×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog

Since its establishment in 1874, the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog has become the trustee of over 550 trustsÌýcreated by gifts or bequests to the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog over its history.

These trusts are held in an endowment fund and provide income for a wide range of ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog purposes including prizes, awards, bursaries, scholarships, fellowships, professional chair positions, research funding, books, publications and faculty equipment.

In 2022, the Trusts Governance Framework will be implemented across the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog to improve accountability and compliance with the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s statutory obligations and donor expectations, and to prioritise the use of trust funds for the highest strategic benefit.

The Framework aims to improve and influence accountability, strategic decision making, and compliance with the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s statutory obligations and donors’ expectations.ÌýIt comprises four key initiatives:

• Establishment of a ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog Trusts Committee, as a Special Committee of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive, for the management of the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s Major TrustsÌýand for oversight of all other trusts;
• Establishment of Faculty Trusts Committees and Divisional Trusts Committees for the Division of Academic and Student Engagement and the Division of Research and Innovation to oversee each Faculty or Division’s management of their trusts;
• For each trust to be administered in accordance with approved rules which will have regard to strategic decision-making relating to expenditure, and compliance with the terms of the trust; and
• For trust expenditure to be included in the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s budgeting and forecasting processes to ensure expenditure is programmed and acquitted, and non-expenditure is tracked by the Faculty or Division.

The Trusts Governance Framework aims to deliver the following outcomes:

• Improved compliance with the Trustees Act 1936 (SA);
• Improved compliance with the terms of each trust;
• Increased donor confidence, to encourage and grow philanthropy;
• Increased strategic use and appropriate oversight of the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s largest endowments;
• Increased visibility by senior management over the management of ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s trusts and the importance of philanthropy, gift-giving strategies and goals; and
• More targeted support by the Legal and Risk Branch to Executive Deans/Divisional Heads and Faculties/Divisions to raise the understanding of trusts management.

The ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog Trust Compliance Centre (UTCC) within the Legal and Risk Branch will support the stakeholders involved in the Framework by:-

• providing assistance with reporting requirements for committee meetings;
• providing assistance with the review and endorsement of Rules;
• establishing new trusts;
• providing education and awareness sessions;
• management of compliance reporting;
• working with Schools/Faculties/Divisions to correct non-compliances;
• maintaining the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog's Trusts Register;
• providing advice on administering and managing trusts and rules; and
• preparing reports to the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog Trusts Committee.