Why should you donate through the ACF?
By supporting an ACF project, you’ll make a direct impact on the Australian cultural community. You’ll connect with and support an artist whose work you believe in and inspire others to do the same. You’ll make culture happen.
You won’t receive a gift per se, but you will experience the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing you’re supporting Australian artists.
We’re not an all-or-nothing funding platform; ACF donors don’t ‘pledge’ for rewards. There are two reasons for this. Firstly it means the artist can focus the funds they receive on bringing their project to life, regardless of whether they reach their fundraising goal. Secondly it protects our charitable DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, which means donors can claim a tax deduction on any donation over $2 made through the ACF.
What is DGR and how does it work?
A DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) is an entity that can receive tax-deductible gifts. The Australian Cultural Fund has DGR status.
This means that you, the donor, can make a donation to the ACF, preferencing the artist you wish your donation to support, and claim the amount as a tax deduction for donations of $2 or more.
While we encourage everyone to be an ACF donor, it’s important to note that under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, a deduction is not allowed if any material benefit is obtained by the donor or their associate as a result of the donation.
For this reason, donors cannot claim a tax deduction for donations made in preference to their relatives because relatives are regarded as associates. Under the ACF, the associate (the artist) receives a material benefit in the form of grant money. ‘Relatives’ means a spouse, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal descendant or adopted child of you or your spouse.
More information on DGR and how the ACF works is in our FAQs.