Update on Drawdown of $200 Million Bicentennial Community Fund Set Up Last Year to Match Donations to Institutions of a Public Character

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether an update can be provided on the drawdown of the $200 million Bicentennial Community Fund set up last year to match donations to Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs).

The $200 million Bicentennial Community Fund (BCF) aims to encourage giving in the bicentennial year. It provides dollar-for-dollar matching of donations of up to $400,000 for an Institution of a Public Character (IPC), for the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. IPCs are still raising donations and will only complete their submissions after 1 April 2020. IPCs can use these donations to bring their causes forward. The National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) is the appointed administrator for the Fund.

Based on applications received thus far, about 63% of IPCs have applied, with an estimated 70% utilisation of the Fund. The window of application for BCF matching is still open until 31 March 2020, and we encourage the remaining IPCs to consider applying for the Fund, and givers to continue supporting the causes and IPCs they are passionate about, to help the IPCs make a greater impact.