Australian Communities Foundation National Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19

The Australian Communities Foundation National Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19 is a philanthropic initiative established by the Australian Communities Foundation (ACF), a prominent nonprofit community foundation in Australia. The fund was created to provide disaster relief specifically targeted at Australians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

The Australian Communities Foundation is Australia’s only national community foundation, established to facilitate smart, rewarding, and effective giving across the country. With over 27 years of experience, ACF supports structured philanthropy through donor-advised funds, private ancillary funds, collective giving, scholarships, and more. The Foundation aims to make philanthropy easy and accessible, enabling thousands of individuals and organizations nationwide to support causes they care about effectively[4].

National Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19

The National Crisis Response Fund was launched as a Trustee-led initiative by ACF to collectively raise and distribute funds that address the gaps left by government and other funding bodies during national emergencies. Established in 2020, the COVID-19-specific arm of this fund focuses on supporting communities and individuals within Australia experiencing distress due to the pandemic. It operates as a disaster relief fund providing grants to grassroots organizations and community groups directly aiding those affected by COVID-19’s social and economic impacts[1][2][3].

Since its inception, the National Crisis Response Fund has mobilized collective funding exceeding $1.5 million and has awarded more than 100 grants not only for COVID-19 relief but also for other crises such as the 2019–20 bushfires and subsequent flood events across Australia. The fund aims to fill urgent needs unmet by other sources, ensuring that assistance reaches vulnerable populations promptly[5].

Impact and Philanthropic Approach

The fund embodies the Foundation’s broader commitment to strategic grantmaking and structured philanthropy, supporting the effectiveness and sustainability of giving. By pooling resources from diverse donors and leveraging the expertise of ACF, the fund enhances the capacity of local organizations responding to crises throughout the country.

ACF also recognizes the evolving landscape of philanthropy, particularly the growing influence of younger givers who seek to use philanthropy as a means of redistributing wealth and enacting social change. Initiatives like the National Crisis Response Fund reflect this progressive approach, combining responsive funding with long-term community resilience-building[5].

Summary

The Australian Communities Foundation National Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19 serves as a vital mechanism for coordinated philanthropic response to the COVID-19 crisis within Australia. Through collective funding and targeted grants, it supports communities and individuals facing hardship due to the pandemic and other emergencies, reinforcing ACF’s role as a leader in national philanthropy and crisis relief.

Key Information

• Organisation: Australian Communities Foundation
• Fund: National Crisis Response Fund: COVID-19
• ABN: 93895133560RR0001
• Focus: COVID-19 disaster relief for Australians
• Established: 2020

The fund is a model of collective philanthropy responding to urgent national needs while promoting strategic, inclusive, and effective giving across Australia.

[1] https://crisisresponse.communityfoundation.org.au [2] https://covid19.communityfoundation.org.au [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/c9517b26-58b0-ea11-a812-000d3ad1f9f4/documents/80161756-5882-ec11-8d20-002248929301 [4] https://communityfoundation.org.au [5] https://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/359417/sub100-philanthropy.pdf