The ANHCA Public Fund for DGR can assist the national network of Neighbourhood Houses and Centres to raise funds through public and corporate donations. The listing of the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (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 ANHCA Public Fund are tax deductible. 

It is managed by the Australian Neighbourhood and Centres Association (ANHCA), the national peak body for Neighbourhood Houses and Centres across Australia. 

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 

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

Some Neighbourhood Houses/ Centres have DGR status in their own right, but the majority of them do not. They are very diverse organisations, reflecting the needs of their individual communities, and the variety of services they provide do not fit easily into a DGR category. This makes it difficult for them to raise funds to benefit their communities. The Treasury granted special listing in the tax legislation to the ANHCA Public Fund to enable it to coordinate the national fundraising activities of Neighbourhood Houses/ Centres. It is legally able to direct funds to support the activity and work of Neighbourhood Houses/ Centres throughout Australia. 

The ANHCA Public Fund can provide a tax deductible vehicle for philanthropic organisations and corporate foundations to support the activity and work of Neighbourhood Houses/ Centres throughout Australia. 

There are a number of steps involved for Houses/ Centres to apply: 

• Submit a project application to the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR 

• Applications are considered by DGR Committee to ensure that they align with the purpose of ANHCA. 

• If application meets this purpose, the application is submitted in ANHCA’s name with the Neighbourhood House or Centre listed as the contact for the application. 

• Where application is approved, funds will be paid to the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR 

• ANHCA will transfer donated money (less the 5% administration fee) to the relevant Neighbourhood House/Centre. 

The Neighbourhood House/Centre is responsible for: 

• Managing the project and delivering on agreed outcomes. 

• Meeting all compliance and reporting obligations of the funding body. 

• Providing the Public Fund with a copy of reports and acquittals provided to the funding body. 

If a funding body notices that the Neighbourhood House/Centre is having difficulty meeting the objectives and contracted obligations of the funding agreement, we encourage the funding body to notify us.

The ANHCA Public Fund for DGR does not act as an auspice for Neighbourhood Houses/Centres accessing project funds from philanthropic organisations and corporate foundations. The ANHCAPublic Fund for DGR simply acts a vehicle for the collection of tax deductible donations or funds from philanthropic organisations and corporate foundations that require DGR status. 

Unlike an auspice, ANHCA is not responsible for overseeing the spending of the funds received as a result of the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR. Once it has received the funding from the philanthropic organisation or corporate foundation, ANHCA will transfer the funds to the appropriate Neighbourhood House and Centre. 

Yes, currently 5% of donations goes to the administration of the Public Fund 

As is legally required of all public funds, a Committee, the majority of whom come under the ATO definition of ‘Responsible Persons’, administers the ANHCA Public Fund for DGR. They review and approve the support of all project applications and the release of funds to ensure they will be used for the purposes they were granted for and to benefit of the community.