Media Release

Forum on World's Fastest Growing Philanthropy Movement

01 March 2004

FORUM ON WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING PHILANTHROPY MOVEMENT STARTS THIS WEEK

The 5th Annual Australian Community Foundations Forum will be held this week on Wednesday March 3 and Thursday March 4 atBendigo's historic Greystanes Manor. The Forum's aim is to accelerate Australia's participation in the world's fastest growing form of organised philanthropy - Community Foundations.

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, chaired by Ian Sinclair AC, in partnership with Philanthropy Australia are hosting the two day workshop style forum focussing on philanthropic development in rural and regional areas.

Community Foundations are independent voluntary groups who build a future for their communities by establishing a means by which people and business can give back to their local communities. More than 80 delegates will attend the two day Forum with representatives from Bowral, the Bega Valley, Central Queensland, Ballarat, South Australia joining forces to share their experiences.

Today there are more than 600 Community Foundations in the U.S. (where the concept was founded) and Canada, and over 30 in the U.K. Australia joined the trend in 1983 and currently has 20 foundations with Australian Tax Office endorsement for tax deductibility, with another 15 in various stages of formation.

A distinguishing aspect of Community Foundations is that they are being formed predominately in regional and rural Australia. Apart from the positive practical effects of their work, it is becoming clear that these foundations bind communities together, creating strong social networks in places where previously they had declined or been absent. In addition, the Community Foundation model returns power to local communities by offering a level of independence distinct from the traditional centralised system of grantmaking.

The Keynote Address will be delivered on Wednesday March 3 at 1:15pm by U.S. Community Foundations expert Dorothy Reynolds who will speak on "Sustainability: Securing the Future". Ms Reynolds has more than 15 years experience in community-based philanthropy in the U.S.

Australian Community Foundations Forum
Dates: March 3 and 4, 2004
Venue: Greystanes Manor, 57 Queen Street, Bendigo, Vic 3550
www.frrr.org.au
www.philanthropy.org.au

Fran Lanigan tel: (03) 9690 7557 mob: 0412-174-033 email: laniganf@ozemail.com.au