Fr Nick Lucas Fund
Help us ensure that no matter the challenge, our doors stay open – and hope stays alive.
In 2026, as we celebrate 25 years of the House of Welcome and nearly 50 years of Centre 360, we are honoured to establish a Fund in recognition of the intrepid work of Fr Nick Lucas, whose lifelong commitment to compassion, justice, and welcome continues to shape St Francis Social Services.
As we look to the future, we are inviting people who understand and value that legacy to help ensure it continues for generations to come.
Fr Nick’s determination, humour and deep generosity of spirit continue to inspire all of us at St Francis Social Services, Centre 360 Youth and Family Service, and House of Welcome.
In that spirit, we have established the Father Nick Lucas Fund — a lasting way to honour his life and ensure the values he lived by remain at the centre of our work.
This Fund is about urgency as much as legacy. It is about ensuring we are never placed in a position where the doors Nick fought so fiercely to keep open risk closing. Our goal is to raise $1 million to establish a strong and enduring capital base — one that generates dependable annual income, strengthens our financial resilience, and protects the long-term future of our services.
Your gift does more than help today – it shapes tomorrow. When you contribute to the Fund, you:
Keep Fr Nick Lucas’s Spirit of Welcome Alive
To honour Fr Nick’s dedication to welcoming and uplifting those pushed to the margins, the Fund establishes a permanent, mission‑aligned capital base ensuring his values continue to guide our work now and well into the future.
Ensure our doors are always open to those who need us
With increasing demand and a less predictable funding environment, the Fund creates a stable, durable income stream independent of annual grants or fundraising cycles. This resilience allows us to focus on walking alongside those facing complex challenges, with continuity and care.
Future‑Proof St Francis Social Services’ Work & Impact
The Fund secures flexible, reliable funding that empowers us to adapt as social conditions evolve, ensuring we remain responsive, innovative, and effective—regardless of changing external conditions.
Can the fund include property and assets?
YES. We welcome supporters to contribute property or assets to the Fr Nick Lucas Fund. These contributions enhance our transitional housing programs and help provide safe accommodation for people in need.
Can I leave a bequest?
YES. Leaving a gift in your Will to the Fr Nick Lucas Fund is a powerful and lasting way to honour Fr Nick’s extraordinary commitment to welcome, dignity, and justice. Your bequest ensures that refugees, people seeking asylum, and at‑risk young people continue to receive support, stability, and opportunity for generations to come. It is a legacy of compassion—one that keeps Fr Nick’s spirit alive and strengthens the future of St Francis Social Services.
How to make a contribution
We invite supporters to contribute to the Fr Nick Lucas Fund through a donation, gift, or bequest.
Bank Transfer
To make a donation, please transfer your contribution to:
St Francis Social Services
BSB: 062 124
Account: 1200 3122
(Please include “Fr Nick Fund” in the description)
Contributing Property or Assets
We also welcome contributions of property or other assets to the Fr Nick Lucas Fund. These gifts strengthen our transitional housing programs and help provide safe accommodation for people in seeking asylum and refugees.
Leaving a gift in your Will
Leaving a gift in your Will to the Fund is a lasting way to honour Fr Nick’s extraordinary commitment to welcome, dignity, and justice, while helping build a brighter, more secure future for those who need it most.
We invite supporters to contribute to the Fr Nick Lucas Fund through a donation, gift, or bequest. Get in touch to learn more about how you can help carry forward Fr Nick’s legacy.
St Francis Social Services, Fundraising Manager
Deborah Dissanayake
P: (02) 9331 2691
d.dissanayake@stfrancis.org.au