Redefining Giving: How Equity Trustees is making philanthropy more accessible for every Australian
A new online philanthropy portal, created by Equity Trustees, will enable individuals to become a philanthropist with as little as $5,000. The portal will help to redefine giving and empower many more Australians to make a difference.
Redefine giving: Start today and change tomorrow
‘Redefining Giving’ is Equity Trustees’ new national campaign that aims to encourage more Australians to consider becoming a philanthropist, dispelling the myth that philanthropy is an exclusive practice. With a focus on social media to get the conversation going, the campaign raises community-wide awareness about the meaning of structured giving and help all Australians to realise that giving is something that anyone can do. Learn more about the campaign by visiting redefininggiving.com.au or Equity Trustee’s social pages via Facebook or Instagram.
Equity Trustees has unveiled an online philanthropy portal – a new gateway to the Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation, one of Australia’s most established public ancillary funds – making it easier than ever for Australians to connect with causes that matter.
Bringing philanthropy into the digital age, the new portal opens the door for individuals and families to begin their giving journey in a sustainable, strategic way.
Starting with as little as $5,000, Australians can now create their own named philanthropic sub-account – perhaps honouring a loved one or celebrating a personal passion. Donations are tax-deductible, the process is simple, and it’s all backed by over 140 years of experience from a specialist trustee. Equity Trustees already manages more than 1,200 charitable trusts and foundations, distributing more than $100 million every year to good causes.
Amanda Sartor, National Manager, Active Philanthropy at Equity Trustees, explains the new online portal was developed to meet the growing appetite for structured, purposeful giving.
“The platform offers a simple, tech-enabled solution for tax-effective, long-term giving,” Amanda says.
“The platform offers a simple, tech-enabled solution for tax-effective, long-term giving,” Amanda says.
Why an online portal matters now
As the world evolves, so too does the way we give. Many Australians – particularly those aged 50 and over – are increasingly choosing to support charitable causes, and digital tools are making it easier to do so in meaningful and lasting ways. The new portal helps users to establish and manage giving structures, such as private ancillary funds or sub-accounts of public ancillary funds with ease and transparency.
“Many people aged over 50 who have paid off their mortgages and accumulated wealth are less financially burdened, and don’t have kids in the house to look after full-time. This frees them up so that they can focus on supporting other things they care about,” Amanda explains. “Philanthropy can become another meaningful way to realise that newfound financial freedom.”
Amanda has noticed more Baby Boomers (aged approximately 60–78) giving to causes that resonate with them personally – from medical research and aged care, to animal welfare, disaster relief and local community projects. “This trend has also been accompanied by an increased focus towards ongoing, intentional ways of giving back, rather than one-off donations,” she says.
For many, formalising their giving brings peace of mind and purpose. “They recognise the importance of formalising giving arrangements, particularly as wills can be contested, and ensure that the family’s giving legacy is in place.”
Redefining what it means to give
While structured philanthropy in the over 50s group is growing, a general awareness of it remains limited across the broader community. Equity Trustees research found that only one in five
Australians understand how structured giving can create ongoing, sustainable impact. Yet once people learn about it, interest soars. “The research revealed that among those individuals able to donate $5,000 or more in a year, 62% are interested in structured giving… A small but increasing number of younger people are also starting to also realise that they can have a structured ongoing giving fund in their own name.”
To build that awareness, Equity Trustees has launched a new campaign – Redefining Giving – encouraging Australians to see that anyone can be a philanthropist.
Equity Trustees’ new online portal also makes that vision tangible. With just a few clicks, people can set up a fund, make a difference and watch their giving grow over time.
“Our goal with the portal is to make philanthropy accessible, affordable, self-directed and digitally enabled,” Amanda says. “We want more Australians to experience the impact and fulfilment of structured giving, at any stage of life.”
“We want more Australians to experience the impact and fulfilment of structured giving, at any stage of life.”