the world doing real work.’

Associate Professor Mary Ana McGlasson, Director, Centre for Humanitarian Leadership

Let’s make the wonderful possible, together

Discover Together, Deakin’s call to imagine what’s possible and make it real.

At Deakin, bold ideas and collective action are creating a fairer, more sustainable future. Our alumni, partners and donors are changing lives through supporting education and powering research that’s helping solve local and global challenges.

Join us

Read the Deakin Difference, our annual donor impact report

THE DEAKIN DIFFERENCE Donor Impact Report 2025

Read it now

Black and white photo of five people in front of a car with "Deakin Uni" written on the side, a "No Parking" sign, and logos.

THE DKIN DIFFERENCE Donor Impact Report 2024

Read it now

Magazine cover: "The dKin Difference." Woman holds soccer ball in a gym at Deakin University.

THE DKIN DIFFERENCE Donor Impact Report 2023

Read it now

THE DKIN DIFFERENCE Donor Impact Report 2022

Read it now

Deakin University cover. Graduate in cap & gown with football attire on grass. Title: The dKin Difference.

THE DKIN DIFFERENCE Donor Impact Report 2021

Read it now

Deakin University fundraising document. Woman smiles in front of wire sculpture. "The dKin Difference.

THE DKIN DIFFERENCE Donor Impact Report 2020

Read it now

What's Next

Centre for Humanitarian Leadership Transforming humanitarian leadership and systems through partnerships, education and research.

Learn more

Your Deakin community Your connection to Deakin goes beyond your generous support of our students and ground-breaking research.

Learn more

Deakin Sanctuary Scholarships Together we can provide life-changing support for students from asylum seeker or refugee backgrounds and help make a university education possible.

Learn more

*Source: Centre for Humanitarian Leadership

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.