Overview: Schools

From PhilanthropyWiki

Schools Overview

A school is a place which provides organised instruction or training on a regular and continuing basis, usually in a classroom setting.

Schools in Australia may find it difficult to access philanthropic funding; however, this will depend on the type of foundation, the type of school and the nature of the project.

- Government schools are not entitled to endorsement as Charities, or to endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient - Government special schools may be entitled to endorsement as Charities and are also entitled to endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient - Schools and colleges run by religious denominations may be entitled to endorsement as Charities but not as Deductible Gift Recipients

The main vehicle for accepting tax deductible donations for a Government school is a School Building Fund. A School Building Fund is a public fund which is established and maintained solely for providing money for the acquisition, construction or maintenance of a building which is used as a school or college by the government, a public authority or a non-profit society or association.

Donations to a school building fund may only be used for acquiring, constructing or maintaining school buildings; this may include capital improvements, maintenance, purchase of land on which to construct a school building, painting, installation of fixtures such as carpets, and general maintenance of the building. The funds cannot be used for any other purpose.

For more information on School Building Funds see the ATO's fact sheet on this DGR category.