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Australians have always been a generous people. Our response to both domestic and international disasters has consistently demonstrated this fact, as has the amount of time given gratis by many of our citizens to worthy organisations and causes.

For individuals who have accumulated funds to donate to charitable causes, or are of a mind to do so, the range of options available and the cost, administration and management, and the taxation issues which arise, can be confronting and confusing.

In 2006, Harper Bernays established the Harper Bernays Public Charitable Trust, which is a convenient, flexible, multi-purpose charitable trust with a range of benefits for both you and your charities. The trust was initially set up for existing individually managed account (IMA) clients, but, through word of mouth, has since attracted a range of clientele, some of whom have individually managed accounts with us, and some who do not.

You can establish a Charitable Trust in two ways – as part of your Will or during your lifetime.

Leaving money in your Will enables you to leave bequests and charitable donations to charities of your choice or to set up a Charitable Trust.

Alternatively, you can set up a Trust in your lifetime and play a part in, and observe the difference you make to, the lives of those who are the recipients of your gifts.

Establishing your own or a family fund with the Harper Bernays Public Charitable Trust is simple and cost effective. There are no front end costs and no need to put in place a separate trust deed and structure, with all that this entails, both at the time of establishment and subsequently. Contributions from all sources (except those from a Will) are100% tax deductible and the earnings are tax free, ensuring your chosen charities receive the maximum benefit from your giving. The income generated from the investments can be distributed in accordance with your wishes.

When you establish a Harper Bernays Charitable Trust Fund, you are provided with complete operational and administrative support, to ensure that you can focus on the most important aspect of your fund – your giving strategy. Operational and administrative support includes:

• General trust administration.
• Day to day investment management to optimize distributable funds.
• Secretariat and record keeping.
• Support of donors in the exercise of their grant recommendations.
• Services to ensure all aspects of the giving process are rigorously complied with, including:
  
  • Formulating giving strategies.
  • Seeking out suitable projects for funding including formulating and managing the application process.
  • Preparing brief executive summaries of the applications and making recommendations to donors as to their relative merits.
  • Promotion of your fund, if required.
  • Establishing an audit trail to ensure monies are always spent on programmes, and activities of your choice.

Setting up a Charitable Trust Account

Your Charitable Account is opened by simply filling in an Application Form and forwarding a cheque made out to the Harper Bernays Charitable Trust. Once your account has been opened, you will receive receipts confirming your initial and additional donations. You will also receive quarterly statements detailing donations received and payments made from your fund, as well as details of the Funds Investments and Returns. These reports will be issued on the Custodian's letterhead.