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.

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.

Ready to start giving?

Contact Us
Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.