Face-to-face conversations with loved ones overseas, live streaming of a music festival, and up-to-the-minute statistics of a Champions League game are just some of the benefits of the digital age.

But the free flow of information from around the world can also have a knock-on effect on financial markets, dragging down the performance of the local share market, even though volatility is a normal part of investing. 

Yet history shows the benefits of establishing a long-term perpetual charitable fund, which invests in the markets.

The Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation has been in place for more than two decades. One of the earliest sub-funds was set up in 1998 with a $1 million contribution (no further donations were made).
 
The fund has grown to more than $2.6 million today despite weathering the ups and downs of the market, including the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09 and the global pandemic.
 
During that time, it has distributed $1.64 million to the founder’s preferred charities, well in excess of the original $1 million they could have donated directly in 1998.
 
While an immediate $1 million distribution would have made a significant one-off impact, by playing the long game, our client has ensured their ongoing giving into the future.

The importance of this sustainable revenue stream is now set to help the community sector for generations to come.