 In 1882 he gave 3000 guineas to found a scholarship in the Royal College of Music.For many years Clarke bore the full expense of the Rupertswood battery of horse artillery at Sunbury, Victoria.Amongst Sir William Clarke's other public donations are the gift of £2000 to the Indian Famine Relief Fund, of £10,000 towards building the Anglican Cathedral at Melbourne, and of £7000 to Trinity College, Melbourne University.