Philanthropy and Charitable Giving Services

We help you leave a lasting impact on the charities and causes you care about most.

Make a lasting impact through purposeful giving

Whether you’re planning your estate, creating a legacy, or managing charitable distributions, State Trustees offers trusted guidance and professional administration for philanthropic giving in Australia. From establishing charitable trusts to overseeing bequests and grant-making, our team of philanthropy experts ensures your generosity creates meaningful, long-term change. We help you give strategically, compliantly, and with clarity — so your values continue to benefit generations to come.

Our philanthropy services

You can rely on State Trustees’ expertise to:

Set up and administer charitable trusts
Provide bespoke structured giving advice
Manage bequests and foundations
Oversee ongoing grant distribution

Speak with a specialist

Get guidance on the best charitable giving option for you

Why choose State Trustees for Legacy Giving

Our team of specialists can show you options that maximise your charitable giving impact across charitable trusts, gifts, donations and more.

Expertise

Our charitable giving specialists will consult with you on how to maximise your impact for years to come.

Flexibility

We have a range of flexible options to suit your charitable giving objectives.

Accountability

We’re backed by the Victorian Government and accountable to the people of Victoria.

Experience

We’ve professionally managed a variety of charitable trusts for over 80 years.

Charitable Giving in Victoria through a will or trust

You can choose to leave a one-off gift or create a lasting impact by supporting your favourite charity or cause annually in your will or by setting up a trust. Charitable donations such as these allow you to experience the joy of knowing you’re supporting the causes that mean the most to you.

Giving effectively requires careful consideration and expertise to make sure your will is written in a way that achieves your wishes. With over $150 million managed professionally, our charitable giving specialists help secure your legacy for a lifetime of support in the Victorian community.

Speak with a philanthropy specialist today

Make the choice that’s right for you.

Charitable bequest planning – getting started

Our dedicated team can help you make informed choices based on the size of your gift, the charities or causes you want to support and the impact you want to create. Your options include:

One-off gifts in your will:

You can simply name a charity in your will and choose to leave a dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. Your executor will then pay this directly to the charity as a one-off donation when your estate is settled. Find out more about deceased estate planning services.
Legacy gifts in your will.

To make a longer-lasting impact, your gift can be held in a charitable trust that provides ongoing financial support to your chosen charity or cause. It’s possible to do this via an already-established perpetual charitable trust like the State Trustees Australia Foundation, or we can set up a private charitable trust for you.

Charitable Giving in your will

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Use our foundation to leave a gift to your chosen charity

Overview

Founded in 1994 as a perpetual public charitable trust for all Victorians, The State Trustees Australia Foundation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC). You can leave a gift to a charity or cause close to your heart through the State Trustees Australia Foundation. We then work closely with the charitable sector to fund important projects using a portion of your gift each year. The remainder of your gift is invested to fund even more projects in the future.

Strategic Giving through the Foundation

Through the Foundation, you can make structured donations in perpetuity to a general charitable cause or a specific charity close to your heart- the choice is yours.

Alternatively, you can choose to gift to general charitable purposes through the Grant Programs supported by the Foundation.

The Foundation’s current Philanthropic Grants focus on:

Help for vulnerable Victorians.
Medical research and support.
Environment and animal protection.
Support for regional Victorian communities.

If you’d like your gift to have a specific focus of your choice, we can keep it separate from other people’s gifts in a special sub-fund in your name.

Private charitable trusts

In some circumstances, private charitable trusts are an option for giving through your will. Our Charitable Giving specialists can create a private charitable trust named after you, your family or an organisation and distribute money from private charitable trusts according to your wishes. The trust then distributes money according to your wishes.

Discuss your options

Speak with our team about the best option for you.

Philanthropy service fee summary

Establishing a sub-fund of the State Trustees Australia Foundation is free. Any fees to administer the sub-fund are deducted from the investment income of the sub-fund. There is also no fee to leave a one-off charitable gift in your will. The only fee involved is for the preparation of your will if required.

View all State Trustees fees

Ready to give with impact?

Start your philanthropic plan with us today.

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How your gift supports the community

Empowering positive ageing: State Trustees Australia Foundation grants $750k

State Trustees Australia Foundation Supports Youth Initiatives in Regional Victoria

State Trustees Australia Foundation distributes $250k to 13 charities

What is a charitable trust and how does it work?

A charitable trust is a structured way to give to causes you care about. It is managed by a trustee and distributes income to approved charities over time.

How can State Trustees help me with charitable giving in my will?

While giving to charity through your will is an enormously rewarding experience, doing so effectively requires careful consideration and expertise. Our legal and financial teams provide the highest level of will-writing guidance, and our Charitable Giving team’s deep knowledge of the charitable sector helps you make well informed decisions.

Our approach is highly consultative and places you at the centre of the conversation. We work with you to choose the most effective structure to ensure that you leave a wonderful and effective legacy to the future.

What’s the best way to establish a charitable trust in Australia?

You will need to create a trust deed with the help of legal professionals. State Trustees Victoria has over 80 years of expertise in handling such matters, so you can rely on our experts for the best guidance.

Does State Trustees have expertise in Charitable Giving?

Yes. State Trustees has been administering charitable estates since the mid-1800s and has a specialised Charitable Giving Team. From helping people to clarify their charitable objectives and deciding on which charitable causes to support, writing effective wills, managing charitable funds, administering granting programs and distributing funds and engaging with the charitable sector, our lawyers, will writers and other specialists help people give effectively through their wills.

Today, State Trustees manages over $150 million in charitable trusts and distributes about $5million each year to the community and charitable sector.

How do I give to charity through my will in Victoria?

To make a charitable donation through your will, ensure you include details such as the name of the charity, its ABN, and the amount you’d like to leave them. State Trustees can provide you with further assistance during your will appointment.

What are the differences between giving in a single lump sum and giving in perpetuity?

There are key differences between giving to charity in a single lump sum and giving in perpetuity.

Leaving a gift of money or assets in a single lump sum to your favourite charity means the charity will receive that gift in full once your estate has been finalised.

Providing a gift to your favourite charity in perpetuity through a charitable trust favours maximising the value of your gift and pledging long term financial support through an annual income stream.

What is the State Trustees Australia Foundation?

The State Trustees Australia Foundation is a public charitable trust you can gift to in your will. The Foundation provides the opportunity to give in perpetuity without needing to establish your own charitable trust. Created in 1994, right now it has over 200 ‘sub-funds’ or ‘gifts’ left by people just like you who want to make a lasting difference in the community we all share.

Can someone manage my Charitable Giving for me?

Yes, State Trustees can manage and oversee charitable giving on your behalf. Contact our team on 1300 138 672 to learn more.

Do I get tax benefits from Charitable Giving?

Donations to DGR-registered charities may be tax-deductible. Structured giving can help optimise tax outcomes while supporting long-term impact.

Who should consider a philanthropic giving plan?

Anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact—whether during their lifetime or after—can benefit from a personalised giving strategy.

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