The Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Bathurst as Trustee for the Catholic Development Fund
The Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Bathurst as Trustee for the Catholic Development Fund (ABN 36939424395) is a nonprofit financial entity established to support charitable and educational projects within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst, Australia.

Overview

The fund operates as a financial instrument for Catholic community members and organizations to invest while directly contributing to diocesan initiatives. Investments are used to fund parish projects, including schools, churches, and healthcare facilities, with profits reinvested into these works after distributing returns to investors[1][2].

Financial Model

The Catholic Development Fund (CDF) offers fixed-term and savings accounts with competitive interest rates, such as 12-month terms at 4.25% and 6-month terms at 3.95%, as advertised publicly[1]. Unlike traditional banks, it does not charge account fees, positioning itself as a community-focused alternative[1].

Governance and Purpose

As a nonprofit, the fund channels returns beyond investor payouts into charitable activities aligned with the diocese’s mission. It is not regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and investments lack protections under the Banking Act 1959[2]. Its structure emphasizes mission-driven financial support over commercial profit motives[2].

Historical Context

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst, established in 1865, oversees the fund as part of its broader ecclesiastical operations. The diocese spans Central West and Orana regions in New South Wales, with historical ties to Catholic education and community development[5].

See Also

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst: The ecclesiastical jurisdiction managing the fund[5].
• Catholic Development Fund Australia: A national network of similar funds across dioceses[2].

[1] https://www.cdfbathurst.org.au [2] https://www.catholicdevelopmentfund.org.au [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/d6b0fb58-39af-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/profile [4] https://bathurst.catholic.org.au/applicationforms/31-day-premium-saver-application/ [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Bathurst_(Australia)