About us
All writers know that their income will drastically wax and wane through the years of a working life. It’s part of the deal that must be accepted, and writers get used to lurching between feast and famine. But later in life, as energy begins to flag, a writer can hit an unexpected rough patch - a fall, a fire, a nasty dental bill - and suddenly find the precipice rather too close for comfort. At such times of need the Writers Benevolent Fund, this sympathetic, niche organisation, can offer a helping hand.
We encourage writers in need to apply to us for help; and we recommend our Fund as a worthy and essential cause to which readers and lovers of books might find it in their hearts to make a fully tax-deductible donation.
Helen Garner, WBF Patron
Background and history
The Writers Benevolent Fund provides assistance to authors finding themselves in financial difficulties. It was established on the initiative of the late Nancy Keesing, Australian poet and author. Nancy was a staunch member of the Australian Society of Authors and with her generous founding donation established a trust in 1981 to help writers in need.
Over the years, the Fund has accumulated capital from donations, which is invested in approved trustee securities. Grants are paid out from interest earned. Unpaid interest is added to the capital of the Fund. The trustees meet regularly to consider applications.
The Writers Benevolent Fund has been endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) since 1 July 2000. It is is covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. The Fund is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed to access tax concessions for GST and FBT since July 2005 and Income Tax since July 2000. The details of the registration can be found on the Australian Charities and Not For Profit Commission website.
Trustees and patrons
The current Trustees are Michael Frankel AM, Roger McDonald, Lynne Spender, Meg Stewart, and Debra Adelaide.
Patrons are Helen Garner and Pauline Griffin.
Past Patrons: Jon Cleary, Mark Hertzberg, Deirdre Hill, and Nancy Keesing.
Corporate Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge that the Copyright Agency has made a one off donation of $5,000 to the Writers Benevolent Fund to honour the Late Frank Moorhouse’s contribution to copyright and Australian literature.