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Perpetual's IMPACT philanthropy application program (IPAP)
Thanks to the generosity of our clients, Perpetual distributes around $120 million annually from the charitable trusts and endowments we manage. Many of these trusts and endowments are created with specific directions around the charities that will benefit.
However, where trusts and endowments have a more flexible approach to grant making, we undertake a rigorous application program that matches our clients’ wishes with suitable organisations.
Our IMPACT Philanthropy Application Program allows philanthropists and Not-for-Profits (NFPs) to connect, and allows NFPs to demonstrate how they improve outcomes for the communities in which they operate.
Applying for funding
Not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding from Perpetual’s IMPACT Philanthropy Application Program annually between October and December.
Here we provide information on how the process works, the key areas we assess on, and must-read information to help not-for-profit organisations put forward their best possible application.
Want more information?
Watch the video to find out more about the Four Pillars and the assessable questions.
We sometimes run IPAP information sessions with NFPs in person. You can register to receive IPAP updates.
Perpetual Impact Philanthropy Application Program webinar
Annual IPAP timeline
| October - December | Applications open |
| December - March | Eligibility and assessment |
| March | Ineligible and low scoring applicants notified |
| April - mid June | Matching of applications to philanthropic trusts and endowments |
| End June | Organisations notified and funding distributed |
Compliance
Donors need to know that organisations are complying with all the requirements of a charity and are not at risk of losing Deductible Gift Recipient/Charity status or going into administration. Perpetual checks the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission compliance decision list for non-compliance. Organisations on this list will have their applications marked as ineligible as part of our assessment process.
Perpetual has a responsibility to our clients to ensure they are investing in organisations that will meet the acquittal and reporting requirements of the grant and checks that all prior grants administered by Perpetual have been acquitted and reported against.
Ultimately, Perpetual is working on behalf of its philanthropy clients to find great organisations that have a clear mission and goals and a realistic and reportable strategy to achieve them. We are looking for well-governed, well-led organisations that are committed to regularly monitoring their work, tracking progress and learning from both successes and challenges to create the impact they are dedicated to. Organisations that can demonstrate commitment to these areas are those that Perpetual will recommend for philanthropic investment.
The four key pillars we assess on
Perpetual focuses on four pillars when assessing applications for funding, identifying organisations that can maximise their impact through good governance, solid leadership, strong strategy and an outcomes focus. The assessable questions within the application form are focused on these pillars.
- Strategy – When we talk about strategy, we’re looking for organisations that can speak to their mission, understand how effective they are and how they're performing against their mission.
- Leadership – When assessing leadership, we’re looking for organisations that have an awareness of their external environment and have a willingness to learn and collaborate with other organisations pursuing similar goals.
- Capability – When capability is assessed, we’re looking for organisations that understand what a sustainable business model looks like to them and how this is measured.
- Outcomes – When we ask about outcomes, we’re looking for organisations that can demonstrate evidence of success that’s measurable, realistic and can provide our clients with a clear picture of the long-term impact of funding.
The key questions - and how to answer them
We want to help well-run, effective organisations access funding and better serve their communities. Below are some of the key assessable questions in the application process, including which pillar they fall under, where you might find the information to answer those questions and how to fill in the application to best demonstrate your organisation’s strengths.
Application questions: 1.8 and 1.9
Pillar alignment: Capability
Why we ask this: Philanthropists, like all donors, want to know that your organisation is making good use of its resources and tracking and reporting on efficient resource utilisation to ensure maximum impact.
What we’re expecting in the response: That you have specific targets set to ensure efficient use of all resources, including financial, human, time, technology and operations and that you are monitoring and reporting on how the organisation is tracking towards achieving these targets.
Where you might find the relevant information: Your financial reports, HR reports, volunteer updates.
Who to ask: CEO, CFO, Volunteer Director/Manager.
Application questions: 1.10 and 1.11
Pillar alignment: Strategy
Why we ask this: Organisations that achieve impact closely monitor their programs and projects, adjust and update them and are continuously learning and improving. The only way to know an organisation is engaged in this process is if they set effectiveness targets and regularly report on them.
What we’re expecting in the response: That your organisation’s strategy is clearly aligned with its mission and that progress toward strategy is being regularly measured and reported on. This question is essentially asking ‘How do you know if your projects are leading to the outcomes you expect, and are these outcomes strategically progressing your mission?’
Where you might find the relevant information: Strategy documents, program logic and Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks. Tracking and monitoring data should be reported on in internal program and organisational reports.
Who to ask: CEO or Programs Director/Manager.
Application question: 1.12
Pillar alignment: Leadership
Why we ask this: A strong and stable organisation understands the external environment in which it operates and recognises opportunities and external threats.
What we’re expecting in the response: That your organisation understands the factors outside the organisation that can affect its ability to achieve outcomes and pursue mission. Demonstrate a broad ranging understanding of external threats, outside just the funding context. Use a PESTLE analysis as a guide – external factors normally fit into one of the following categories: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal or Environmental.
Where you might find the relevant information: Program logic (assumptions), Board reports, publicly available data collected by other agencies.
Who to ask: CEO, CFO, Programs Director, HR Director.
Application question: 1.13
Pillar alignment: Capability
Why we ask this: Philanthropists want to invest in organisations that are governed for stability and sustainability. They want to invest in organisations that will be around in the future to continue to create impact and pursue mission.
What we’re expecting in the response: That your organisation has a good understanding of the wide range of risks relevant to it and its work and is actively working to mitigate and manage these risks.
Where you might find the relevant information: Board reports, risk registers.
Who to ask: CEO, CFO, COO, Board of Directors.
Application question: 2.8
Pillar alignment: Outcomes
Why we ask this: In order to assess the value of the work an organisation is doing, philanthropists and donors need to understand the outcomes (or impact) that the work is having. Activity or service delivery information is only useful if used to narrate the path to the outcomes and impact an organisation is pursuing.
What we’re expecting in the response: That an organisation not only understands the ultimate outcomes and impact of the work it is doing, but that it is measuring progress toward these goals and is engaged in continuous learning and improvement. Without this monitoring, evaluation and learning cycle, it’s difficult to assess the effectiveness of a project, program, intervention or service.
Where you might find the relevant information: Program logic / theory of change, Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks.
Who to ask: CEO, Programs Director.
If your organisation is successful in receiving funding, the following conditions will apply.
- The funds received may be only used for the purposes outlined by your organisation in your grant application. If the nominated activity does not proceed, it is your organisations responsibility to let us know as soon as possible so that we can agree on an appropriate course of action, which may include any unspent grant funds being repaid to the Trust that provided the funding. If you wish to make any changes to the timeframe, project focus or expenditure of your grant, please complete and submit a Change Request form, available under My Submissions in your Perpetual SmartyGrants profile. Note that changes are limited in scope as defined by the funding trust. Any changes considered by Perpetual will be required to meet these terms. All changes must be approved by the appointed Trustees before proceeding.
- The charitable tax concession and deductible gift recipient status of your organisation are correct during the period of 29 October 2024 to 30 June 2025 on the ABN Lookup website.
- During the funding period your organisation remains registered with the ACNC and does not have any enforcement actions taken out against it by the ACNC and is not more than 12 months overdue in its reporting obligations to the ACNC.
- In the event a receiver, liquidator, administrator, trustee or similar official is appointed over your organisation, or an application is made or resolution is proposed for the winding up of your organisation, any unspent grant funds that cannot be utilised for the nominated activity must be repaid to the Trust that provided the funding.
- We request that this grant is used only for the purpose(s) outlined in your funding notification. We ask that the grant is not applied towards electoral expenditure or used in relation to the creation of communication of electoral matter.
- Your organisation is required to submit an Acquittal Report to us by 31 January annually until your grant obligations are completed and funding has been fully utilised. Funding is generally provided for a one-year period with your first acquittal report due 6 months post funding and your final report due 12 months later. For example funding received in June 2025 would require an initial acquittal by 31 January 2026 and a final acquittal by 31 Jan 2027. Failure to provide acquittal reports by these deadlines will be taken into account when considering future funding applications from your organisation.
- Acquittal forms are accessible through “My Submissions’ in your SmartyGrants profile. If you are not the person in charge of completing acquittal reports, please let the most appropriate team member know where the forms are located.
If your organisation is unable to meet any of these conditions, please notify Perpetual as soon as possible. Please call us on 1800 501 227 during business hours or email philanthropy@perpetual.com.au
Recognition of donors
If your NFP organisation wishes to name the trusts or endowments that have provided funding for your activity via your website, newsletters or in the media, please email philanthropy@perpetual.com.au to request approval.
Sector insights
Philanthropy insights report: A decade of philanthropy
This latest Perpetual philanthropy insights report shares a decade’s worth of data from the Perpetual IMPACT Philanthropy Application Program, offering unique insights into both the philanthropic and charity sectors, and valuable information and analysis to support strategic planning and decision making.
White paper: A new approach for Australian NFP fundraising
This white paper helps NFP boards and executives to improve their fundraising capability with information, advice, tools and case studies.
We can help with much more than funding
We’re also committed to supporting sector leaders and helping non-profit organisations manage their endowment investments.
More information
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Perpetual’s Philanthropic Services are provided by Perpetual Trustee Company Limited (PTCo), ABN 42 000 001 007, AFSL 236643. This webpage has been prepared by PTCo and may contain information contributed by third parties. It contains general information only and is not intended to provide you with advice or take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information is believed to be accurate at the time of compilation and is provided by PTCo in good faith. You should consider whether the information is suitable for your circumstances and we recommend that you seek professional advice. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. PTCo does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any wording in this document which was contributed by a third party. View the Perpetual Private Trustee Service Financial Services Guide.