Your legacy can have a positive impact on their future
Through making a gift in your will to Deakin, you can support a young person's education through a scholarship or contribute to important new discoveries via groundbreaking research. We partner with you to ensure your gift honours your intentions. We recognise that drafting your will is a deeply personal process – any details you provide are treated confidentially.
If you have already made the generous decision to leave a gift in your will to Deakin, please let us know. This will help us thank you, acknowledge your gift and provide regular updates on the impact we are achieving in the areas that matter to you.
The experience has been very positive. Our contacts at Deakin have kept us in the loop about the scholarship and have also embraced us into the University community. This makes us feel comfortable about how the bequest will be managed in the future.
Dennis and Rosemary Holloway
Donors of the Cody Holloway Scholarship
Types of gifts
You’ve spent years working out what causes are valuable to you. Don’t miss your opportunity to leave an extraordinary legacy. Learn about the incredible support from our donor community and the gifts they have left. Here are the different gift options available to you.
Whole estate
Leaving your entire estate as a bequest to Deakin University involves allocating all property, assets and possessions to the University in your will. Once the bequest is realised, the University receives everything in the estate, including real estate, financial assets, personal belongings and investments. The funds will be used as outlined in the will, which will support Deakin’s educational mission and programs.
Percentage or fractional
Selecting a specific cash sum to leave can be difficult without knowing your estate's eventual value. By designating a percentage or fraction of your estate or its residual, the portion intended for Deakin University remains constant, regardless of fluctuations in your estate's overall worth. This approach ensures your bequest will have meaningful impact in the future, aligned with your philanthropic goals.
Residual
A residual gift ensures that after distributing specific gifts and settling debts, any remaining portion (or a portion of what remains) of your estate will be allocated to Deakin University. This allows you to leave a gift to Deakin without affecting specific bequests to your loved ones. It also maintains its value over time, unlike a specific cash gift that may depreciate with inflation.
Specific
A specific gift means any identifiable property, including monetary amounts, cash balances in bank accounts, residential or commercial properties and shares in companies. This also encompasses valuable personal items like jewellery and artwork, as well as intellectual property rights or royalties.
Why leave a gift in your will?
Deakin alum and former President of Deakin Law School Alumni Chapter, Lauren Solomonson (BA ’19, LLB ’19) explains how and why she’s making a difference for the next generation of students.
How to leave a gift to Deakin University in your will
If you would like to include a gift to Deakin University in your will, we can help determine where you direct your support. You may wish to fund scholarships, research or direct your gift to general purpose, which means it will support a cause determined by the University’s Vice-Chancellor at the time.
We recommend you share the following wording with your solicitor for inclusion in your will.*
A gift for general purposes
I give and bequeath to Deakin University ABN 56 721 584 203, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220 (the whole of my estate) or (a percentage of my estate) or (a $ amount) to be used for general purposes.
A gift for a specific purpose
I give and bequeath to Deakin University ABN 56 721 584 203, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220 (the whole of my estate) or (a percentage of my estate) or (a $ amount) to be used for (state purpose as widely as possible). If at any time Deakin University determines that it is impossible or impracticable to carry out the stated purpose then Deakin University may apply the income of the bequest for such a purpose or purposes as Deakin University determines most closely accords with the stated purpose.
Creation of Trust or Scholarship Fund
I give and bequeath to Deakin University ABN 56 721 584 203, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220 (the whole of my estate) or (a percentage of my estate) or (a $ amount) to be used for the creation of the *named* Scholarship (or trust). If at any time Deakin University determines that it is impossible or impracticable to carry out the stated purpose then Deakin University may apply the income of the bequest for such a purpose or purposes as Deakin University determines most closely accords with the stated purpose.
If you would prefer an online option to create your will, Deakin has partnered with Safewill to offer a special discount to our alumni and University community.
Our community of future donors
When you leave a gift to Deakin in your will, you’re welcomed into the Deakin Legacy Society. The Deakin Legacy Society keeps our members connected with exclusive events, updates and opportunities to witness the transformative power of philanthropy. Here are some of their stories.
- A living gift and lasting legacy
- A legacy of love
- Making a lasting impact for rural medical students
A living gift and lasting legacy
A passion for education led Lawry and Pam to confirm a gift in their Will that will fund, in perpetuity, a PhD Scholarship in Deakin’s Faculty of Health. A desire to see this impact in their lifetime led to them launching the scholarship in 2019.
A legacy of love
Discover A Legacy of Love at Deakin, highlighting how donations create lasting impacts and support initiatives that foster community and compassion.
Making a lasting impact for rural medical students
Learn how donations are making a lasting impact for rural medical students at Deakin. Discover inspiring stories of support and community engagement.
Got a question but can’t find the answer?
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about making a gift in your will to Deakin University.
Common questions
Skip to next topicDoes Deakin University have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status?
Deakin University is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) from 1 July 2000. It is covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Can Deakin be nominated as my executor?
No. The University cannot act as executor. The team is not qualified in estate administration and there is a risk of a conflict of interest.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do I need to tell the University if I leave a gift in my Will?
We always appreciate being told when people have generously included Deakin in their Will so we can thank you and invite you to join the Deakin Legacy society. Sharing details of where you are directing your support helps us ensure it is used in a way that reflects your intentions.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Can I leave a bequest if it isn't a large amount of money?
Yes. Gifts of any size will contribute to making a meaningful difference. A smaller gift can be added to an existing fund, or directed to an area of greatest need.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What happens if the area of research or current program that I leave my gift to ends?
We recommend including wording in your bequest that will ensure your bequest can be used for a similar purpose. For example:
'If at any time Deakin University determines that it is impossible or impracticable to carry out the stated purpose then Deakin University may apply the income of the bequest for such a purpose or purposes as Deakin University determines most closely accords with the stated purpose.'
For more information on future student services and courses:
Footnote
*Deakin University does not provide legal advice. Referring to an online will provider does not constitute legal counsel or an endorsement of their suitability for your needs. Individuals using online wills should seek legal advice before making any adjustments to their wills.
Contact us
Our dedicated Gifts in Wills team is ready to assist you in making the best decision for you and your loved ones.
Email us at giving@deakin.edu.au
+61 3 9244 3032