Giving to ECU

The real-world impact of ECU’s Staff Giving community was highlighted at a thank you lunch at ECU’s Joondalup campus this month.

The University’s Staff Givers came together to celebrate the incredible impact their collective donations have raised for equity scholarships and more.

Joining staff in attendance were this year’s Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship recipients who were presented with their scholarship.

Inspiring students

Each year, ECU offers a $3,000 Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship per student, to those who face significant challenging personal circumstances, and barriers to study.

The scholarship enables students who are unable to financially support themselves, to take the opportunity to complete their degrees and fulfil their potential.

2023 Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship recipient and ECU Psychology student Heaven Rainbow shared how the scholarship made it possible for her to purchase a new laptop this semester when hers broke down mid-assignment.

“It has also allowed me to pay for textbooks, attend a conference to grow my psychology knowledge and contacts, and fund travel to classes. It might seem like a little to some – but this meant a lot to me,” Heaven said.

“When I applied to study psychology at ECU it was out of sheer determination to journey out of depression, complex PTSD, and anxiety. I have literally walked to wellness one unit at a time. There have been times when I’ve felt like giving up – but I’ve made it.”

Heaven explained she is hoping to further her studies through the ECU Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) program, with the goal of one day becoming a clinical psychologist and helping others in need.

“When things get really hard studying, and financially everything is a struggle, it feels so good to know that staff at my university care enough to give something to help people like me to follow their dreams.”

“This scholarship has given me such a boost. It has meant more to me than money, it feels like I have the support of ECU staff, to make it and keep striving to reach my goals.”

Recognising change-makers

ECU’s Director, Development and Alumni Relations, Susan Schofield said she was delighted to recognise the generosity of our staff donors and showcase the impact their donations make for scholarship recipients.

“Although these are Inspiring Minds Scholarships – please know that it is you, our students and scholarship recipients, who are inspiring to us, and no doubt to the many people you will go on to motivate, encourage, and inspire in your future careers.”

ECU Vice-President (Engagement) Sonia Mackay-Coghill said since the Staff Giving program’s inception in 2014, ECU staff have collectively raised more than $250,000 for the Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship Fund.

“To put in context, that is equivalent to 83 fully funded equity scholarships valued at $3,000 each. A total of 83 students have been given the life-changing gift of a scholarship, thanks to you,” Ms Mackay-Coghill said.

“In addition, our overall Staff Giving to any ECU Foundation fund equates to more than $564,000. That is an extraordinary achievement that we should all be proud to play a part in.”

Ms Mackay-Coghill said thanks to ECU’s generous Staff Giving community, we can offer financial assistance to the students who need it most.

“A scholarship offers so much more than financial aid; it also offers encouragement. It is a ray of hope for students as they work toward their goals,” Ms Mackay-Coghill said.

“It is our hope that our staff who give so generously, will share just how meaningful and rewarding it is to support these scholarships with their colleagues, and that next year we will be able to impact the lives of even more students.

“At less than the cost of a coffee per fortnight, we can all make a remarkable difference.”

Make a difference today

Sign up to ECU’s Staff Giving Program. You can choose to make a one-off or regular donation out of your pre-tax salary. For example, if 12 staff give $10 a fortnight we can fund one scholarship of $3,000 per year! Every donation makes a huge difference.

Want to know more about Staff Giving?

Visit the ECU Staff Giving webpage and download the Staff Giving Form today.

You’re welcome to contact our friendly team at the Office of Development and Alumni Relations for more information:

Email: development@ecu.edu.au
Phone: +61 8 6304 2761