Giving

Giving

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Education is a powerful gift. When you support RMIT, you can help to create transformative experiences for students, researchers, and the wider community.

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Generous gift will help women succeed in STEMM

A $100,000 gift from GJK Facility Services will help disadvantaged students overcome the barriers they face to higher education.

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Support your area of interest

You can make an impact in the area you are most passionate about. 100 per cent of your donation goes to the project of your choice.

Art and Design

Equipping Australia’s next generation of creatives with the skills needed to preserve our past stories and shape tomorrow’s conversations.

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Society and Culture

Facilitating environments to counter injustice, promote inclusivity, and drive the critical thinking required to prevent society from repeating the mistakes of the past.

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Business and Innovation

Creating a just and sustainable future where industry takes a more adaptive and collaborative approach to the challenges ahead.

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Science and Technology

Helping Australia’s young minds collaborate to tackle humanity’s toughest problems.

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philanthropic scholarships awarded in 2022

raised last year to support University initiatives

donations received
in 2022

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Ways to Give

There are many ways you can support the RMIT community. Through scholarships, regular giving or a gift in your Will, find out how you can make a difference to the lives of RMIT students and researchers.

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Impact Stories

Learn about the amazing work of our supporters, and student success stories. 

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Helping young people achieve their dreams

The Professor John Jackson Scholarship reduces the financial pressure on students, helping them focus fully on learning.

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European travel brings new perspectives

The Ian Howard Memorial Scholarship gives exceptional interior design students the opportunity to experience European furniture design and manufacturing first-hand.

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Donation to help babies reverberates around the world

Philanthropic support is helping to improve outcomes for infants injured around the time of birth.

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We want to leave the world a better place

RMIT alumni Thomas Preuss and Philip Francis have left a gift to RMIT in their Wills. Their legacy will benefit RMIT students for many years to come.

See all Impact Stories
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RMIT Philanthropy connects our community of supporters - donors, staff, alumni, industry partners and students - with University initiatives they are passionate about, to deliver strategic funding and support that advances RMIT’s ambitions. The University was established through the generosity of working Melburnians passionate about an institution created just for them. The Philanthropy team is committed to maintaining this legacy, in partnership with our donors, by supporting extraordinary RMIT education, research and innovation outcomes that change lives and shape the world.

To ensure that RMIT Philanthropy protects the University’s interests and maintains the respect, trust and confidence of our supporters, we make the following commitments:

  • All RMIT fundraising activities will abide by the CASE Principles of Practice and Statement of Ethics.
  • We will not seek or accept philanthropic support that compromises our fundamental values and principles, including that of academic freedom, or where there is a likelihood of reputational damage, financial loss, or illegal or unethical activity.
  • We will only accept philanthropic gifts that meet the University’s legislative and policy requirements and support RMIT strategic objectives, in accordance with our Philanthropy and Fundraising Policy.
  • Any philanthropic gifts accepted will meet the University’s legislative and policy requirements and support RMIT strategic objectives.
  • All philanthropic gifts will be used effectively and ethically in line with donor wishes and any applicable cultural protocols. Where it is no longer possible, practicable or productive to use a gift strictly in accordance with its originally stated purpose or requirements, we promise to remain as true as possible to the donor’s original intentions and the objective they have sought to achieve.
  • Every philanthropic gift or pledge made to the University will be receipted in a timely manner, and acknowledged in accordance with the donor’s wishes.
  • Donors will be kept informed of the use and impact of their giving, and offered opportunities to meaningfully connect with the University and its mission.
  • Donors will be kept informed about RMIT, its evolving priorities and strategy, services, events and achievements. 
  • Personal information will be handled responsibly and in accordance with the donor’s wishes and all relevant privacy laws and RMIT’s Privacy Statement.
  • Where applicable, donated funds will be invested in accordance with the RMIT Investment Strategy and the Responsible Investment Principles. RMIT’s most recently published financial statements are available on our Annual Reporting site.

We've compiled a list of answers to frequently asked questions to help you easily find the information you need.
 

How can I obtain a receipt for my online donation?

An email receipt is automatically sent to you as soon as your donation has been processed. If you do not receive your receipt within an hour of donating, please contact us at giving@rmit.edu.au and we will send you a copy. 
 

Is my donation tax deductible?

If you are an Australian taxpayer and your donation is of $2 or more, it is tax deductible through your next tax return.

RMIT is a certified Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) with the ATO.
 

How is my donation managed?

All donations are deposited into the RMIT Philanthropic Fund and invested as per RMIT’s Responsible Investment Principles through our partnership with Russell Investments. The RMIT Philanthropy Fund is managed by the Philanthropy Fund Committee in accordance with the University’s legislative and policy requirements. Interest and earnings generated through investments are directed back into the endowment to support its ongoing success and impact.
 

How much of my donation goes directly to the area or initiative I want to support?

All donated amounts go directly to the initiative nominated by a donor; RMIT does not deduct any administrative fees.

RMIT is committed to using all donations effectively and ethically in line with donor wishes and any applicable cultural protocols. Where it is no longer practicable or productive to use a gift for its original purpose, the gift will be used in a way which, in the University’s opinion, best aligns to the extent practicable with the donor’s original intentions and stipulations.
 

How will I be advised of the impact of my donation?

All donations to RMIT are acknowledged in line with the size and designation of the gift, and in accordance with donor wishes. Therefore, you might hear about the impact of your gift in a number of ways, from personal letters and updates, to events, newsletters and our annual Impact Report magazine.
 

Am I able to nominate the project or initiative I want my donation to support?

All philanthropic gifts are designed to honour the donors wishes while also supporting the University’s strategic objectives and meeting our legislative and policy requirements. We have a variety of existing initiatives from scholarships and research to innovation projects that you can support to drive greater educational, research and impact outcomes. If you’d like to support a new initiative at RMIT, please contact us at giving@rmit.edu.au to discuss what’s possible. RMIT works together with donors to ensure your donation has the greatest impact.
 

What is RMIT’s investment policy and how are donated funds invested?

RMIT has a longstanding commitment to sustainability, and in response to passionate feedback from the RMIT community, we are strengthening our ethical approach to philanthropic investments. Our Responsible Investment Principles were developed to guide our investment managers and ensure that our portfolio minimises activities that have material impact on climate change, including involvement in fossil fuels, while also screening for issues relating to public health and wellbeing.

RMIT also regularly monitor the portfolio in relation to globally accepted norms on corporate sustainability behaviours to ensure we meet our commitments to the UN Global Compact. All donated funds are invested as per the Responsible Investment Principles and through our partnership with Russell Investments to maximise their impact.
 

When I make a donation, is my information kept private or shared publicly?

Gifts can be recognised publicly or kept anonymous if you prefer. All our donation forms provide the option to make a gift anonymously. If you select to remain anonymous, we will not publish your name as a donor. RMIT is committed to respecting your privacy in accordance with relevant privacy laws and regulations, and our Privacy Statement.
 

Can I include a gift to the University in my Will?

RMIT gratefully accepts gifts in Wills and appreciates the impact they have on the future of education, research and innovation at the University. If you’d like to include RMIT in your Will, please contact us at giving@rmit.edu.au and Gifts in Wills Manager will work with you to ensure your gift has the desired impact. More information about leaving a bequest to RMIT is here. 
 

Can I make a donation over the phone if I prefer not to donate online?

Yes, our Philanthropy team can assist you by taking a donation over the phone on +61 3 9925 5220.
 

If I live outside Australia, can I still donate to RMIT?

Yes, we can accept online donations from any originating currency via our online donation form and will receipt you appropriately.

Contact us

If you are interested in making an impact, please get in touch.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information