The Trustee For Geelong Community Foundation

The Trustee For Geelong Community Foundation is an Australian nonprofit organisation that acts as the trustee of the Geelong Community Foundation, a public ancillary fund dedicated to supporting charitable activities in the Geelong region. Established as a company limited by guarantee and incorporated under Corporations Law, the Foundation serves as a vehicle for individuals, families, corporations, and organisations wishing to create a lasting philanthropic legacy within the community it serves.

History and Legal Structure

The Geelong Community Foundation Limited is the trustee of three charitable funds including the core Geelong Community Foundation fund. It is the third oldest and the second largest community foundation in Australia. The Foundation was originally settled by eight directors and Peter Morgan, then Chairman of United Way, who contributed initial capital sums to establish the trust. The Foundation operates under a legal structure where the company acts as trustee of the trust and is governed by ten directors, all members of the company.

Mission and Activities

The Foundation’s principal mission is to empower donors to make a difference by developing Named Sub Funds and building a substantial capital fund (corpus). This capital is preserved to generate income, with only the income used to make grants to local nonprofit organisations and community groups. The Foundation focuses on meeting community needs in areas not typically funded by other sources.

Geographic Focus

The Foundation supports the communities within the City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast Shire, and Golden Plains Shire, focusing on enhancing wellbeing and addressing diverse local needs.

Grantmaking and Fundraising

The Foundation offers various grant streams aimed at distinct community priorities, including:

• Food & Emergency Support Grants
• Health, Resilience & Connection Grants
• Education & Employment Grants
• Environment & Sustainability Grants

Donors can establish Named Funds that carry their name or honor a family member or outstanding citizen, with options to specify their preferences for particular beneficiaries or causes. Scholarships and bequests are also facilitated by the Foundation to encourage ongoing community support.

Transparency and Accountability

To ensure transparency, the Foundation issues an annual report that includes independently audited financial statements. These reports are made available to local municipal councils, the press, donors, and interested members of the community. The Foundation also fosters collaboration and communication with other community foundations to leverage best practices.

Impact

The Geelong Community Foundation is regarded as a trusted philanthropic institution, encouraging collective giving to transform the region. Its model of retaining capital while distributing investment income has created a sustainable source of funding for diverse local initiatives, thereby fostering long-term community resilience and development.

This community foundation represents a mature and accountable approach to philanthropy, enabling donors to create enduring positive change in the Geelong region through strategic grantmaking and stewardship of community assets.

[1] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/e43f7a14-39af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182 [2] https://www.geelongfoundation.org/about/faqs [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/e43f7a14-39af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/documents/f9613a6c-6642-ea11-a813-000d3ad1ce4e [4] https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/Geelong_Community_Foundation.pdf [5] https://www.geelongfoundation.org