Clyde & Co has successfully assisted Riverwood Community Centre in Sydney, Australia, to obtain registration as a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI).

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is responsible for determining PBI status. PBI status is granted when an organisation is able to establish that its main purpose is to relieve poverty, sickness, suffering or disability. Organisations with PBI status have access to significant taxation concessions, which can often open up additional fundraising opportunities and through Fringe Benefit Tax exemptions, assist in attracting and retaining high quality staff. 

Following the assistance of Clyde & Co, after operating for more than 40 years, Riverwood Community Centre has now become registered as a PBI.

In order to gain this recognition, Partner Marcus O'Brien and Associate Casey Williamson, working on a pro bono basis, drafted lengthy submissions to the ACNC, providing an in-depth analysis of Riverwood Community Centre's objectives and activities, funding arrangements and the demographic of users/members. 

Since opening in Australia in 2012, Clyde & Co has sought to implement a pro bono program which enables lawyers to utilise their legal expertise to support causes of public interest and address some of the unmet legal needs in Australia. Lawyers at Clyde & Co are actively encouraged to participate in the pro bono program, receiving an annual budget for their pro bono work, as well as learning and development opportunities. Our Australian offices have also formed partnerships with pro bono referral agencies in each state, in order to facilitate access to our pro bono program.