It is estimated that there are several thousand philanthropic
organizations in Australia distributing over $1billion to non-profit
organizations. Trusts and Foundations refer to endowed funds set up
in perpetuity. They distribute funds to organizations that have charitable
status.There are about 300 trust and foundations in Australia
distributing millions of dollars each year to education, the arts, health
and welfare, sport and other causes. They are characterised by a diversity
of structure and can be categorized into the following types:
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Community Foundations
eg. The Queensland Community Foundation.
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Corporate Foundations
eg. The AMP Foundation.
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Family Foundations
eg. The Myer Foundation.
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Private Foundations
eg. The Ian Potter Foundation.
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Government Initiated Foundations
eg. G.C.B.F.
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Trusts and foundations managed by trustee
companies
eg. ANZ Trustees.
There is no compulsory or absolute register of Australian Trusts
and foundations. No one knows how many there are, what their total assets
are, what their annual income is or how much they give in grants each
year. It is reasonably assumed that the Australian Tax Office has these
figures.
More interesting facts about Trusts & Foundations
Beyond "Cheque book" Philanthropy.
International Principles of Philanthropy.
Case Study:
"Community Foundation Silicon Valley."
Case Study:
"Queensland Community Foundation."
Beyond "Cheque Book" Philanthropy
There is an increasing recognition among corporations that there is
much to be gained through their forming long term relationships with
non-profits. The notion of a business writing a charity cheque for some
tax advantage or social recognition is being replaced by a sense of
corporate social responsibility.
Non-profits are now forming strategic alliances with corporations.
This move is fuelled by a number of reasons among which is the recognition
by non-profits that there is an almost overwhelming competition for
the charity dollar. These relationships are going beyond a school
P & C collecting shopping dockets and exchanging them for computers,
or a charity receiving a percentage of the sale of a product in an
affinity marketing campaign.
In the new millennium there is an added dimension to corporate philanthropy.
That dimension would appear to focus on the community of interest
theme. Corporate grants are now being aligned with identifiable community
needs. The corporation builds relationships among the community, its
business needs and its employees. The Case Studies outlined in the
‘Partnership’ section of the online directory demonstrate
this new dimension to corporate philanthropy.
International Principles of Philanthropy
The World Congress on Philanthropy held in Toronto Canada, 1988,
help set the standard for information giving through the issuing of
10 principles. Congress participants confirmed “That this World
Congress on Philanthropy, Toronto, 1988, holds that it is most important
that those who make money, give money, and/or receive money for philanthropic
and public interest purposes strive at all times to work within the
following framework of principles:
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To support poor and disadvantaged people
in their struggle to meet their needs, uphold their rights, and
to build on their strengths, and that priority be given to their
interests;
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To assist people to gain access to the
information, education, skills and resources that will empower
& enable them to achieve self-sufficiency;
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To support justice & equity in the
management of resources among peoples and initiatives that promote
peace & stability;
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To maximize the participation of local
& indigenous peoples in planning & decision-making;
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To respect the culture & heritage
of other peoples, & to foster cooperative partnerships based
on trust;
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To end all vestiges of racial, sexual,
and sectarian discrimination, and to ensure fair and equal practices
in employment and in decision-making bodies;
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To ensure that the products & methods
associated with industrial & agricultural production are geared
to serve people & their environment & not vice-versa;
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To recognise the reality of global interdependence
& to respect, sustain, & replenish the delicate ecological
systems that support life on earth;
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To support the ‘sustainable’
development & management of the earth’s natural resources
& to strive to find the kinds of solutions to people’s
basic needs for food, energy, & shelter that are both compatible
with and enhance the environment;
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To be accessible and accountable to the
public.
[Source: “A Guide to Informed Giving.” Stegley Foundation
& Equasearch Pty Ltd. March 1990 page 21]
Case Study:
“Community Foundation Silicon Valley.”
The Foundation was formed in 1954 with a gift of $55,000. It has
grown to more that $583million and manages in excess of 600 individual,
family & corporate funds, and non-profit investment funds and
agency endowments. It is an independent non-profit organization that
seeks to create a strong community and to connect those who care with
those making a difference, and to sustain the local community over
the long-term.
Community Foundation Silicon Valley achieves this by providing grants
for a variety of local needs. It also acts as a convenor and catalyst,
leveraging new funds and creating partnerships to enable residents
to solve community problems. Community Foundation Silicon Valley awarded
$52 million in grants to help charitable groups, in 2000-2001. It
distributes about 5 per cent of its endowment annually & invests
the rest.
[Source: http://www.siliconvalleygives.org]
Case Study:
Queensland Community Foundation
The Queensland Community Foundation is a public charitable trust.
It serves Queensland communities by providing a permanent source of
funds for charity. Q.C.F. was established in 1977 under the trusteeship
of the Public Trustee of Queensland.
The goals of Q.C.F. include:
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Providing a cost effective, flexible & financially
secure mechanism for people/organizations who wish to become involved
in philanthropy.
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Encouraging individuals, communities, groups
and corporations to make a permanent commitment to the welfare of
the community.
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Providing public recognition for good works of
philanthropists & communities.
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Encouraging charities to provide for their future
funding by establishing a named fund.
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