South West Community Foundation FAQ

What is a community foundation?

A community foundation is an independent and locally operated philanthropic organisation helping your community make a lasting difference.

By attracting tax-deductible community donations to its public fund, the foundation builds a capital base that is invested in perpetuity. This provides a permanent and growing source of revenue for community funding programs, with the interest returned to the people of south west Victoria as annual community grants.

What does “in perpetuity mean”?

The community foundation is different from other charitable organisations. The initial donation or gift you make becomes the capital and is invested to grow. Funds are invested securely and under the guidance of professional advisors. There is no entry fee or establishment costs.

Why a community foundation for South West Victoria?

South west Victoria has a strong tradition of philanthropy and community action, but local projects and emerging needs can be difficult to fund. The South West Community Foundation connects local generosity with local need, providing flexible funding and giving options that help communities create lasting change.

Our strength lies in our local knowledge, regional connections and community focus. We understand the changing needs of the communities we serve and work with donors, community organisations and partners to direct resources where they can make the greatest difference. By keeping philanthropic wealth in the region, strengthening local participation and providing transparent and accountable grant-making, we help build a stronger future for south west Victoria.

How is the South West Community Foundation structured?

The South West Community Foundation is a public company limited by guarantee and operates as a community foundation for charitable purposes across south west Victoria. The Foundation is governed by a local Board of Directors, with Directors bringing a broad range of skills, experience and knowledge of the communities we serve.

The Foundation manages funds under three established structures: the Public Fund (DGR 2), the Open Fund (non-tax-deductible) and the Community Charity Fund (DGR 1).

In May 2026, the Foundation received approval to establish its Community Charity Fund (CCF), providing an additional DGR 1 structure through which donors can support a broad range of charitable purposes and initiatives.

The Foundation and its Directors act as trustees of these funds, ensuring they are managed responsibly and in accordance with their respective deeds, the Foundation’s governance framework and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

How does the foundation decide how to use its income?

The South West Community Foundation takes a locally informed and community-focused approach to distributing its income. We consider the changing needs and priorities of communities across south west Victoria, drawing on local knowledge, community organisations, local government and our network of Foundation Ambassadors.

Where a fund is supported by a local advisory committee, the committee considers grant applications from local organisations and recommends suitable grant recipients to the Foundation’s Board for approval. This ensures local people with knowledge of their community have a meaningful role in identifying priorities and supporting local initiatives.

Grant applications and other funding opportunities are assessed against the Foundation’s priorities and the purpose of the relevant fund. Donors who have established named or purpose-based funds may also have an agreed focus for how their fund is used.

The Board retains overall responsibility for approving distributions, ensuring funds are managed responsibly, transparently and in accordance with the relevant fund purpose and governance requirements.

What about the Foundation’s costs?

The South West Community Foundation is committed to operating efficiently and sustainably so that it can continue to support communities across south west Victoria.

The Foundation’s operating costs are funded through fees charged for the management and administration of funds and activities, along with fundraising initiatives, partnerships and other income-generating activities. These income streams help cover the costs of employing staff, administering grants and funds, meeting governance and compliance requirements, supporting donors and community organisations, and delivering the Foundation’s programs and activities.

This approach enables the Foundation to maintain the systems, people and expertise needed to manage funds responsibly and deliver meaningful community impact, while ensuring that each fund is managed in accordance with its purpose and agreed arrangements.

The Foundation is committed to transparency and responsible stewardship, with its financial position and expenditure reported annually through its audited financial statements and Annual Report.

Who controls the foundation?

Our aims and priorities are decided locally by the South West Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, who consult broadly with local communities. The directors are local people with demonstrated skills and experience and with a record of commitment to the district. The directors are people whom the Australian Tax Office and ACNC regard as demonstrating community responsibility because of previous public offices they have held or their membership of professional bodies.

How will the community know how the foundation is progressing?

The impact report is published, including financial statements audited by an independent registered company auditor. Copies are sent to the local government authorities and the press. A copy of the impact report is also lodged with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. The annual general meeting is advertised in the press and members of the public are invited to attend.

How can the Foundation work with donors?

The South West Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, community organisations and other donors to find giving options that align with their interests, circumstances and philanthropic goals.

Whether you want to make a one-off gift, establish a named or purpose-based fund, leave a bequest or explore another form of giving, we can work with you to create an approach that suits you and delivers lasting benefit to the community.

We welcome confidential conversations with donors and can work alongside your professional advisers where appropriate.

Donation options and opportunities

The Public Fund

The South West Community Foundation encourages the community to contribute to the foundation’s public fund. Donations – large and small – which are added to the growing public fund, are tax deductible. For substantial donors there will be an option of establishing a named donation account within the public fund. In a similar way, family members are able to preserve the memory of a deceased family member, friend or outstanding citizen. Donors can also indicate a preference for supporting a particular group, sector or eligible charities with their gift.

The interest from the public fund will be spent annually to bring about positive social, cultural, economic and environmental change in south west Victoria. Grants will be made to organisations with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status which are working on projects in line with the foundation’s objectives.

The Open Fund

Donations or grants to the open fund can be made to a range of charitable purposes, not just to DGR endorsed charitable organisations. Gifts to the open fund are not tax deductible (although a business may receive a tax deduction as a business or marketing expense in some instances). Sometimes a tax deduction is not required by a donor as in the case of a government or charitable grant, a bequest or a corporate gift or sponsorship.

Funds contributed to the open fund will generally be used in that financial year on foundation priorities through the grants program and other projects.

The Community Charity Fund

The Community Charity Fund (CCF) is a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR 1) structure that enables the South West Community Foundation to support a broad range of charitable purposes, causes and community initiatives.

The CCF provides a flexible way for individuals, families, businesses, community organisations and other donors to establish or contribute to funds supporting a specific charitable purpose. It can also provide a governance and charitable framework for organisations or initiatives that may not have their own DGR status.

Funds operating through the CCF can be established for a particular cause or purpose, hosted on behalf of an existing organisation or initiative, or established as a named fund to create a lasting philanthropic legacy.

If you have a charitable project, cause or initiative you would like to support, or you are an organisation looking for a suitable structure to manage philanthropic funds, the Foundation can work with you to explore whether the Community Charity Fund is the right fit.

What can I give?

There are many ways to give to the South West Community Foundation. Donations can include cash, shares, property, artwork, bequests and other forms of personal or real property, depending on the fund and giving arrangement.

Gifts to the Foundation can support the community in different ways, from contributing to our general funds and community grant programs, to establishing a named or purpose-based fund that reflects your personal, family or organisational interests.

Many gifts are tax deductible, depending on the fund and the nature of the gift. We encourage donors considering a significant gift, bequest or non-cash donation to talk with the Foundation about the options available.

Whatever the size or form of your gift, giving through the Foundation is an opportunity to support the communities and causes you care about and create a lasting impact in south west Victoria.

How can I establish a named or purpose-based fund?

A named or purpose-based fund provides an opportunity to create a lasting source of support for a cause, community or area of interest that matters to you. Funds can be established by individuals, families, businesses or organisations and can reflect a particular philanthropic interest, family legacy or community need.

A named fund can be established in the name of an individual, family, organisation or other donor, creating a lasting legacy while supporting an agreed charitable purpose. A purpose-based fund focuses on a particular cause, organisation or area of need, with the fund’s distributions directed towards that purpose.

The Foundation works with donors to develop a fund that reflects their intentions while meeting the relevant legal and governance requirements. Depending on the purpose and structure of the fund, it may operate through the Foundation’s Public Fund, Open Fund or Community Charity Fund.

If you are considering establishing a fund, we welcome a conversation about your goals and can help you explore the options available.

How do I make a gift?

There are many ways to support the South West Community Foundation, and we can help you find an approach that suits your circumstances and philanthropic goals.

You can make a donation to one of the Foundation’s existing funds, establish a named or purpose-based fund, make a bequest, or explore other forms of giving such as shares or property. Depending on the fund and the type of gift, your donation may be tax deductible.

For more information, visit our Giving page or contact the Foundation to discuss how you would like to make a difference. We can work with you and your professional adviser to explore the most appropriate giving option.

Every gift, large or small, contributes to a stronger future for the communities of south west Victoria.

What tax benefits are available?

The South West Community Foundation manages funds with different tax characteristics, depending on the fund structure and purpose.

The Public Fund (DGR 2) and Community Charity Fund (DGR 1) are endorsed as Deductible Gift Recipients, meaning eligible donations may be tax deductible. The Open Fund is not a deductible gift recipient, so donations to this fund are generally not tax deductible.

If you are considering establishing a fund or making a significant gift, we recommend discussing your circumstances with the Foundation and your professional adviser to determine the most appropriate giving structure.