After two long years we’ve achieved a big milestone

After two long years of hard work, countless long committee meetings - some that stretched late into the night, and more constitutional changes than we ever imagined, Mums of the Hills has finally reached a major milestone: we’ve submitted our application to become a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

Along the way, we’ve faced difficult decisions and had heated debates within the committee. Our initial application was withdrawn based on a recommendation by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC), which questioned whether “motherhood” itself was considered an act worthy of charity. We were told we were supporting too many issues. Our drive to be self-sustaining, rather than fully reliant on donations, risked being viewed as a form of business activity. Under the Community Sheds category (formerly known as Men’s Shed), we were told we didn’t “make” anything tangible — a measure used to assess charitable worth. We sarcastically joked (though not really) that we’d done a pretty good job growing, birthing, and developing the next generation of Australians… but apparently that doesn’t count. To add complexity, our large online membership created a constitutional conundrum that even our pro bono lawyer had never encountered before.

Through it all, we’ve had incredible support from Paul Ellis at Maddocks, who has guided us through the complex charity and DGR requirements. We wouldn’t have made it this far without him.

You may be wondering why we’ve continued on this journey. Becoming a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status isn’t just about a title, it’s about creating more opportunities for our community. Charity registration formally recognises the work we do and holds us to the highest standards of transparency and governance. DGR status, in particular, allows us to accept tax-deductible donations, making it easier for individuals, businesses, and philanthropic organisations to support us.

It also opens the door to new funding streams, including grants and partnerships that are only available to registered charities. Most importantly, it strengthens our ability to deliver the programs, advocacy, and support our community needs, while ensuring we remain sustainable for the long term.

This isn’t a done deal. There’s no certainty yet that our application will be approved, and we know there still could be a long fight ahead. However, reaching this point is worth celebrating, so yay us. Please keep all your fingers and toes crossed and we’ll keep you posted on updates.