Applying for Funding
Criteria
The guiding principle of any provision of funds will be that the proposed project is in accordance with the vision and Mission of the Mary MacKillop Foundation Limited: to provide relief with respect to poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, destitution and helplessness. This in turn is in accordance with the spirit, traditions and practices of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
The Foundation is challenged to respond to people who are without real choices, and/or are excluded or destitute in some way. The applications that are funded highlight contemporary expressions of such destitution and need.
In the case of the General Projects the extent to which the specific project is able to relieve distress must be clear. In the Australian Taxation Office directives which affect the activities of a public benevolent institution education and training projects normally do not fit the requirements:
-
The condition or misfortune that is relieved by a public benevolent institution will be such as to arouse pity or compassion in the community. Needs might be caused by poverty or lack of financial resources. Disability or sickness can also give rise to misfortune or helplessness. On the other hand, needs that are to be met by education, training or the promotion of cultural or social objectives will not normally arouse community compassion and call forth the giving of benevolent relief. However, they might do so where the needs arise from poverty or helplessness (TR 2003/5 Taxation Ruling: 10)
In the case of the Aboriginal Partnerships Projects the underlying principle of the Foundation is that the project should respect Aboriginal self determination, and that this is the reason for the endorsement of the specific Aboriginal Community. The following Australian Taxation Office ruling show that benevolent relief applies to that in situations of both material and non-material distress:
-
The type of misfortune or distress need not be susceptible to relief by way of material things. Examples include the treatments for many illnesses and disabilities. Also, the effects of poverty might be addressed in terms of social and cultural conditions. (No.35)
-
We consider that promoting social and cultural objectives will only be benevolent in the required sense where the needs flow from poverty or helplessness…
-
Helping those who cannot help themselves to retain and observe their customary values, traditions and culture, western or not, is benevolent, at least in the sense that it is for their social and spiritual welfare and the welfare of society as a whole.’ (no.37: TR 2003/5 Taxation Ruling)
