Get in touch
Contact our Advisory Team to book a free consultation or to request further information.
Olivia Clark-Moffatt, Director of Engagement & Advisory
Aaron McNeilly, Engagement Manager
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Support areas
Philanthropic services
Foundation support services
Structure advice and design
Client stories
Take your giving to the next level
ACF Advisory provides bespoke philanthropic solutions and services for clients across Australia. Support areas include grantmaking, compliance, administration and structure advice and design.
Take your giving to the next level with the broadest range of philanthropic services in Australia. With various options from light touch to full-service packages, ACF Advisory designs bespoke solutions and services for anyone seeking support with their giving, not just those who structure their giving with us.
Building on our long track record of strategic giving, connections to community and strong infrastructure, we offer a range of philanthropic solutions through ACF Advisory. Choose only the support you need. Talk to us and we will design a suite of services tailored to your needs.
In addition to the specific services listed, we offer advice and coaching across each area of support.
PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES
Support for all things grantmaking including designing a strategy, cause area research, grant processing and evaluation, and end-to-end delivery of grant rounds
FOUNDATION SUPPORT SERVICES
Additional services for trusts and foundations spanning compliance and administrative support, including tailored packages for Private Foundations (PAFs)
STRUCTURE ADVICE AND DESIGN
Support with identifying and establishing the right giving structure for a range of circumstances
Philanthropic Services
Our Philanthropic Services help all types of clients achieve their giving goals, including individuals, families, small businesses, corporations, trusts and foundations, and professional advisory firms.
Philanthropic strategy
Whether you are starting from scratch or seeking guidance in a specific area, tailored workshops and advice will help you with:
✓ Building a strategy from scratch
✓ Choosing the right structure
✓ Navigating regulation, compliance and risk
✓ Defining your values and motivations
✓ Identifying your funding focus and priorities
✓ Designing your Theory of Change
✓ Understanding your impact
✓ Getting your family involved
✓ Cause area research
Grantmaking services
✓ Decision-making frameworks and facilitation
✓ Due diligence and compliance
✓ Grant processing, receipting, impact monitoring and reporting
Grant rounds + scholarships
✓ Program design and development
✓ Guidelines, form templates, and assessment criteria
✓ Advertising and promotion
✓ End-to-end delivery of application and decision-making process
✓ Assessment of applications
✓ Feedback and reporting
STRATEGY CLIENT: NATION PARTNERS
“With the help of the ACF Advisory, we established our Fund to support communities across Australia.” Read more
Matthew Nation, Managing Director, Nation Partners, Corporate Fund client
STRATEGY + GRANTING CLIENT: GHD FOUNDATION
“ACF Advisory has helped us structure our operations, execute major grant rounds and give in ways that are effective.” Read more
Jo Metcalfe, Managing Director, GHD Foundation, Corporate Foundation client
GRANTING CLIENT: PRIDE FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA
“ACF’s established but flexible approach to grant reporting enables a robust acquittal process to enhance our impact evaluations without burdening grantees.” Read more
Ruth McNair, Chair, Pride Foundation Australia, National Foundation client
Foundation Support Services
Our Foundation Support Services are particularly valuable for trusts and foundations just starting out or for those looking to outsource certain functions.
Compliance
✓ Preparation of annual accounts and reports
✓ Liaising with auditors and investment advisors
✓ Preparation for and attendance at signing of accounts meeting
✓ Quarterly GST compliance
✓ Cash flow preparation and management
✓ Lodging Annual Information Statement with ACNC
Administration
✓ Preparation of trustees’ papers
✓ Attendance at trustees’ meetings
✓ Board meeting preparation, documentation, attendance and follow-up
✓ Meeting coordination and correspondence on behalf of the foundation
✓ Other secretarial services including maintenance of files
Private Foundation (PAF) Packages
Running a Private Foundation can and should be a joy, but it can feel lonely or even laborious when you don’t have the right support. Our packages connect you to community, inspiration and expertise, giving you confidence and peace of mind. Learn more
PACKAGE 1: GRANTING
Bring your giving goals to life in a strategy co-designed with philanthropic experts. Ongoing support ensures you connect with people and ideas to inspire you, plus granting recommendations that maximise your impact.
PACKAGE 2: COMPLIANCE
Enjoy peace of mind knowing that all your administrative obligations are met. Our expert team undertakes all compliance, financial and secretariat services, and regularly reports to your trustees.
FULL PACKAGE
This full-service offering encompasses both Package 1 and 2, helping you achieve both strategic purpose and freedom from the compliance burden, ensuring effective and efficient philanthropy
Support for community foundations
ACF Advisory also provides tailored support for community foundations in Australia across the areas of granting, compliance and administration.
COMPLIANCE + GRANTING CLIENT: DONKEY WHEEL
“The thing I value most about ACF is that it’s full of people with a deep understanding of the for-purpose space.” Read more
Paul Steele, CEO, donkey wheel, Private Foundation client
PAF PACKAGE CLIENT: V&F HOUSING
“ACF Advisory helped us set everything up administratively and legally – it’s been a very positive experience.” Read more
Ondine Spitzer, V&F Housing Enterprise Foundation, Private Foundation client
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CLIENT: FOUNDATION SA
“Being able to learn from ACF’s experience and share the years of knowledge has meant that we have been able to hit the ground running.” Read more
Stacey Thomas, CEO, Foundation SA, Community Foundation client
Structure Advice and Design
Trying to decide between a donor-advised fund, private ancillary fund, trust or another structure? We’re experts in identifying and establishing the right structure for a range of circumstances, including bespoke giving structures to meet your needs. Talk to us about your giving goals
STRUCTURE DESIGN CLIENT: KODA CAPITAL
Australian Communities Foundation has partnered with Koda Capital, Australia’s largest independent wealth management firm, to deliver a bespoke giving model that empowers Koda team members to build their own personal giving accounts and become philanthropists in their own right.
“Leveraging the existing infrastructure and deep expertise of the Australian Communities Foundation team has been critical to bringing our innovative model to fruition.” Read more
Paul Heath, CEO, Koda Capital, wealth management firm client
