Philanthropy's Future Project

Recently QCF launched a major project for 2005 - "Philanthropy's Future in the Smart State". I am confident this project will produce data that will help nonprofits chart a clearer and more productive course for future funding priorities and, as a consequence, deliver greater benefits to the community.

The impetus for this project came as a result of the growth in the QCF General Fund, which in the next year or so will be in a position to distribute funds on a regular basis. Our view, supported by many in the non-profit and academic sector, is that more research needs to undertaken to determine the needs of the community to enable the non-profit dollar to be spent in the most effective way.

The Queensland Community Foundation has engaged two of Australia's most experienced and qualified people in this sector - professors Linda Griffiths and Daniel McDiarmid - to manage a series of seminars, surveys, focus groups and other initiatives and develop quality data on future funding needs for nonprofits.

A final Report based on the findings will be published by QCF and made freely available to the wider Australian non-profit community.

At the time of writing, QCF has held two seminars associated with this project, and another seminar and a series of focus groups to be held over the next few months.

The most recent seminar was held at QUT in Brisbane, where Queensland Government representatives delivered five excellent presentations. Deputy Chair of the QCF, former Queensland Governor Peter Arnison, also spoke at the seminar, outlining the role of QCF and highlighting the objectives of the Philanthropy's Future project.

The input from the presentations made at the seminar, and the questions that followed from non-profit attendees, will be of great value to the final outcome of the project.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my personal thanks to the speakers, who were (in order of speaking),
Ken Sedgwick, Assistant Under Secretary, Queensland Treasury;
Dr Gary Ward, Acting Government Statistician and Executive Director, Office of Economics and Statistical Research, Queensland Treasury;
Linda Lavarch MP, Member for Kurwongbah and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Energy and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy;
Kerry Shine MP, Member for Toowoomba and Chair of Caucus and Deputy Speaker of the Queensland Parliament;
Karen Struthers MP, Member for Algester and Parliamentary Secretary to the premier (Multicultural Affairs) and the Minister for Trade.

Photo 1. From left to right: Dr Gary Ward, Kerry Shine MP, Ken Sedgwick, Linda Lavarch MP, Karen Struthers MP, Maj Gen (RTD) Peter Arnison AC.CVO (Deputy Chairman).

If anyone held any doubts about the future social and economic impacts of population growth in Queensland and, in particular, the 'greying' of Australia, they need to look no further than the data released at the QCF Philanthropy's Future seminar referred to above.

Most if not all nonprofits will be concerned about the potential challenges this phenomena will present to their future capacity to provide appropriate levels of services. References to this subject no doubt will be made in the final report on the project, expected late this year. However, it is useful to note the following points outlined by Dr Gary Ward during his presentation:

• By 2026, population in the age groups above 65 years is projected to increase by between 130% and 170% - more than doubling in size but not quite trebling.
• Between 2001 and 2051, one half of the increase in Australia's population is predicted to occur in Queensland (2.9 million out of 5.8 million).
• In the 50 years to 2051, the 85 years and over age group will increase by 800%. This age group will increase from its level of 45,000 recorded in 2001 to 121,000 persons by 2026 and to 400,000 persons by 2051.

Heading towards $250 million in bequests

QCF continues to attract bequests at a substantial level on behalf of its 111 Named Funds.

As at May this year, the value of pledged bequests made through QCF to its Named Funds and General Fund was $224.13 million. All of these funds were pledged in wills made at Public Trustee offices throughout the state.

However, wills are also made in favour of QCF through the normal services of Queensland lawyers and Estate Planners on behalf of their clients, and the amounts involved in this sector are not disclosed at the will-making stage. Consequently, the total amount pledged to QCF Named Funds is not known, but clearly we are getting very close to the $250 million level.

Currently QCF has $11.2 million invested as a result of donations and realised bequests.

Sponsors underwrite additional QCF resources

It's a proud boast of QCF that all operating and administrative costs are provided by its three sponsors - The Public Trustee Office, QIC and Anglo Coal Australia.

This means that no donations or bequests to QCF's Named Funds or General Fund are used to fund the running costs of the Foundation.

For example, due to the growth of Named Funds and the increased workload from this and other areas of its operations, QCF is about to add a part time administrative assistant to its staff. As part of this process, it has been agreed by the sponsors that they will provide all extra costs incurred for this new appointment in its annual Budget.

This level of commitment from our sponsors is most welcome. It's a commitment that goes beyond financial support, as the same sponsors also provide valuable advisory and support assistance in many other areas of QCF activity.

Congratulations on PM's Award

Talking about commitment of corporations to the non-profit sector, a good example of this was highlighted at the Prime Minister's Community Business partnership Awards Dinner, held on April 13 in Brisbane.

The Fred Hollows Foundation in partnership with Woolworths Limited and the Wulgularr Community was the winners in the Large Business category.

This partnership has enabled local Aboriginal people to be trained to manage stores and provide a better service to their own community.

Photo 2. Representatives of Woolworths Limited, the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Wugularr Community.

Until my next newsletter, my best wishes go out to you all

Mike Ahern
Chairman

Last Updated 31 May 2005