NEW! Private Ancillary Funds (PAF) Trustee Handbook

From 1 October 2009 philanthropic trusts previously called Prescribed Private Funds (PPFs) became Private Ancillary Funds (PAFs). The legislative changes included the introduction of detailed Guidelines (Guidelines for Private Ancillary Funds, 2009).

This Handbook comments on what is required of the trustee, and directors thereof, of PAFs under the Guidelines and at law. It is not a legal document but a "plain English" introductory guide to the role and duties of the trustee(s) and all directors thereof.

Created in consultation with Philanthropy Australia’s Members, this Trustee Handbook is an essential document for PAFs / PPFs, Family Foundations, Private Charitable Funds and Ancillary Funds.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Download the PAF Trustee Handbook via the PhilanthropyWiki

Trustee Handbook: Roles and Duties of Trustees of Charitable Trusts and Foundations in Australia

Created in consultation with Philanthropy Australia’s Members, this PAF Trustee Handbook is an essential document for PAFs / PPFs, Community Foundations, Family Foundations, Private Charitable Funds and Ancillary Funds.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Download the Trustee Handbook via the PhilanthropyWiki

The Grants Classification System

The Grants Classification System provides a pre-determined, controlled vocabulary for foundations to use when describing or reporting on their grants. The Classification System encompasses six facets:

1. Type of support
2. Organisation Type
3. Program Areas
4. Population Groups
5. Geographic Areas
6. Time Frame of Grant

The intention is to standarise the terms used across the Australian philanthropic sector as far as practical, so that grantmaking can be documented and useful statistics on philanthropy collected which in ways that contribute to shared understandings.

Most foundations use some kind of pre-determined language to classify their grants, for the purposes of recording grant applications, describing the grants they make and reporting to stakeholders on their activities.  Having a standardised language, from which  foundation staff can select those terms which suit their purpose, will support this process.  By classifying grants and the projects they support, and archiving this information, an enormous amount of data can be retrieved, researched, collated and where appropriate, shared, thereby building our knowledge base.

The Grants Classification System represents a first step in producing a standardised grantmaking language, which we will build upon over time.

The System will be reviewed annually, and we are very keen to gather feedback from our Members as to how useful they find this tool, and any new terms which could be added to better describe their work.

Members are welcome to submit comments and suggestions to l.arkles@philanthropy.org.au

Download: The Grants Classification System in PDF Format.

A Guide to Giving for Australians

The Guide to Giving  is a guide to philanthropy for donors. Philanthropy is a voluntary donation of money, goods or time for the public good – sometimes called “time, talent or treasure”.  The Guide to Giving explains the different ways in which Australians can give. It contains worksheets so that you can focus your efforts and plan for the future, if that is what you wish. It does not contain legal information, which is best handled by a qualified professional, but it does list further resources including professional advisors, as well as websites and further reading.

Click here for further information.

FREE DOWNLOAD: A Guide to Giving in PDF Format.