TRARALGON NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE SEEKS DGR STATUS
June 15, 2011
Traralgon Neighbourhood House has sought the support of The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester in a bid to gain Deductible Gift Recipiency (DGR) status.
The bid builds on the work of the Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres (ANHLC) which has been campaigning to secure greater eligibility for DGR tax endorsement for the sector.
DGR status would allow Neighborhood Houses to better access much needed funding from philanthropic and corporate sectors. Neighbourhood Houses do not receive DGR under the current definition of charity.
Mr Chester said Neighbourhood Houses offer regional communities a wide range of important services.
“Neighbourhood Houses should never be underestimated in the role they play in community engagement through social, recreational and educational activities,” Mr Chester said.
“The Traralgon Neighbourhood House is a perfect example of how a local community can benefit from learning and training opportunities.
“There is also strong sense of community involvement with many local residents donating their own time to work alongside staff to help others.
“Obtaining DGR status would assist Neighbourhood Houses to continue to offer important services to regional communities.”
In addition to offering local residents a range of courses and activities, the Traralgon Neighbourhood House is also a one-stop-shop for computer and internet access, administration services and meeting venue.
According to the ANHLC ‘fewer than 5% of Victorian Neighbourhood Houses have DGR…primarily because the ATO endorsement process does not allow for the type of services that the sector provides to communities’.
In the May Budget the Federal Government announced that it would establish the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). To commence from July 1, 2012, the ACNC will act as a one-stop-shop for the not-for-profit sector.
Mr Chester said he would be supporting the campaign for Neighbourhood Houses to obtain DGR status through the yet to be established ACNC.
