Legacy as the end of Financial Year approaches
By Zoe Waters, Executive Director Barwon Health Foundation
As the end of the financial year approaches, there’s a familiar rhythm that sets in across households and businesses alike. Receipts are gathered, spreadsheets revisited, and conversations with accountants begin. It is, quite naturally, a time of reflection and planning.
But beyond the numbers, there is something more powerful at play.
In Australia, the weeks leading up to 30 June have become synonymous with giving. It is often described as “tax-time generosity”, a moment when people are reminded, they can make a difference while also receiving a financial benefit. And while tax deductibility is an important incentive, it is rarely the reason people give.
People give because they care.
What is striking each year is not the transactional nature of this period, but the deeply human one. We see individuals and families choosing to support causes that have touched their lives, a hospital that cared for a loved one, a research program that offers hope, or a service that provides comfort in life’s most vulnerable moments. These decisions are shaped by experience, gratitude and a desire to give back.
Importantly, giving is not limited to writing a cheque.
One of the most powerful forms of philanthropy is non-monetary giving. This can take many forms: donating shares or property, contributing goods or services. Known as in-specie giving, it allows people to leverage what they already have to create meaningful impact.
For some, this may mean transferring appreciated assets such as shares, where the gift can be structured in a way that is both tax-effective and transformational for the organisation receiving it.
These forms of giving are not only practical, they are deeply personal. They reflect a willingness to contribute in a way that aligns with an individual’s circumstances, skills and values.
For those of us working in philanthropy, this time of year is both energising and humbling. It is a reminder that behind every act of giving - monetary or otherwise - is a story. A story of compassion. A story of connection. A story of someone choosing to turn intention into action.
The end of the financial year also presents an opportunity to think differently about giving.
Rather than viewing philanthropy as a once-off decision driven by a deadline, more Australians are embracing structured, ongoing giving. Monthly contributions, multi-year pledges, workplace giving and collective giving models are all growing, and for good reason. They allow individuals to plan their impact; support causes sustainably and be part of something larger than themselves.
In regional communities like Geelong, this is where philanthropy becomes truly powerful.
Here, giving is not abstract. It is local. It is visible. It is personal. When someone contributes to Barwon Health, whether through a donation, a gifted asset, or their time and expertise, they are investing in care that may one day support their neighbour, their colleague, their family, or themselves. It creates a profound sense of shared responsibility and collective impact.
As we approach 30 June, it is worth asking a simple question: what difference do I want to make - and how can I make it?
Because while the tax benefit may be immediate, the impact of giving extends far beyond a single financial year. It can help fund life-saving equipment, support groundbreaking research, enhance care environments, and ensure that services continue to meet the growing needs of our community.
Philanthropy, at its best, is not about the end of the financial year.
It is about the beginning of something enduring.
