At Williams + Hughes we have more than 35 years’ experience advising a range of charities and not-for-profit organisations. Many of our Principals have experience as Board members of charities. We understand the distinct commercial and legislative requirements of this sector and are well placed to deliver advice on practical solutions for charitable and not for profit organisations.
We have experience in advising charities on governance; registering with the Australian Charities & Not for Profits Commission (ACNC); tax concessions, DGR status, compliance and other matters.
The services we provide in this sector include:
Advising Boards on corporate governance and compliance;
Structuring, establishing and transitioning for not-for-profits and charities;
Securing charitable status and tax concessions for charities;
Negotiating settlements on behalf of charities and private clients in relation to disputed estates;
Applying for probate for charities and not-for-profit organisations; and
Establishing school scholarship funds and obtaining Designated and Gift Recipient (DGR) status.
Our work includes:
Acting for two leading Perth private schools in:
establishing Scholarship and Bursary Funds and obtaining DGR status for those funds
advising the Schools and their Foundations on their Constitutions and governance matters
Acting for a school in regional Western Australia in establishing a school Foundation
Completing the re-structure of a leading Western Australian heath related charity from an association to a company limited by guarantee and obtaining DGR status as a public ancillary fund
Assisting charities in re-structuring including changing from an association to a company limited by guarantee
Advising religious orders
Undertaking the Western Australian element of a national restructure of a religious order and its property holdings and obtaining exemption from stamp duty
Advising well known national and local charities on estates and disputes concerning estates and applying for letters of administration with the will annexed on behalf of charities where the executor does not wish to act
Acting pro bono for the Dogs Refuge Home (WA) Inc, one of Perth’s oldest animal charities
On 3 June 2019 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC), Australia's competition and consumer protection regulator, released an ...
We regularly comment upon areas of interest in our key practice areas. If you would like to be sent updates on new insights please enter your email below and we will add you to our insights mailing list.
