The Governance Standards are a set of core, minimum standards that provide a framework for governance and compliance for those running a charity. An organisation must meet the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Governance Standards to be registered and remain registered as a charity. Compliance with these standards is monitored by the ACNC.
Unless they are privately funded, all charities and not-for-profits need to undertake fundraising to raise the funds needed to fulfill their charitable purpose and mission. A common question we often hear when advising charities is “do we need a fundraising licence?” In this article we will answer this question and also provide an update on important changes affecting fundraising in Victoria and Western Australia.
A charity giving fund, also known as an ancillary fund, is a vehicle for public and private philanthropy. It is a type of charitable trust designed to provide an investment structure for philanthropic giving purposes. Simple and quick to set up, it offers tax deductions to donors and tax exemptions for income earned by the fund. In this article we will answer questions surrounding ancillary funds including what it is and the main reasons for establishing an ancillary fund.
Both the Federal and Victorian governments, as well as the national charity regulator, the ACNC, have announced a number of support measures aimed at helping charities and NFPs stay afloat and ease compliance regulation throughout COVID-19, so they can get on with the job of supporting people at need in our community.
The External Conduct Standards are a set of four standards that govern a registered charity’s operations outside Australia. The External Conduct Standards came into effect in August 2019. These standards aim to increase a charity’s transparency and governance, as well as ensuring any money or other resources a charity sends overseas reach their intended destinations, and that they are only used for purposes and activities consistent with the charity’s purposes.
In a rapidly developing digital world where cyberattacks are commonplace, data protection and privacy policies are becoming increasingly important. Many organisations holding highly sensitive information, such as Charities and Not for Profits ('NFPs'), must now consider whether they require a privacy policy and, if so, what should be included in such policy.
A free and multicultural society needs to protect both religious freedoms and people from unwarranted discrimination. The interplay between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws is becoming increasingly relevant, and at points they seem to be headed for conflict. In this article, we provide some practical tips for avoiding discrimination claims.
A free and multicultural society needs to protect both religious freedoms and people from unwarranted discrimination. The interplay between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws is becoming increasingly relevant, and at points they seem to be headed for conflict. In this article, we provide a summary of the state of play in Victoria, with specific regard to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).
A free and multicultural society needs to protect both religious freedoms and people from unwarranted discrimination. The interplay between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws is becoming increasingly relevant, and at points they seem to be headed for conflict. In this article, we examine the current anti-discrimination law in Victoria, and how it applies to religious organisations and organisations with religious affiliation.
Looking for legal advice on merging two 'not-for-profit' enterprises? Let us guide you with our expert advice. Mergers or amalgamations of two or more 'not-for-profit' enterprises can be stressful and can quickly involve a complex set of transactions. It is always advised that should you be in this position, you immediately consult a legal practitioner for advice about how to proceed.
Is your Not-for-Profit organisation exempt from paying income tax? Many Not-for-Profit organisations are not required to pay income tax, but the process of applying for an exemption differs for different types of Not-for-Profit organisations. We outline the key factors that enable a non profit organisation to be classified as tax exempt. Read here for more information.
Fill in our survey about the legal health of your organisation and get 30 minutes FREE legal advice!
FILL OUT SURVEY NOW
