It was an evening of joyful celebration on May 13 when Wyatt friends and partners, local and interstate sector colleagues, collective givers, and established and emerging philanthropists came together to launch Foundation SA.
Foundation SA is the state’s first state-wide community foundation and Australia’s first new community foundation in five years.
Premier of South Australia, the Honourable Steven Marshall MP, was on hand to mark the occasion and announced that the State Government intended to match the initial seed funding of $270,000 provided by The Wyatt Trust dollar for dollar.
Proving that you don’t need millions of dollars to be a philanthropist, Foundation SA enables individuals, families and corporate organisations to establish a named fund of their own in just 48 hours with an initial tax-deductible investment of $20,000 or more.
“Foundation SA makes philanthropy easy and accessible for anyone wanting to give back without the administrative burden of establishing their own private foundation,” explains Stacey Thomas, CEO of The Wyatt Trust and CEO of Foundation SA.
“Wyatt saw this need and in keeping with the legacy of Dr William Wyatt, resolved to establish a new community foundation to benefit the state. Foundation SA was an opportunity to work collaboratively with others who share similar values, as well as extending support for South Australians beyond the remit of Wyatt’s work.”
The initial investment capital and funding for the start-up operational costs of Foundation SA were supplied by Wyatt which also lends the new independent entity the rigour, governance and experience of the Trust’s team and Board.
Former Philanthropy Australia SA/WA State Manager, Sophie Doyle, leads Foundation SA’s day-to-day operations as Philanthropy & Engagement Manager.
“We hope to be an ever-appreciating asset for South Australia, supporting the people and the causes that need it most,” Sophie says. “It’s been incredible to see people’s reactions when they realise the potential for impactful and accessible giving and the future opportunities Foundation SA presents for our community.”
“A tax-deductible donation to Foundation SA today becomes a long-term investment for the benefit of our local communities and the future of South Australia.”
Anyone can join the giving community at Foundation SA, with donor motivations and the range of cause areas supported are as diverse as the South Australian community it serves.
“We established a corporate sub-fund with Foundation SA to engage our staff and demonstrate our commitment to giving back to the communities in which we operate,” explains
Lachlan Turner of Adelaide-based Turner Real Estate.
“Our staff at Turner Real Estate will determine our giving priorities, which currently include the environment and homelessness.”
For Naomi and Peter Von Czarnecki, the opportunity to create a lasting legacy was the motivation for their decision to leave a bequest that will establish a perpetual fund in their name.
“Knowing that long after Peter and I are gone, the important work of grassroots animal shelters will still be supported in our name gives us such joy,” says Naomi Von Czarnecki.
South Australian Minister for Human Services, Michelle Lensink, said Foundation SA will be a “gamechanger for philanthropy in this state.”
“Foundation SA gives aspiring donors an opportunity to begin a new era of philanthropic giving in our state and by bringing together philanthropists, government, businesses and charities in a way that maximises the power of their donations,” Minister Lensink said.
“Now individuals and businesses looking to make philanthropic donations have a single place to channel their contributions at any time, knowing their money will be spent in South Australia, and with the option to target donations to the cause closest to their heart.”
Learn more about Foundation SA by visiting the website
Find out more about community foundations here.
Related:
New foundation launches to grow SA philanthropy
New community foundation for South Australia
