Applying for Funding

The Trust Company acts as Trustee for a number of charitable trusts where we have a level of discretion in allocating the funds.

Engaged Philanthropy Model

Where our level of discretion has been broad, we have historically allocated distributions through an annual online application process (called the “General Funding Round”) open to non profit organisation across all areas of need.

We are transitioning to a more focused approach under the banner of “Engaged Philanthropy” where we work with a smaller group of Strategic Partners to deliver more discernable social impact. We have also prescribed three program areas where we focus our support going forward which are:

    • Socially Inclusive Education – organisations that promote the development of leadership, learning and skills within disadvantaged and marginalised communities (AU and PNG)
    • Positive Ageing – organisations that promote the health & wellbeing of seniors in Australia
    • Living with Disability – organisations that support people with disability to achieve their full potential and to participate fully in society.

From a broader social sector perspective, we are also looking at organisations that support social enterprise, innovation and capacity building.

In 2011 we appointed 17 new multiyear Strategic Partners. For information on this, click here.

In 2012 and beyond, we intend to add a limited number of new Strategic Partners to this inaugural group. Further to an initial meeting with Strategic Partners hosted by the Melbourne Business School in March 2012, consideration of new Strategic Partners will be influenced by the theory of change we begin to articulate in each Program Area.

Organisations looking to be considered for a longer term partnership in one of these Program Areas will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest via our website. Expressions of Interest will be sought from April 2012 through to 30 June 2012. Details of the format of this Expression of Interest will be posted in due course. While the major focus of our new Engaged Philanthropy model is longer term partnerships, we will not rule out shorter term grants to organisations that fit on our theory of change.

To speak to a member of staff about our new approach, or about your organisation and the submission of an Expression of Interest, please contact us on 1800 622 812 or email us at philanthropy@thetrustcompany.com.au.

Funding from other Discretionary Trusts, Scholarships and Awards

Organisations seeking one-off project funding, or for scholarships and awards administered by The Trust Company will be required to apply directly to a charitable trust. Trusts available for one-off funding will be updated in April 2012.

Please click below on the link through to the current list of discretionary trusts that run annual funding rounds:

For Scholarship and Awards, please click here.

November

The Philanthropy & Community Board at The Trust Company has signed-off on the successful 2011 applicants, comprising both one-off grants and multi-year Strategic Partnerships under our new strategy of “Engaged Philanthropy”.  Under this new strategy, The Trust Company is seeding several important multi-year Strategic Partnerships in the Program Areas of:

    • Socially Inclusive Education – organisations that promote the development of leadership, learning and skills within disadvantaged and marginalised communities (AU and PNG)
    • Positive Ageing – organisations that promote the health & wellbeing of seniors in Australia
    • Living with Disability* – organisations that support people with disability to achieve their full potential and to participate fully in society

*The Board recently included this additional Program Area after closer consideration of the range of applications received, our perspective gained from our Health & Personal Injury clients, and the important developments in the disability sector such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.  

From a broader social sector perspective, we are also looking at organisations that support social enterprise, innovation and capacity building.

Over 500 applications were received in 2011 totalling $34m in requests. From our discretionary trusts, including The Trust Company Foundation, we have committed over $3m in distributions for 2011 between:

    • 17 organisations that align with our focus Program Areas above to benefit from a multi-year Strategic Partnership
    • 48 organisations to benefit from a one-off grant for 2011 only

Going forward, we will be migrating to a wholly strategic partnership approach, and will be complementing this initial selection of Strategic Partners with additional members in due course.