Glossary of Terms
Advanced Health Care Directives
Sometimes known as a ‘living Will’, an Advance Care Directive is a legal document that formally records your wishes for future care.
Application
The specific set of forms, documents, and attachments that comprise an applicant’s submission to a federal grant opportunity.
Asset Management
The strategic oversight and administration of client assets, including investments and portfolios, to preserve and grow wealth in line with the client’s objectives, risk profile, and long-term goals.
B-Corporation
B Corps are for-profit companies certified by the non-profit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
Bequest
A sum of money made available upon the donor’s death by provision in their will. Many people leave bequests to charities. Many charitable foundations in Australia have been established by Bequest.
Budget
The financial plan for the project or program that the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity approves during the Federal award process or in subsequent amendments to the Federal award. It may include the Federal and non-Federal share or only the Federal share, as determined by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.
Buy/Sell Spreads
When purchasing/redeeming units of a managed fund, there is generally a difference in the ‘issue’ and ‘redeem’ value of each unit. This is referred to as the Buy/Sell Spread.
Charitable Trusts
Structured philanthropy is and incredibly rewarding and powerful way to contribute to cause areas you’re passionate about in a way that creates real and tangible community outcomes.
Clause Bank
A curated collection of standard legal clauses and provisions that can be used in wills, trusts, and estate planning documents to ensure consistency, compliance, and efficiency in drafting.
Community Trusts
We work together with Indigenous communities and their representative organisations to ensure that community wealth is preserved and the benefits distributed equitably to community members as well as maintained for future generations.
Compensation Trusts
A Compensation Trust is usually created under a court order when funds have been paid to a person as compensation for an injury.
Continuing Trusts
Ensure long-term financial security and asset protection with a trust that manages and distributes wealth over time, tailored to your wishes and your beneficiaries' needs.
Corpus
The original gift and ongoing principal that forms the asset base from which a foundation operates.
Custody Services
The safekeeping, administration, and reporting of clients’ financial assets, ensuring secure storage, accurate record-keeping, and efficient transaction processing.
Debt and Securitisation Services
The management and administration of debt instruments and securitised products on behalf of clients, including issuing notes, facilitating settlement, maintaining investor registers, calculating interest and principal repayments, and acting as a liaison between issuers and investors.
Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR)
A Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) is a fund or organisation that can receive tax deductible gifts. The deduction is claimed by the person or organisation that makes the gift. There are a limited number of categories or types of DGRs. There are requirements set by the ATO to be endorsed as a DGR.
Document Custodian (securitisation)
Retains loan documents (such as mortgage packets) on behalf of the sponsor until the loan is discharged.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria refer to the mandatory criteria, which must be met to qualify for a grant.
Estate Management
The administration and oversight of an individual’s assets and liabilities, including the distribution of property, payment of debts, and management of ongoing affairs.
Estate Planning
The process of arranging and structuring a person’s assets and affairs to manage their distribution during their lifetime and after death, in line with their wishes and legal requirements.
Ethical investment
An investment policy that specialises in environmental and socially responsible investment, and is informed by shared commitment to improve the ethics of corporate Australia and promote ecologically sustainable and socially just enterprises through judicious investment.
Executor Appointments
The designation of individuals or entities responsible for carrying out the terms of a will and managing the deceased’s estate.
Facility Agent
Acts as intermediary between borrowers and lenders in a syndicated loan (ie. more than one lender), makes payments and communicates with lenders if there is a default or proposed amendment.
Family Trusts
Family Trust is usually established during your lifetime to protect your family's assets or a business. There may also be tax benefits arising from setting up a Family Trust.
Foundation
Foundation in philanthropic terms is usually used to refer to a trust designed to make grants to charities.
Fund
A pool of capital collected from multiple investors and managed collectively to achieve specific investment objectives. Funds can invest in a range of assets, including equities, debt, or alternative investments, and are structured to provide returns while managing risk.
Fund Managers
Professionals or entities responsible for making investment decisions and managing the day-to-day operations of a fund. They oversee portfolio strategy, asset allocation, and performance, ensuring the fund meets its objectives and complies with regulatory and governance requirements.
Fund Services
Equity Trustees provides a comprehensive, one-stop-shop solution for fund governance, supporting both Australian and international funds. Our services include strategic advice on fund structures and domiciles aligned with long-term objectives, as well as full establishment and ongoing administration through a highly efficient, open-architecture service model.
Funding
Grant funding is non-repayable funds disbursed by one party (grant makers), often a government department, corporation, foundation or trust, to a recipient, often (but not always) a non-profit entity, collective, or an individual.
Generation
A publication created by Equity Trustees that empowers people to better manage their estates and avoid legal complications, showcasing real stories and case studies that highlight the importance of estate planning and the role of a trusted executor.
Giving Review / Giving Highlights
Equity Trustees’ annual publication and social impact report that demonstrates the power of our work in philanthropy. It showcases inspiring stories and measurable outcomes from our granting programs, highlighting how our partnerships create lasting positive change in communities.
Grant Funding
The provision of financial support by organisations or trusts to individuals, groups, or projects, typically aimed at achieving specific social, cultural, educational, or environmental objectives.
Grant Rounds
Scheduled periods during which applications for funding are invited, assessed, and awarded, typically managed by Equity Trustees as part of our philanthropic and charitable trust programs.
Grantee
The individual/organisation selected to receive a grant.
Horizon Centre
A dedicated platform developed by Equity Trustees, providing stories, insights, and guidance on philanthropy, estate planning, and charitable giving.
Impact
The longer-term, deeper change resulting from outcomes.
Impact Investing
Impact Investing refers to investments made based on the practice of assessing not only the financial return on investment, but also the social and environmental impacts of the investment that happen in the course of the operations of the business and the consumption of the product or service that the business creates. An impact investor seeks to enhance social structure or environmental health as well as achieve financial returns.
Inheritance Guides
Resources that provide clear information and guidance on managing, distributing, and planning estates, helping individuals and families understand their rights, responsibilities, and options under the law.
Institutional Funds
Professionally managed investment pools held on behalf of large clients such as superannuation funds, charities, and other institutions. Equity Trustees provides governance, administration, and oversight to ensure these funds operate efficiently, comply with regulatory requirements, and meet long-term investment objectives.
Investment Products
Financial instruments or vehicles offered to clients to help grow, preserve, or manage wealth, including equities, bonds, managed funds, and other structured investments. In the context of Equity Trustees, these products are selected and managed with a focus on governance, compliance, and alignment with client objectives.
Issuer Trustee (securitisation)
Issues notes to investors and may be lender of record.
Issuing, calculation, paying agent and registrar
An entity that manages and administers debt securities on behalf of investors. Responsibilities include arranging for notes to be made eligible in Austraclear, issuing notes and ensuring smooth settlement with lead managers for investor placement, maintaining the investor register, calculating interest on floating rate notes and processing interest and principal repayments, and acting as a liaison between the issuer and investors.
Mandatory Form
The forms that are required for the application. Please note that a mandatory form must be completed before the system will allow the applicant to submit the application package.
Minor's Trusts
A Minor's Trust is set up to manage and protect the assets of a child until they come of age. This may include assets they have inherited.
Non-discretionary Funds
Funds given to support a particular organisation selected by the donor at the time of the gift.
Note/Bond Trustee
Ensures that Issuers meet their obligations to repay principal and interest for investors.
Not-for-profit Investments
Financial contributions or asset allocations made to support charitable or community-focused organisations, often structured to generate ongoing social impact.
Not-for-profit / Non-profit
A not-for-profit organisation is an organisation whose primary objective is something other than the generation of profit, and which does not distribute any profit to the organisation’s members. A not-for-profit organisation may have a ‘profit’ – or surplus – left over after operating costs, but whereas a for-profit business would distribute that profit to its owners, shareholders or members, a not-for-profit must use the surplus to further the purpose of the organisation and its activities.
Partnership
A mutually beneficial relationship between entities that is characterized by cooperation and responsibility toward the achievement of a specified goal.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy is the structured and strategic practice of giving resources, time, or expertise to support social causes, often planned to maximize long-term impact. It typically involves thoughtful planning, compounding contributions, and aligning giving with specific goals or community needs.
Powers of Attorney
Legal authorisations that allow a designated person or entity to act on behalf of another in managing financial, legal, or personal affairs, either temporarily or indefinitely, depending on the type of power granted.
Private Ancillary Fund (PAF)
A Private Ancillary Fund is a legal structure that is often used by families, individuals or companies to establish grant-making foundations. A PAF must only make grants and is not permitted to carry out charitable programs.
Process Agent
If a borrower or issuer is not incorporated in the jurisdiction of the governing transaction documents, a process agent is appointed to receive court process and forwards to the borrower or issuer.
Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)
A formal document providing key information about a financial product, including features, risks, costs, and benefits, to help investors make informed decisions.
Public Ancillary Fund (PuAF)
A Public Ancillary Fund (PuAF) is one of two types of ancillary funds that is entitled to endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). A PuAF collects tax deductible donations from the public, which it distributes to DGRs covered by item 1 of the table in subsection 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
Question
Application questions that require a response, so as to elicit information from the grant applicant.
Recipient
A person or organisation to whom a grant is made.
Regulatory Guide (RG)
Guidance issued by regulators, such as ASIC, that explains how to comply with legal and regulatory requirements when offering or managing financial products and services.
Responsibly Entity
An entity appointed to operate and manage a registered managed investment scheme, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations and acting in the best interests of investors.
Scholarships
Financial awards provided through charitable trusts and administered by Equity Trustees as part of our granting program, supporting recipients’ education, development, or research in line with the purpose of the trust.
Security Trustee
Holds mortgage and/or PPSA security (property, shares, lien over bank accounts etc.) for bond/note holders and enforces if there is a default by the Issuer.
Security Trustee/Agent
Holds mortgage and/ or PPSA security (property, shares, lien over bank accounts etc) for lenders and enforces if there is a default by the borrower.
Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF)
An SMSF is a superannuation trust structure that allows individuals, who are the members of the fund, to take full responsibility for managing their superannuation balances. The members of an SMSF are also, generally, the trustees and are responsible for complying with various tax and superannuation laws. An SMSF must have between one and four members.
Snapshot
A focused publication by Equity Trustees that highlights the impact of our philanthropic and granting programs and estate management and planning in Indigenous and First Nations communities, sharing stories and outcomes that celebrate culture, resilience, and self-determination.
Social Enterprise
An organisation with innovative solutions set out to solving social and environmental problems. Social enterprises can take the form of non-profit, for-profit and hybrid businesses.
Social Impact Bond
A social impact bond (SIB, also known as social benefit bond) is a form of performance-based contract, typically held with a government, which commits to pay for significant improvements in social outcomes.
Social Impact Measurement
A form of measurement that provides benchmarks and mechanisms to assess, monitor and track the social impact of an investment/grant.
Special Disability Trusts
Special Disability Trust is created by parents, guardians or close family members to support the present and future needs of a person with a severe disability.
Standby Servicer (securitisation)
Will step in as servicer should the original servicer be removed from the transaction.
Structured Giving
A planned and strategic approach to philanthropy where donations, investments, or grants are organised over time to maximize impact. It often involves setting clear goals, aligning contributions with specific causes, and leveraging compounding resources for long-term social benefit.
Super Proceeds Trust
Super Proceeds Trust is established using superannuation death benefits. It is created as part of an Estate Plan to manage these funds for minor beneficiaries instead of them receiving death benefits as a lump sum.
Target Audience
The specific community/communities for whom the programming or project activity is provided.
Target Market Determination (TMD)
A document that outlines the class of consumers for whom a financial product is likely to be appropriate, ensuring products are distributed in line with regulatory obligations and client needs.
Trust Manager (securitisation)
Performs day-to-day management of the securitisation trusts and provides customised solutions.
Trust Structure
A Trust is an obligation imposed on a person (trustee) to hold property or assets for the benefit of the trust’s members (beneficiaries). Trusts may be further categorised into various different types (e.g. SMSF trust).
Trustee
A trustee is a person or company, who manages the trust and is the legal owner of the trust assets. Trustees have a duty to carry out the terms of the trust, act in the best interests of all beneficiaries, and avoid conflicts of interest or resolve them if they arise. Above all, a trustee must be impartial and prudent.
Venture Philanthropy
Venture philanthropy is the application of venture capital principles and practices, such as long-term investment and capacity building, to not-for-profit organisations. Venture philanthropy assists non-profit organisations in the plan, launch and management of new programs or social purpose enterprises.
Wills
Legal documents that specify how a person’s assets and responsibilities should be distributed and managed after their death.