Introducing the Make Your Impact campaign

I am so excited to welcome you to La Trobe University’s Make Your Impact campaign, which aims to raise $200 million by 2027.  When I first started my role at La Trobe last year, the University was already seven years into its first-ever philanthropic campaign. Universities are sometimes overlooked as a great place for philanthropy, but La Trobe has continued to stand out as a distinctive and rewarding place to make an impact.

The Make the Difference campaign began in 2017 with an initial $50 million goal. The response from La Trobe’s community was nothing short of amazing – surpassing the original target to raise nearly $150 million to date. These funds have supported thousands of scholarships, helped create one of Australia’s most diverse student cohorts and driven advancements in areas like stroke recovery and Autism inclusion.

But we can and must do more

With the release of its 2025 –2030 Strategic Plan, La Trobe continues to build a clear vision for the future. At a time when Australia faces complex challenges, we are committed to finding smarter solutions by investing in health, science and education. At a time where education gaps are widening, we are opening doors to more students, from all walks of life.

La Trobe is ready to lead, driving innovation in fields that will define Australia’s future. We are pioneering national literacy reforms, advancing AI, and leading research in medicine and environmental resilience. Make Your Impact builds on that momentum.

The campaign is guided by three bold ambitions for the University, in areas where we are positioned to make the greatest impact.

• Pushing the frontiers knowledge: powering innovative research to transform our world.

• Vibrant, cohesive communities: building healthy, inclusive, and resilient communities across Victoria and beyond.

• University for all: everyone deserves access to a life-changing education.

The research projects and student opportunities that sit under these ambitions showcase the best of La Trobe – our capacity to serve, to innovate, and deliver real-world solutions.

Now is the time to Make Your Impact

Over the past year I have watched our passionate teams from across the University shape the Make Your Impact campaign. It is a credit to their hard work, creativity and future-focus, and I’m really excited by the warmth and authenticity of our platform, one that champions everything that makes La Trobe unique. It invites donors to collaborate with us to build a brighter future for Victoria, Australia and beyond.

Meaningful change needs more than vision, it needs you

We know that our donors care about real-world outcomes – helping students in need, improving the lives of regional and rural Australians, supporting medical innovation and protecting the environment. Giving through La Trobe turns these passions into impact.

We welcome you to learn more and find La Trobe projects that align with your philanthropic passions.

The future of Australia depends on what we do today. Investing in education, research and community impact is not just an opportunity – it is an imperative.

We invite you to join our growing community of donors who are creating real change.

Join us now to Make Your Impact