Myles McGregor-Lowndes
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QUT launches nonprofit model law project

Myles McGregor Lowndes OAM reveals details of his five-year project to create model laws that could be adopted to regulate Australia’s nonprofit sector. Myles McGregor Lowndes OAM reveals details of his five-year project to create model laws that could be adopted to regulate Australia’s nonprofit sector. The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) is undertaking a nonprofit model law project, developing proposals for streamlined and seamless regulation of nonprofit organisations. The five-year project commenced in April 2011, when ACPNS convened a fundraising regulation conference over two days, with a view to identifying the challenges and opportunities for reform. It involved over 80 international keynote speakers, academics, fundraising practitioners,…

Posted inNews, Philanthropy

A golden age of philanthropy?

Myles McGregor-Lowndes argues that there’s good reason to be optimistic about giving in Australia. Myles McGregor-Lowndes argues that there’s good reason to be optimistic about giving in Australia. Usually, I am tagged as a pessimist, but I am optimistic about continued growth of giving in Australia for the near future. I am reminded of the famous experiment where a pessimistic child is put in a room full of toys and observed to cry, out of anxiety about breaking something. An optimistic child is put in a room full of horse manure with a spade and madly tries to find the pony. Fundraisers are usually optimistic and trying to find ponies.…

Posted inPhilanthropy

Giving on the up

An analysis of the Australian Tax Office’s most recent data shows a steep rise in giving in Australia. Myles McGregor-Lowndes drills down to reveal some facts about who gives and how much. An analysis of the Australian Tax Office’s most recent data shows a steep rise in giving in Australia. Myles McGregor-Lowndes drills down to reveal some facts about who gives and how much. According to the latest information available from the Australian Tax Office (ATO), there was an astounding increase in giving in Australia in the 2006-07 financial year. The 2006-07 figures are the most recent available, and analysis just completed by the Australian Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit…

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The will to bequeath undermined by law

The generational transfer of wealth by baby-boomers over the coming decades presents a scenario for increasing conflict between families and charities over bequests. Myles McGregor-Lowndes explains the issues and some strategies to defend contested bequests. The generational transfer of wealth by baby-boomers over the coming decades presents a scenario for increasing conflict between families and charities over bequests. Myles McGregor-Lowndes explains the issues and some strategies to defend contested bequests. Australia’s population is ageing fast: it’s predicted that in a mere 40 years one in four Australians will be over 65. That’s double the current ratio. In light of this, many charities are astutely investing in bequest programs as a…

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Fewer givers but more given

New research reveals that giving in Australia continues to gather momentum, but there are some surprises. Myles McGregor-Lowndes reports. New research reveals that giving in Australia continues to gather momentum, but there are some surprises. Myles McGregor-Lowndes reports. New data released by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) shows that nonprofit organisations are benefiting from growing levels of giving, and in fact over the last five years giving has increased by an average of 11.6% per annum. The new data has been analysed by the Australian Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies at QUT, and covers tax deductible donations claimed by individual tax payers in their tax returns. Figures for the…

Posted inMajor Gifts, Philanthropy

Are you getting your share of PPF distributions?

The story of prescribed private funds just keeps getting better. The latest figures from the Australian Tax Office shows there’s more of them and they’re giving away increasing amounts of money. Myles McGregor-Lowndes lays out the figures, including which types of nonprofits are attracting the strongest support from PPFs. The story of prescribed private funds just keeps getting better. The latest figures from the Australian Tax Office shows there’s more of them and they’re giving away increasing amounts of money. Myles McGregor-Lowndes lays out the figures, including which types of nonprofits are attracting the strongest support from PPFs. The growth of prescribed private funds (PPFs) continues unabated on all fronts.…

Posted inPhilanthropy

Lessons learned in hell

In the great wash of post-Tsunami analysis, Myles McGregor-Lowndes says two things are clear; the trauma grew the philanthropy pie, and the nonprofit sector’s reputation was enhanced through greater transparency and accountability. In the great wash of post-Tsunami analysis, Myles McGregor-Lowndes says two things are clear; the trauma grew the philanthropy pie, and the nonprofit sector’s reputation was enhanced through greater transparency and accountability. On 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.15 on the Richter Scale triggered giant waves which claimed over 230,000 lives; 2 million people were displaced; 370,000 homes were destroyed or damaged; some 5,000 miles of coastline was devastated; and 2,000 miles of roads were laid waste…

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Schools new winners

Myles McGregor-Lowndes reviews some of the latest legislation changes and explains that schools will welcome the new status of scholarships. Myles McGregor-Lowndes reviews some of the latest legislation changes and explains that schools will welcome the new status of scholarships. From July this year five new categories of funds were given gift deductibility status, these include: Charitable funds for the purpose of providing scholarships, bursaries or prizes to promote education at all levels Funds established for the reconstruction and repair of eligible war memorials. Approved funds may be endorsed as deductible gift recipients (DGR) for a maximum period of two years Public funds used to relieve or prevent distress caused…

Posted inNews, Philanthropy

Giving gathers strength

Preliminary research by Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes at the Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies reveals that giving is on the rise, males give more than females, and more people are giving than ever before. Preliminary research by Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes at the Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies reveals that giving is on the rise, males give more than females, and more people are giving than ever before. According to the latest statistics released by the Australian Tax Office (ATO), Australians gave $867.7 million in tax deductible gifts in the year to June 30, 2002. This represents an increase of 3.5% on the previous year, however, the increase was 16.2%…