The ANHCA Public Fund for DGR is a vehicle Neighbourhood Houses/Centres can use to accept tax deductible donations or apply for grants from philanthropic foundations/trusts and corporations requiring DGR (deductible gift recipient) tax status. 

It is overseen by the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA) Inc. The listing of ANHCA Inc. for DGR Item 1 status in Division 30, section 30 -45 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, ensures donations of $2 or more to the ANHC Public Fund are tax deductible. 

An organisation that has deductible gift recipient (DGR) status can receive tax deductible gifts. An individual or business that makes a donation to an organisation with DGR status can deduct the amount of the donation from their taxable income, which means they pay less tax. 

No, the DGR status remains with ANHCA, which is why funding applications are lodged in ANHCA’s name and all donations and grants money must be paid through ANHCA to be issued with a tax receipt. 

An administrative charge of 5% is deducted from donations and grants. This charge contributes to the costs associated with administrating the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR. 

Neighbourhood Houses/ Centres can now use the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR to receive tax deductible donations  and apply for funds from philanthropic organisations and corporate foundations requiring DGR status. 

To be eligible, your Neighbourhood House/ Centre must meet the following criteria: 

• Be an organisation (as opposed to an individual) 

• Be a financial member of the relevant State Peak Body 

• Be a legal entity (ie an incorporated body) 

• If the organisation is a network or peak body rather than a Neighbourhood House or Centre in its own right, it must apply funds to furthering or supporting the work of Neighbourhood Houses/Centres 

• Not have DGR status 

Yes, the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR can legally only direct funds to other entities in furtherance of the purposes in ANHCA’s constitution. These are to: 

• Contribute to national policy and issues of common interest to the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia 

• Promote and strengthen the national identity of the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia 

• Enhance the quality, skills and knowledge of the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia 

• Support the activity and work of the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector in Australia. 

ANHCA can accept funds and direct them for the work carried out by Neighbourhood Houses/ Centres, including project-based support and general support. 

No. Salary packaging is only available for employees directly employed by a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI). The ANHCA Public Fund for DGR is not a PBI and even if it were, it could not pass on additional tax incentives to other organisations. 

The fund is governed by the ANHCA Public Fund Committee, made up of representatives from the Neighbourhood House and Centre sector, the majority of whom come under the ATO definition of ‘Responsible Persons.’ 

Ideally, all Neighbourhood Houses/Centres should have DGR status in their own right. Some do – about 14% Australia-wide – but the majority who have applied for DGR status have been turned down from endorsement because the variety of services they provide do not fit into an existing DGR category. ANHCA has lobbied hard for many years to change the tax laws to include a general DGR category for Neighbourhood Houses/Centres. (See our Advocacy page)