To be considered for funding from ASB Community Trust your organisation must be a registered incorporated society or a registered charitable trust.
 

Charitable trusts

To register a charitable trust under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957, the trust must exist principally or solely for a charitable purpose (as defined in the Act.) For example, the promotion of education or religion, the relief of poverty or for a purpose of benefit to the community.

There is no fee payable for registering a charitable trust and information about how to register can be located on the Ministry of Economic Development's website http://www.companies.govt.nz


An incorporated society

A group of people or an organisation can apply for registration under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. Once the society is registered, it is known as an incorporated society. A wide range of groups and organisations apply for incorporation, including sports clubs, music and cultural groups and special interest organisations.

Once registered the incorporated society becomes a separate legal entity (“person”), distinct from its members. This means that the members are not personally liable for the society’s debts, contracts or other obligations. Likewise, members do not have any personal interest in any property or assets owned by the society.

An incorporated society will continue in existence as long as it files certain documents with the Registrar, or until its members, or a creditor, decide to bring the incorporated society to an end.

Visit the Ministry of Economic Development's website http://www.companies.govt.nz for more information