Make a Donation
Create a Donor Advised Fund
A donor advised fund is a simple and meaningful way to give back to our community. You choose what matters most to you, and we look after the administration, reporting and compliance.
Your fund grows over time and continues to make an impact, year after year. You can start small, add to it when you’re ready, and even invite family, friends or groups to contribute.
Choose the causes or community projects you care about – from youth, arts and environment, to local health and wellbeing.
Your fund grows over time, with grants distributed to support our community now and into the future.
Leave a gift in your will
Learn more about how you can leave a bequest or get in touch with us to discuss.
FAQs
Find answers to common questions about donating, creating funds, and making bequests.
Why should I give?
In a nutshell, when we give to a cause that we are passionate about, it makes us feel good. Giving will not only have a positive impact in your community, but it has emotional wellbeing effects, it strengthens our personal values, teaches our children the importance of generosity and encourages others to do the same.
Remember though, there are many ways to give: whether it is in the form of cash donations, volunteering time, donating business goods, or sitting on a committee or being a local leader or organiser of a fundraising event, all forms of giving are good for the heart and soul.
Together we thrive.
How can I give?
You can donate to an existing initiative, e.g. Financial Hardship Fund or Seniors Fund.
You can create your own ‘Donor Advised Fund to develop a longer term, more strategic impact.
Or another way to give back to your community is by leaving a gift in your will specifying how it is to be used, e.g. for a cause or purpose that you care about.
What is a Donor Advised Fund?
A donor advised fund is a way to give back to your community in a more structured and ongoing way.
You can set up your own Donor Advised Fund within the Community Foundation, specifying how you want your donation to be used over time. You can recommend that the funds support a cause you care about, a local not for profit organisation, or that it be used to respond to a community need as it arise.
What is a bequest?
A bequest is a gift you choose to leave in your Will to support your community in the future. It can be a specific amount of money, a percentage of your estate, or something meaningful to you. Many people choose to leave a bequest to ensure the places and people they care about continue to be supported long after they’re gone.
What is a durable gift? And a flow through gift?
When you make a donation to the MN&D Community Foundation you can decide whether it is a durable gift or a ‘flow through’ gift. A good example of a flow through gift is a gift to a fundraising campaign with a goal that will be achieved, e.g. Mirboo North Swimming Pool Fund raised over $1 million and is now closed.
A durable gift is one that will last long into the future because only the investment earnings are used in support of the impact area; the gift itself remains invested. The power of a durable fund is that it continues to provide income to support a community or particular purpose forever – it is like a community superannuation fund.
What is Collective Giving?
Collective giving is when a group of people come together to pool their donations and decide, together, how those funds get used. By combining contributions, even small amounts can make bigger impact in the community. This is a great option for those who want to make an impact but don’t have the financial capacity to do so alone. Contact us to learn more here.
Make a donation
What the Community has to say about us
"The ESF really helped me to settle into and prepare for uni. It was really helpful to have a bit more reassurance when moving interstate. It was really useful for the simple things I needed when first starting my course, such as books and practical materials such as my dissecting kit."
"Such a wonderfully warm, inviting and professional space to host meetings. I appreciate this space being available to us as a non profit organisation as well as personally for meetings and workshops."