Named Funds
Donor Advised-Funds (Sub-Funds)
Named Funds
Donor Advised-Funds
A smarter way to give
Establishing a Named Fund is an easy, tax-effective and strategic way to support the causes you care about.
When you open a Named Fund with us, we take care of the administration and compliance, leaving you free to focus on the joy of giving. Returns from responsible investments are applied to your Fund and you have the flexibility to support your causes at any time.
What is a Named Fund or donor-advised fund?
A Named Fund is a personal charitable account established through a foundation like Australian Communities Foundation. Ideal for individuals, families and organisations who want an easy to give strategically, Named Funds offer a simple, flexible way to create a legacy of giving without the complexity that can come with a Private Foundation. Named Funds are also known as donor-advised funds and sub-funds.
Named Funds at Australian Communities Foundation
✓ Tax-deductible donations
✓ 100% responsible investing
✓ Online portal for making donations, requesting grants and reviewing your Fund’s activity
✓ All administration, compliance and governance covered by our team
✓ Give to charities across Australia with tax-deductible status or choose a non-deductible Fund to give more broadly
✓ Get set up in 48 hours – no establishment fee
✓ Minimum $10,000 initial donation or get started with a Gumnut Account
✓ Cost-effective Fund Management Fee
✓ Your Fund can be public or private – it’s up to you
✓ All the benefits of joining our giving community, including strategic grantmaking inspiration, co-funding initiatives and networking opportunities
✓ Tax-deductible donations
✓ 100% responsible investing
✓ Online portal for making donations, requesting grants and reviewing your Fund’s activity
✓ All administration, compliance and governance covered by our team
✓ Give to charities across Australia with tax-deductible status or choose a non-deductible Fund to give more broadly
✓ Get set up in 48 hours – no establishment fee
✓ Minimum $10,000 initial donation or get started with a Gumnut Account
✓ Cost-effective Fund Management Fee
✓ Your Fund can be public or private – it’s up to you
✓ All the benefits of joining our giving community, including strategic grantmaking inspiration, co-funding initiatives and networking opportunities
Fund or Foundation? Visit Starting a Fund or Foundation for a comparison or contact us for a conversation about which option is right for you.
Explore Tailored Named Funds: Corporate Funds, NFP Future Funds, Collective Giving Funds and Scholarship Funds
Key benefits of a Named Fund
Give now, decide later
When you contribute to your tax-deductible Named Fund, you receive an immediate tax deduction and the flexibility to distribute to your causes at your own pace.
100% responsible investing
Your contributions are responsibly invested, meaning your money can both grow and do good while you take the time to find the right opportunities for granting.
Get advice on your giving
When you open your Named Fund, you gain access to our philanthropic expertise. We can help you develop a giving strategy and connect you with organisations doing great work.
Build a lasting legacy
Your balance can be invested for the long term so you can support the causes you care about beyond your lifetime. A Fund can also be a great way to honour a loved one, or get your family involved in giving.
How it works
How to give smarter with a Named Fund
1
Establish your Fund
Choose a name for your Fund and make an initial contribution (starting from $10,000) to get set up. Gain access to all the benefits of our giving community, including grantmaking advice and networking opportunities.
2
Build your balance
You can make additional donations at any time and invite others to contribute. Returns from responsible investments are applied to the balance of your Fund.
3
Give to your causes
Plan when the money is granted out based on your giving goals and the needs of the organisations supporting the causes you care about.
Get started
or learn more
Contact us for a conversation
Give us a call on 03 9412 0412 or register below to book in your free consult and start a conversation about your giving journey.
More information
Fee information is available here. For more details on getting started, see the Fund Establishment Form.
Stories from our Named Funds
Resource: Fund Calculator
How a Named Fund can support lasting impact
Community Foundations Australia has developed an interactive Fund Calculator to help demonstrate the impact a Named Fund can have over the long term. You can adjust the initial fund size, annual distribution and average investment return to model different scenarios.
Note: This is not financial advice and is for demonstration purposes only.