Where do I start?
The following fact sheets provide useful information to help you understand options for giving.
See subpages in this section:
» Glossary
» Giving Options: Planned Giving
» Giving Options: Unplanned Giving
Giving has two components: passion and practicality.
Giving is deeply rewarding, because you know you’re making a real difference. You’re getting involved, using your money, skills and ideas to change the world. Your passion is the key to getting things done.
The practicality comes in when you structure and plan your giving. It’s important to make sure you know what it is you want to do, and what the law will let you do, before you begin.
First, you need to work out why you want to give and what’s important to you.
Then you need to work out what structure to use.
And then you can put your chosen vehicle(s) for giving in place.
Why do you want to give? What’s important to you?
You need to start with this, because you won’t be able to select the most appropriate structure until you have worked out what you want to give to and how much involvement you want to have. There will be some complication if, for instance:
- you want to give to individuals
- you wish to give for work overseas
- you wish to give to hospitals and other government entities
- you wish to give to community foundations or other grantmaking entities
What structure to use?
Check out the Giving Tree and the tables of options for Planned Giving and Unplanned Giving to get an idea of which structure’s right for you.
Put your structure in place
If you decide to go ahead with a formal giving vehicle, professional advisors experienced in philanthropy are recommended. You can find a list of professional advisors on our Service Providers page.
A good roundup of these steps and ideas is contained in Philanthropy Australia’s Guide to Giving, which will give you some basic information about the different types of legal structures available, as well as about identifying your own giving priorities. Click here to download or find out more about the Guide to Giving.
Once you begin to operate as a giver, you will probably find that you have a new set of questions. Many of these have been faced by others in the past, and you will be able to learn from their experience. A subscription to Australian Philanthropy magazine will provide you with a wide variety of information from your peers in the field. Membership of Philanthropy Australia will give you access to help from our experienced staff who will be able to assist you with answers to your questions.