Our Story

With deep insight and understanding of local needs and opportunities, we are able to guide our donors in making strategic granting decisions. Through our Vital Signs research and workshops with the not-for-profit sector, we promote discussion on the key issues affecting Canberra.

Hands Across Canberra has an objective progressively building a capital base that will offer char ities an ongoing funding stream to tackle areas of disadvantage in our community. Investment of funds is managed by JB Were who have been appointed as our expert investment managers. The establishment of ‘Named Funds’ is also a means of creating an on going grant base for charities over a long term. The gifts we receive
are held in trust, creating a permanent legacy for our community

Hands Across Canberra is governed by a well-credentialled Board and has established several committees to assist in the accountable governance of its activities.  The three entities (HAC PUAF, HAC Ltd, CMCF) that comprise Hands Across Canberra are independent philanthropic organisations, proudly recognised as registered charities
with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The Trustee of the Hands Across Canberra Trust (Public Ancillary Fund) is governed by the Federal Treasury’s Public Ancillary Fund Guidelines 2011 (as amended 2016) and the financial statements of all three entities are audited annually by an independent auditor.

When donors join Hands Across Canberra they become a valued member of a community of donors. We are committed to working collaboratively with our donors
to bring their philanthropic vision to life and to help them create an enduring impact with their charitable giving.

We offer simple and effective solutions for our donors to support the issues that matter most to them. Hands Across Canberra takes care of the investment, governance, compliance and administration, allowing donors to focus on supporting the causes they are passionate about.

We offer a variety of different ways to give to Canberra/Canberra region causes, depending on your desired level of involvement.  Examples of giving range from a once off donation, regular donations, establishing a Named Fund, to leaving a lasting legacy through your Will, we can help you support the causes you care most about.

As a community foundation, we are committed to providing accessible and low-cost giving options to help donors achieve their charitable goals.

We are in a unique position to collaborate with other charities, foundations, advisers and local communities on innovative approaches which address our city’s
greatest challenges. We regularly link up with other funding bodies to amplify the funds available to charities to undertake their valuable work.

We are part of a growing world wide movement of community foundations. Today there are over 36 independent community foundations in Australia and more than 1,800 place-based community foundations in nearly every continent across the world. Community foundations represent a sustainable and resilient source of ongoing funding.