Established in 1995, the Tasmanian Community Foundation plays an active role in major projects that strengthen the community. The Foundation provides support and encouragement to donors and helps them meet their goals and the needs of the community.

The Community Foundation exists to promote the growth of organized philanthropy that enriches the quality of life principally in TASMANIA.

HOW?

• Serving as a leader, catalyst and resource for philanthropy.
• Providing flexible and cost-effective ways for donors to benefit non-profit organizations.
• Making strategic grants in art, education, environment, health and social services.
• Building endowments to help meet future community needs.

WHAT?

A community foundation is "an independent philanthropy organization working in a specific geographic area which, over time, builds up a collection of endowed funds from many donors, provides services to those donors, and makes grants and undertakes community leadership and partnership activities to address a wide variety of needs in its service area."

WHY?

Why give through a foundation structure – rather than give directly?

• There is more control over how the money is spent by the recipient organization.
• If giving through a foundation, it is easier to call for submissions, and/or develop a project in conjunction with a charitable organization for a specific project.
• Foundation staff and boards have community expertise about community needs.
• There is an opportunity for value adding to a project idea.

Community foundations are an innovative way of giving. They are independent philanthropic organisations working in a specific geographic area and offer pathways to enable funds from a community to go to worthwhile projects within that community. The Tasmanian Community Foundation offers a strategic approach to channel the generosity of its citizens, whether these are families, individuals or corporations. As the Foundation keeps aware of the community needs of Tasmanians, it can suggest projects for support which best meet the wishes of the donors.

By attracting tax deductible donations to its Public Fund, the Foundation is building a capital base which gives it a corpus or a body of money that is kept forever. This provides a permanent and growing source of funds to the community, where the interest on the corpus is returned as annual grants.

Funds entrusted to the Tasmanian Community Foundation's Public Fund ensures that this investment in the Foundation goes to the charitable purpose for which it is intended.

Tasmania has a proud history of generosity. Through the Tasmanian Community Foundation, this generosity can give inspiration to communities, to young people and to those seeking assistance in many ways.

The Foundation offers a very personal way to link you or your family with your own community. This happens by the creation of a sub-fund or management account which can be in the name of the donor, or as a way to honour and remember a particular family, person or company.

The Tasmanian Community Foundation is the ideal way to make a real and lasting difference - with advantages for all. On behalf of the Foundation - and all Tasmanians - we would like to invite you to discuss with us the best way to contribute to the future of our community.