Gift Accounts vs Private Trusts
Many individuals and families consider setting up private trusts or family foundations to manage their philanthropy. While these structures can work, they often involve complex legal requirements, high administrative costs, and ongoing compliance obligations. They may also be rigid when it comes to collaborative or multi-generational giving.
Gift Accounts provide a simpler, more efficient alternative. They allow you to maintain control over your giving, while removing the legal, accounting, and operational burden. With a Gift Account, you can focus on your charitable goals rather than paperwork, ensuring your philanthropic vision is realised efficiently and effectively.
Why Not a Private Trust?
Gift Accounts combine flexibility, compliance, and tax efficiency.
Fast and Simple Setup
Start your Gift Account with a low minimum contribution, without needing to draft complex trust deeds or register a new entity.
Immediate Tax Benefits
Contributions to your Gift Account are eligible for New Zealand donation tax credits from day one.
Fully Managed Service
The Gift Trust handles due diligence, grant administration, reporting, and financial compliance, allowing you to focus on strategy.
Collaborative Giving Made Easy
Multiple generations or collaborators can participate in your giving without creating legal or operational complications.
We can even take over existing trusts or foundations by transferring their assets to a cost-effective Gift Account, ensuring continuity and compliance while simplifying administration.
Case Study: Winding Down Orientation Aotearoa
Orientation Aotearoa was a charitable trust seeking to wind down but with remaining funds to distribute. Their trustees transferred these assets to The Gift Trust, which distributed them according to the trustees’ wishes.
“It was such an ‘organic’ ending to Orientation Aotearoa and it prevented us ‘derailing’ over money questions, as to what should happen with this remaining financial resource. It was most helpful.”
– Doris, Trustee of Orientation Aotearoa
Grow Your Impact Without the Burden of a Trust
A Gift Account lets you concentrate on charitable impact, not administration. You can control how, when, and where your funds are granted, access expert philanthropic advice, and benefit from full transparency and reporting. For those considering a private trust or family foundation, a Gift Account offers a simpler, more cost-effective, and flexible alternative.
