Frequently Asked Questions

Is 52 Degree Foundation a registered charity?

Yes. 52 Degree Foundation Limited is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and is endorsed as a Public Benevolent Institution.

Are donations tax deductible?

52 Degree Foundation Limited is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient. Eligible gifts may be tax deductible. Donors should obtain their own taxation advice regarding their individual circumstances.

Who can apply for support?

Eligibility depends on the programme. Individual Grants, Community Grants, Educational Scholarships and Little Red Heart Scholarships each have their own applicant, geographic, age and funding requirements. Applicants should review the relevant current guidelines before applying.

Does the Foundation only support children in Victoria?

No. Some Foundation programmes are available to eligible children across Australia, while certain programmes, including Community Grants, may have specific Victorian eligibility requirements. Check the relevant programme page and guidelines.

Does meeting the eligibility criteria guarantee funding?

No. Eligibility allows an application to be considered. Funding decisions remain subject to programme criteria, assessment, available funds and Foundation approval.

What is the Little Red Heart Appeal?

The Little Red Heart Appeal is a Foundation fundraising initiative supporting approved charitable programmes and campaigns for children and young people.

Why is 52 Degree Foundation purchasing the Airlie Beach Yacht Club building?

The proposed acquisition is intended to establish a permanent home for a community-based, not-for-profit Yacht Club serving Airlie Beach and the wider Whitsunday community. The Club is intended to support sailing, competitions, membership, recreation, community participation, events and hospitality within an established governance structure.

Has 52 Degree Foundation already purchased the building?

The Foundation is progressing the proposed acquisition under the applicable transaction arrangements. Public information will be updated when the relevant transaction milestones have been legally completed.

Is the Foundation developing the building?

No. The property development is being progressed separately through Brookfields La Perla Landco Pty Ltd, the project-specific development SPV. The Foundation is the proposed purchaser of the Yacht Club component.

Will the Yacht Club be a private commercial venue?

Airlie Beach Yacht Club is intended to operate as a community-based member Yacht Club within the not-for-profit structure of 52 Degree Foundation Limited. Hospitality and recreation are intended to support the life and financial sustainability of the Club, alongside sailing, competition, membership and community participation.

Will the car park be available to the public?

The wider development includes a substantial structured parking facility intended to support the Yacht Club and broader public and visitor parking demand within Airlie Beach. Final operating arrangements remain subject to the development process and commercial agreements.

Will 52 Degree Foundation operate the car park?

The long-term ownership and operation of the structured parking facility is being considered separately from the Yacht Club. The development structure allows for an experienced professional parking organisation to acquire, lease or operate the facility under an appropriate commercial arrangement.

Why use a professional car-park operator?

A substantial structured public parking facility requires specialist systems for access, payments, security, maintenance, compliance, customer service and day-to-day operation. A professional operator allows those functions to be managed by an organisation with appropriate parking-industry expertise.

Who manages the Foundation?

Silvija Romano is Managing Director of 52 Degree Foundation Limited and works within the governance framework established by the Foundation and its Board.

How are grant applications assessed?

Applications are checked against the criteria for the relevant programme and proceed through the applicable eligibility, assessment and approval process. Full requirements are published in each programme’s current guidelines.