At Australian Communities Foundation, we’re all about resourcing the important work of not-for-profit (NFP) organisations.
Over the past 25 years, we have distributed over $100 million on behalf of our giving community. And while our role as a significant funder in the NFP sector is well known, our Future Fund offering for NFPs remains one of the sector’s best-kept secrets.
Read on to find out how to get the most out of a Future Fund at Australian Communities Foundation.
Quick refresher: What is a Future Fund?
Establishing a Future Fund is an easy, tax-effective and strategic way for not-for-profit organisations to develop their long-term sustainability. With a low-cost fee structure, a Future Fund enables you to build an endowment for your not-for-profit organisation. You gain access to our fundraising and donation infrastructure, and can enjoy investment returns through our pooled ethical investments.
1. Connect with our giving community
As a Future Fund holder, you have access to all the benefits our giving community enjoys, including exclusive invitations to thought leadership events and Learning Circles. These events bring together donors and community partners, and can be great networking opportunities for your organisation.
Future Fund holders are also given the opportunity to be featured in a community story and promoted in our donor newsletters. If you have an idea for a story, get in touch with us here.
And if you haven’t already, we recommend sharing your latest funding needs with our community via our Granting Opportunities platform. You can submit a funding proposal here.
2. Access your Fund online
This one is pretty straightforward but if you’re not already accessing your Future Fund online, head to our Fund Portal to get set up. Simply click ‘Forgot password’ and enter the email address associated with your Fund to receive a link to log in (if you don’t receive the email or have any issues accessing your account, contact us).
The Fund Portal gives you real-time access to your Fund’s balance, donation and distribution activity, as well as monthly statements.
3. Stay up to date with our ethical investments
All money in your Future Fund is ethically invested, which means your endowment is doing good while it is sitting there waiting to be granted back to your organisation. This is a unique value proposition for your donors too – their donations are doing good while sitting in the Fund. Staying up to date with our investments means you can communicate with supporters about the good your endowment is doing.
As part of our ethical approach to investing, we’re now actively seeking positive social and environmental outcomes through the Foundation’s first impact investments.
4. Promote the Fund to your donor base
Anyone from around the world can donate to your Fund at any time via our website, so we encourage you to invite your donor base to contribute. Each fund has its own unique donation URL that you can share with your supporters. We take care of all administration and issue tax-deductible receipts for Australian donors.
Be sure to promote the Fund as a way for supporters to help build your organisation’s long-term sustainability, and explain that all donations are ethically invested.
We can also help you set up a custom donation page with your own branding and integrate it with your own website, which can support your organisation’s online fundraising campaigns. If you’d like to discuss setting up a custom donation page, or would like general advice on promoting your Fund, contact us.
5. Use our fundraising licences across Australia
We’re licensed to fundraise in every state and territory. Use our licences for your fundraising activities across Australia and easily deposit funds raised into your Future Fund.
6. Access your capital or continue to build your endowment
Access your Future Fund assets for any purpose, including operational costs (think of your Future Fund as an untied funding vehicle). You can continue to build your endowment in perpetuity or choose to draw down the funds over time.
7. Use our office space in East Melbourne
The Community of Giving in East Melbourne is a space for funders, non-profits and the philanthropic sector to meet, collaborate, network, and co-design solutions to Australia’s most pressing issues.
As a Future Fund holder, you can access the Community of Giving’s shared facilities, including meeting rooms, videoconferencing facilities and a function space. Contact us to make a booking.
Got a question?
We’re here to help.