Is My Donation to Charity Tax Deductible? | Fred Hollows Foundation

The Fred Hollows Foundation is a registered Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) charity under Australian tax law, which means your contribution is fully tax deductible.

Many Australians give to charity without knowing whether their contribution qualifies as a tax deduction. If you have ever wondered whether your support for The Fred Hollows Foundation reduces your tax bill, the answer above is the short version — the rest of this page explains how DGR status works, what qualifies as a gift, and how to claim your deduction at tax time.

Support The Fred Hollows Foundation — make a tax-deductible contribution today.

Are Charity Donations Tax Deductible in Australia?

If you donate to The Fred Hollows Foundation, your contribution is tax deductible. The Foundation is a registered Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office, which means eligible gifts reduce your taxable income in the year you give.

This means you can make a real, positive impact in the world while reducing your taxable income. When you donate to The Fred Hollows Foundation, you’re supporting sight-saving programs that restore sight to people living with avoidable blindness.

Always seek the advice of a professional tax accountant to confirm how your donations apply to your personal tax situation.

Make a Difference: Why Your Tax-Deductible Donations Matter

Every year, millions of Australians donate generously to causes they care about.

But not everyone knows that donations to registered charities can also be used to lower their tax bill.

The Fred Hollows Foundation holds official Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, which means we are endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Every eligible donation may be claimed as a tax deduction when you lodge your return.

Give to a cause that you care about.
Contribute to a better future.
Reduce what you pay in tax.

How Tax-Deductible Donations Work

For example, if you donate $200 to The Fred Hollows Foundation, when you lodge your tax return, you can claim that $200 as a deduction.

If your taxable income is $80,000, you will only pay tax on $79,800 instead. Once you receive your post-tax take-home pay and deduct the $200 donation, you are left with more money in your pocket.

It is one simple and cost-effective way of maximising your giving impact while minimising your tax.

Are All Charity Donations Tax Deductible in Australia?

In Australia, charity donations qualify as tax-deductible if they meet the specific conditions set by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Key Criteria for a Tax-Deductible Donation

1. Registered Charity

A tax-deductible donation must be made to a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR): an organisation vetted and endorsed by the ATO, such as The Fred Hollows Foundation. Not every organisation calling itself a charity is registered as a DGR.

You can verify any charity’s status using the ABN lookup tool at abn.business.gov.au. The Foundation’s ABN is 68 072 807 786.

2. Voluntary Donation

The donation must be a voluntary gift of money or property (such as shares). As the donor, you cannot receive a material benefit or personal gain in return, such as raffle tickets, event tickets, or organisation merchandise.

3. Minimum Donation Amount

The minimum amount to claim is $2, and The Fred Hollows Foundation accepts contributions of any amount. Some property gifts have additional valuation rules, and some charities are subject to special conditions.

4. Receipts

Keep all receipts or records showing the donation amount, the charity name and ABN, and a reference to the contribution being a gift.

Exclusions

Tax-deductible donations in Australia do not include:

Pre-Tax donations under salary sacrifice arrangements
Gifting through wills
Crowdfunding initiatives with an unregistered charity
Political gifts (with some provisions)

Is a Donation to The Fred Hollows Foundation Tax Deductible?

Yes. Because The Fred Hollows Foundation meets all of the above requirements, gifts you make to support our mission of eliminating preventable blindness around the world are fully tax deductible under Australian law.

Why Donors Miss Out on Tax-Deductible Donations in Australia

Each year, thousands of Australians donate generously to important causes but do not claim their donation through a tax deduction. Why?

Some people are unsure if the charity qualifies as a registered DGR.
Some people are unsure if they received ineligible benefits (e.g., raffle tickets) for their donation.
Some people lose track of donation receipts before tax time.

Once you donate to The Fred Hollows Foundation, we provide you with a tax invoice detailing your donation as a gift with no personal benefit, including the Foundation’s DGR registration details.

You can rest assured that your donations go towards life-changing programs like sight-restoration surgeries, training for local eye health workers, and community access projects — while also being tax deductible.

You’ll automatically receive a tax receipt for every donation.
Eligible gifts are tax deductible in Australia.
Recurring monthly donations also qualify — each payment is reflected on your annual statement.

Restore sight, claim your deduction, and be part of lasting change — support The Fred Hollows Foundation.

How to Claim a Tax-Deductible Donation in Australia

1. Make a Donation

Make a tax-deductible donation to The Fred Hollows Foundation via your preferred method: online, by phone, or by mail.

2. Save Your Receipt

Whether you make a one-off or recurring donation, you will receive a receipt from the Foundation. Save your receipt (including digital email receipts) in a safe place ready for tax time.

3. File Your Tax Return

When you file your annual tax return with the ATO — or your accountant lodges it for you — make sure to include the donation amount in your deductions.

4. Receive the Deduction

Provided you meet the conditions above, the ATO will reduce your taxable income and issue a refund if applicable.

How Your Donation Restores Sight

Having charitable donations be tax deductible is helpful, but the lasting impact comes from the practical, proven programs your gift funds. Every dollar you give helps us end avoidable blindness by:

Restoring sight through cataract surgery and eye treatments.
Training local doctors and nurses to deliver sustainable, ongoing care.
Equipping clinics with essential medical tools and technology.
Preventing blindness through health education and screening in remote and low-income areas.

Change a life for $25

A single cataract surgery can cost as little as $25. Even a small contribution can change lives forever — and be tax deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a charity donation tax-deductible?

Yes, if you donate to a registered charity endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) by the Australian Taxation Office. The Fred Hollows Foundation is a registered DGR, so your donation can be claimed when you lodge your tax return.

Are all charities tax-deductible in Australia?

No. Charities must be recognised by the ATO as DGRs to offer tax-deductible donations. Charities should also be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

How do I check if a charity is a DGR?

You can search the charity or organisation on the ABN Lookup website. Some charities also independently display their ATO endorsement. The Fred Hollows Foundation’s DGR status is publicly available on our ABN listing.

What donations are not tax-deductible?

Donations tied to specific benefits are not considered a ‘gift’. This includes any contribution that entitles you to:

Raffle tickets
Event entry
Merchandise or products

According to the ATO, only pure donations with no benefit in return qualify.

Can I claim recurring monthly donations, including direct debit?

Yes. Regular recurring gifts made throughout the year — whether by credit card, direct debit or recurring bank transfer — count as separate tax-deductible contributions in the financial year each transaction is processed. When you sign up for our monthly giving program, the Foundation provides an annual statement summarising every contribution, so you do not need to track individual receipts at tax time.

How much can I claim?

There is no maximum limit for legitimate, eligible charity donations. You can claim tax-deductible donations in Australia on as much as you donate, provided the charity is a recognised DGR and you retain proof of payment.

For EOFY deadlines and timing, see our guide to EOFY giving before 30 June.

Give to Something Bigger with Your Tax-Deductible Donation

Every dollar you donate to The Fred Hollows Foundation goes towards restoring sight and ending avoidable blindness — but it does much more than that. It restores independence and opportunity.

The Fred Hollows Foundation is a recognise d charity, registered Deductible Gift Recipient, and a reputable humanitarian organisation changing lives around the world. Help us eliminate preventable blindness once and for all.