Australian Communities Foundation’s (ACF) mission is to work towards a fairer and more sustainable Australia by championing best-practice philanthropy and making structured giving more accessible.
As part of this commitment, we’ve engaged in thoughtful conversations about how our grantmaking practices should evolve, always with our Fundholders and the not-for-profit organisations they support in mind.
After careful consideration, we’re updating the minimum grant size from $500 to $1,000, effective 1 September 2025.
This change supports best-practice philanthropy by:
- Enhancing impact: Larger grants empower recipient organisations to plan and deliver more meaningful, scalable, and sustainable outcomes, amplifying the impact of each grant.
- Reducing administrative burden: Smaller grants can be disproportionately resource-intensive for both Fundholders and grantees. A higher minimum streamlines operations and enables greater focus on strategic giving.
- Encouraging thoughtful giving: A $1,000 minimum encourages donors to consider the most effective use of their Funds, aligning with our values of intentional and impactful philanthropy.
- Responding to inflation: This is the first time ACF has increased the minimum grant amount in over a decade. Prices increased by 36% over that time period, with inflation averaging 3.09% per year.
ACF was founded on the principle of making philanthropy accessible and impactful, and we will continue to offer low-barrier pathways into structured giving, including flexible Fund establishment and collaborative giving opportunities.
Last year’s lowering of the minimum Fund balance to $10,000 has been especially effective in reducing barriers and allowing Fundholders to grant much sooner than previously.
Together, these meaningful changes reflect our commitment to best-practice philanthropy and our evolving approach: one that is strategic, inclusive, and aligned with our vision for a fairer, more sustainable future.
If you have any queries or concerns, please contact [email protected].
