A Guide to Giving

A Guide to Giving
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2010 update: The Guide has been updated to reflect new legislative changes.

Getting started in philanthropy may seem intimidating if you've never done it before - there are so many different ways to give and so many potential causes to give to! Here is a step by step guide to simplify the process.

 

1. Philanthropy Australia's Guide to Giving

The Guide to Giving is a free downloadable PDF publication. Downloading the Guide to Giving is a good starting point because it is designed for people who are new to the idea of planned giving and don't know what questions to ask or who to ask them of. The Guide will give you some basic information about the different types of legal structures available, as well as about identifying your own giving priorities.

Click here to download or find out more about the Guide to Giving.

 

2. Further research

Once you have read the Guide to Giving, you will probably want to do some more research to widen your knowledge of philanthropy. You may wish to visit the websites of some of our member foundations to see the kind of activities and projects they are involved in - you can find plenty of foundations in our Members List. Or perhaps you would like to visit the websites of some charities - you can find many charities linked on the External site opens in a new windowPro Bono Australia website, the External site opens in a new windowOur Community website or the External site opens in a new windowAuscharity site. Our External site opens in a new window30 Year Celebration will also give you a great idea of the stories behind Australian philanthropy and some of the wonderful work done by Australian philanthropists.

You may also wish to investigate some more detail about legal structures and options. The Australian Taxation Office is a good place to start for donations and tax concessions, as well as for documents such as the model trust deed for Private Ancillary Funds. Start with the External site opens in a new windowNonprofit section of their website.

Finally, if you'd like to get a good idea of the current trends and issues in the sector, and of who's doing what, you may wish to subscribe to Australian Philanthropy journal.

 

3. Find a professional advisor

If you decide to go ahead with a formal giving vehicle, you will need to find a professional advisor to assist you with the establishment of your legal structure. Even if you decide to do something as simple as make a bequest in your will, you may wish to consult a professional advisor. You can find a list of professional advisors on our Service Providers page.

 

4. Begin operations!

Once you begin to operate as a giver, you will probably find that you have a new set of questions. Many of these have been faced by others in the past, and you will be able to learn from their experience. A subscription to Australian Philanthropy journal will provide you with a wide variety of information from your peers in the field. Membership of Philanthropy Australia will give you access to help from our experienced staff who will be able to assist you with answers to your questions.

 

5. Stay connected

Becoming a Member of Philanthropy Australia will enable you to meet other people working in philanthropy and to discover new ways to collaborate and learn from others. Increase the effectiveness of your giving by joining one or more of Philanthropy Australia's Affinity Groups or Networks, and taking advantage of the experience and information that the philanthropic community can provide you with. Keep in touch with current events via our membership newsletters and other services, and never stop learning.

 

What is the Guide to Giving?

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.

The Guide to Giving is supported by The Myer Foundation. It is available for free download from Philanthropy Australia.

  Click here to download the guide now (PDF)

Who will find it useful?

Anyone who would like to be involved in giving in Australia will find something useful in the Guide, including:

 

What is in the Guide?

Introduction

  What's What

  Introduction to Terms

Section One: Getting Started

  A). Personal Motivations

    WORKSHEET - Why Give?

  B) Assets

    WORKSHEET - Assets

  C. Constraints

  D. Giving Focus

    WORKSHEET - What to Give To

    WORKSHEET - Who to Give to

Section Two: Examine Your Options

  Unplanned giving

  Planned giving

  Giving tools

    A. Options for Unplanned Giving

      1. Giving money directly to a charity

      2. Donating time to a charity

      3. Donating goods or property to a charity

      4. Donating directly to individuals

    B. Options for planned giving

      1. Setting up your own charity

      2. Leaving a bequest in your will to a charity

      3. Setting up your own charitable foundation (during your lifetime)

  Private Ancillary Fund (PAF)

  Private Charitable Trust

  Ancillary fund (Public fund)

    4. Leaving money in your will to establish a foundation

    5. Establishing a foundation with a trustee company

    6. Donating to another foundation

    7. Setting up a sub-fund of a community foundation

    8. Giving through an intermediary

    9. Joining with others to donate through a Giving Circle

    10. Donating through a workplace payroll giving scheme

  Comparison Tables

  Conclusion

Section Three: Resources

  Glossary

  Further Assistance

  Professional Advisors - Philanthropic Foundations


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