Opinion

Philanthropy challenges for US and Australia

Structures that work stateside aren't necessarily compatible here, where we face a number of roadblocks.

Stirling LarkinColumnist

Feb 10, 2020 – 10.16am

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Australian philanthropy continues to face structural impediments at the contribution and distribution ends, and recent revelations in the United States on the increasing popularity of US donor-advised funds (DAFs) raise questions for charitable giving across all Pacific Rim ultra high net worth (UHNW) communities.

As discussed in this column in August 2018, US DAFs were established during the nadir of the 1930s Great Depression, in direct response to the severe suffering across the United States.

Stirling Larkin writes on global investing and ultra high net worth wealth. He is chief investment officer of investment manager Australian Standfirst.