Giving

The ethos that underpins our Duchesne College community is to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. In fact, 'giving back' is in our DNA.

One of our greatest challenges is to ensure Duchesne can continue to provide a level of academic and wellbeing support that a broad-spectrum of women have benefited from across generations. This requires relentless attention to efficiently managing resources, investing in contemporary facilities, and providing more bursaries, as funding from all levels of government remains at zero. We also maintain a commitment to keeping fee increases to a minimum.

The simple act of giving what you can, from your heart, embodies the goals of the Sacred Heart and makes you a philanthropist; for that we are deeply grateful. Gifts to Duchesne College are tax-deductible and your impact, collectively, changes the trajectory of young women's lives forever.

Duchesne College Bursary Program

Bursaries provide opportunities for a diverse range of young women. These are for families who would not otherwise have the means to give their daughters the chance to reside at Duchesne or, due to unforeseen circumstances, remain at the College.

The recent support from our generous community has grown our College Bursary offering – but we'd love to expand this even further. Your gift to the Bursary Fund will directly contribute to our shared vision to provide a supportive residential environment for women from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Create Change Create Wise Women Campaign

In 2021, The University of Queensland (UQ) offered to match dollar-for-dollar the pledges for bursaries until the end of 2025.
As a result, the $2.5 million 'Create Change, Create Wise Women' campaign was established with the grand goal of 25 $100,000 bursary endowments with half of the funds supplied by UQ. Endowed funds only use the funds they generate, which both preserves the capital and guarantees perpetuity.

Each $100,000 endowment generates one $5,000 means-tested bursary annually which becomes available again after a recipient vacates Duchesne.

Any additional funds generated are reinvested back into the endowment to help future proof the program.

Since 2021, individuals, families and 'giving circles' of like-minded people have already made possible 24 new bursaries (as of August 2025). If contributing to endowed bursaries is close to your heart, please consider making a pledge of any amount over the year 2024 and 2025 by returning a pledge form.

Since 2021, individuals, families and 'giving circles' of like-minded people have already made possible 24 new bursaries (as of August 2025). If contributing to endowed bursaries is close to your heart, please consider making a pledge of any amount over the year 2024 and 2025 by returning a pledge form.

Making a Gift

For a one-off gift to the Duchesne College Bursary Fund
follow this link for credit card payments or use the following bank account details:

Duchesne College CREATE WISE WOMEN FUND

BSB: 064-786

ACCOUNT: 100027244

REFERENCE: Full Name

If you would prefer to make a pledge or regular donation, please take a moment to complete this form.

For enquires or for a confidential discussion please contact:

Ms Michelle Allan

Head of College and Chief Executive

T: 61 7 33772333

E: head@duchesne.uq.edu.au

Making a gift terms and conditions

Leaving a gift in your Will

If you're considering making a gift of any size to Duchesne College in your Will, please contact us to discuss how we can fulfill your wishes and ensure your generosity supports the education of aspiring young women into the future as your legacy.

Whether you decide to leave an amount of money, a percentage of your estate, a particular asset or what is left over once you have looked after family and loved ones (the residual of your estate). It is easy to include a gift in your Will.

Simply ask your legal advisor to include the gift you have decided to bequest to Duchesne College in your last Will and Testament.

If you would like your gift to have an impact in perpetuity through the bursary endowment fund, or to create a gift to memorialise a loved one, Michelle Allan, our Head of College and Chief Executive will work closely with you. She will ensure your wishes are clear enabling them to be carried out in the way you intend. Please contact Michelle with any questions you may have, all details below.

If you would like some examples of wording, please find them here

Duchesne College Building Projects

We're currently reviewing our Masterplan – and the future looks bright! As a next step, we are developing a list of strategic building priorities, and will update the community once the next exciting project is approved.