A single gift to UQ can support a range of areas

The community and generations to come benefit from the world class research and teaching undertaken at The University of Queensland. You can support many different areas of the community via a donation to UQ in your Will.

The University’s broad range of research allows you to give though the one institution and support: medical research, including cancer research; environmental solutions for tomorrow; and students with scholarships. Donating to The University of Queensland can provide you with an opportunity to leave a powerful and lasting legacy.

Information on including The University of Queensland in your Will is below. For further information, please contact the Bequests Manager on +61 7 3346 3904 or email bequest@uq.edu.au.

What is a bequest?
How will the University use my bequest?
What wording can I use in my Will for a bequest?
Supporting an endowment
What is a planned gift?
What do I do when I have made a bequest? 
Can I make a gift in memory or recognition of a loved one?

What is a bequest?

A bequest is a gift to the University in your Will. A bequest to UQ leaves a legacy and enables you to offer support to the community. You can choose to give a portion of your estate, a set cash amount, real estate, shares, securities, life insurance and other assets, such as fine art.

How will the University use my bequest?

Like other donations, bequests can be for a specific purpose. A bequest may also be unrestricted and given to the University to allocate funds to a funding priority. Bequests have been used to support:

• Chancellor's Fund – Every year, the Chancellor's Fund Appeal identifies priorities for funding;
• School, Faculty and Centre Support – you may choose to support a specific University Department, School, Institute or Centre;
• Scholarships and prizes – These include undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, PhD scholarships and research fellowships; and
• Research – The University of Queensland has many world-class research areas, including health issues such as cancer, the environment and diseases of aging. UQ leads the way in fields such as brain research, coral reef research, tsunami research and biochemistry and is already finding solutions to global problems.

You can read about how UQ has used donations here.

What wording should I use in my Will for a bequest?

Having a valid Will means your assets can be distributed according to your wishes. If you have already made your Will, you can add a bequest. This is called a "codicil". At a later stage if you choose to rewrite your Will, the bequest can be fully incorporated.

The Public Trustee can assist with Will making at no cost. If you choose to use the Public Trustee as your executor there are charges associated with this.

Unrestricted:
"I give (my estate) or (portion/the residue of my estate) or (the sum of $_______) to The University of Queensland for its general purposes. I declare that the receipt of the University Secretary and Registrar shall be sufficient discharge to my trustees."

Specific purpose:
"I give (my estate) or (portion/the residue of my estate) or (the sum of $_______) to The University of Queensland for its general purposes. I express the wish but without creating any binding trust that if practical this gift be applied towards ____________. I declare the receipt of the University Secretary and Registrar shall be sufficient discharge to my trustees."

Directed purpose:
"I give (my estate) or (portion/the residue of my estate) or (the sum of $______) to The University of Queensland for (state purposes as widely as possible). I declare that the receipt of the University Secretary and Registrar shall be sufficient discharge to my trustees."

Supporting an endowment

An endowment is a financial gift where the principal is invested and only the interest is spent. You are able to make an endowment donation at any time, including in your Will. Similar to a donation, support for an endowment can be for a specific purpose or left unrestricted. Supporting an endowment will allow your donation to have a greater impact over time.

The University invests endowment funds and uses part of the interest to fund projects specified by our donors. The balance of the interest is added to the capital amount. Donors can continue to make contributions to the endowment fund at any time. UQ does not charge any fees to manage these funds, unlike external trusts. The University is also able to maximise return on investment and growth of the capital through its own substantial investment portfolio.

What is a planned gift?

A planned gift is a donation made either during your lifetime or as part of your Will. Planned gifts given during your lifetime may be able to be structured in a way that maximises support to the University by taking advantage of the tax deductibility of donations.

What do I do when I have made a bequest?

The University invites people who have left a bequest to UQ in their Will to confirm this generous decision. There are a number of ways UQ would like to acknowledge bequest intentions during your lifetime. Anonymity can always be maintained.

Download a Bequest Notification Form (Word file, 104KB)

Can I make a gift in memory or recognition of a loved one?

A donation can be made to celebrate the life of someone special or to signify a special event such as a graduation. A donation in memoriam can leave a legacy and is a special gift.

Your gift can be distributed in a number of ways that can make a difference to the lives of students or contribute to the wider community. A graduation gift could include a donation to a scholarship fund or a contribution to the University Library. A donation could alternatively go towards a research area of interest.

The Advancement Office can issue you with in memoriam envelopes and tax deductible receipts.

Click here to donate online or contact us for a booklet or to arrange a meeting to discuss preparing your Will to include a bequest to UQ.