Our research team at Strategic Grants spends 80+ hours a week researching grants and funding for our GEMS funding portal updates, and this includes staying up to date with what’s happening in the not-for-profit and for-purpose sector. As Research Coordinator, each week I create a shortlist of interesting or useful sector updates, articles, webinars and research to share with the SG team.
It’s great to see this up-to-date information integrated not only into not GEMS, but also our client updates and strategies, workshops and webinars.
February 2023 has been a big month with announcements from the Australian government, philanthropic organisations and the wider industry, which look to have positive effects.
Charitable Giving Government Review
The Federal Government is commencing a charitable giving review as it aims to increase not-for-profit giving in Australia. The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP announced a once in a generation review to help boost donations to charities and double philanthropic giving by 2030. Labor announced this goal in April 2022 and are following up on their pledge.
The Productivity Commission will consult broadly, including with Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, the philanthropic, not‑for‑profit and business sectors and the general public. The Commission will hold public hearings, invite public submissions and release a draft report for public review. The final report will be due in the first half of 2024.
Sources: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2022/media-releases/harnessing-generosity-boosting-philanthropy and https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/philanthropy/terms-of-reference
Philanthropy Australia strategic partnership announced
Philanthropy Australia has announced a new strategic partnership with six philanthropic organisations: Equity Trustees, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, Perpetual, Snow Foundation and an anonymous foundation. This partnership will support the implementation of Philanthropy Australia’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which aims to lift annual structured giving to $5B by 2030.
New National Volunteering Strategy
A National Volunteering Strategy is being launched by Volunteering Australia, in response to the decline of people formally volunteering within Australia, from 36% of the population in 2019, to 27% in 2022.
The strategy details 11 objectives and was developed from consultation with volunteering organisations and Government representatives. To support the implementation of the strategy, $4M will be provided to volunteering resource centres.
Source https://volunteeringstrategy.org.au/the-strategy/
Charitable fundraising law reform
In other Federal Government announcements, an agreement has been reached across State and Territory Governments regarding reform of the charitable fundraising laws. A recent meeting saw the Commonwealth, State and Territory Treasurers agree to a set of nationally consistent fundraising principles, which aim to streamline and harmonise State and Territory requirements on charitable fundraiser conduct. Each participating jurisdiction will release an implementation plan by July 2023, explaining how it will give effect to the principles through regulatory changes or legislation.
Have you heard about structured giving?
Structured Giving involves using a vehicle designed to enable giving, such as private or public ancillary funds, sub-funds and giving circles, testamentary or other legacy trusts. Structured giving can also occur without using a dedicated vehicle, through corporate cash donations or larger scale and planned contributions from individuals and families.
If you would like any further information on funding and how to build effective strategies to ensure you are funder ready, please contact us here or on 07 3892 1150.