Charitable investment fundraiser

In Australia, charitable investment fundraisers (CIF) are not-for-profit entities with charitable purposes that take deposits from the public to finance those charitable purposes. CIFs may apply for an exemption from the requirement to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) if the “financial products” they provide is limited to the issue of debentures or the running of managed investment schemes. For example, the solicitation of secured loans that are paid back with interest are considered debentures. Such deposit taking entities have since 2003 also been exempted from certain requirements of the Banking Act 1959.

CIFs must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and, as charities, may also enjoy tax and other exemptions and benefits, such as deductible gift recipient status and exemption from income tax.^[1]

In 2013, ASIC estimated that there were more than 200 CIFs, with the largest funds being those operated by the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference.