Our services
Supporting Funders
Legal support for philanthropists, family offices, foundations and funders structuring giving, grant-making and long-term impact.
Entity establishment and giving vehicle design
Structured giving works best when the legal framework matches the funder’s intentions, family context, grant-making goals and long-term impact ambitions. EP Law helps philanthropists, family offices and foundations choose and establish giving vehicles with clarity from the start.
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We advise on the establishment of Private Ancillary Funds, Public Ancillary Funds, charitable trusts and other philanthropic entities. This includes support with structure, governance, trustee obligations, compliance requirements and the legal documents needed to establish the vehicle properly.
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We help funders understand the different pathways available for structured giving, including ancillary funds, trusts, donor-advised options and other models. We work through the practical and legal considerations so the structure supports responsible grant-making, family involvement and long-term impact.
Structured grant-making and funding agreements
Clear funding arrangements help protect trust between funders, charities, families, co-funders and grantees. EP Law helps funders structure gifts, grants and funding relationships so expectations, obligations and decision-making are understood from the beginning.
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We draft and review gift agreements, grant agreements and grant-making frameworks that clearly set out purpose, conditions, reporting, payment timing, recognition, acquittal requirements and other key obligations. The aim is to create practical documents that support the relationship, not bury it in unnecessary complexity.
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We advise on larger or more complex funding arrangements, including tied funding, milestone-based grants, multi-year commitments, collaborative funding and donor circle structures. We help clarify how funds will be used, what happens if circumstances change, and how risk is managed across the life of the relationship.
Legal compliance and governance for funders
Philanthropic structures need ongoing governance and compliance so generosity can be managed responsibly and with confidence. EP Law helps funders understand their obligations, manage risk and keep their giving structures aligned with purpose.
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We advise on the legal and compliance obligations that apply to philanthropic entities and structured giving arrangements. This may include ACNC and ATO obligations, ancillary fund requirements, distribution rules, record keeping, permitted activities and the legal responsibilities attached to different giving structures.
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We help funders strengthen the governance frameworks that sit around giving decisions, grant-making and philanthropic entities. This can include trustee duties, decision-making processes, conflicts management, family governance, risk settings and documentation that supports clear and responsible funding decisions.
Structure your generosity.
Amplify your impact.
Effective philanthropy is rarely just about giving more. It is about choosing the right structure, protecting your intentions, and creating a framework that can support strategic giving over time.
EP Law helps philanthropists, families, foundations and advisers work through the legal structure behind their giving.
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Private Ancillary Funds
For individuals or families seeking a structured, long-term giving vehicle with involvement in decisions and succession planning.
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Public Ancillary Funds
Where a structure needs public support, an independent public board, or a broader community or foundation model.
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Donor-advised and alternative pathways
Options that provide the right level of structure without unnecessary administration.
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Choosing the right pathway
A comparison based on goals, contribution, control, succession, capacity and desired involvement.
Legal support for AI governance across funding, philanthropy and portfolio risk…
EP Law helps funders approach AI with legal clarity, practical governance and a clear view of stakeholder trust. We also help funders design and build AI-enabled due diligence tools that strengthen and streamline their assessment processes, with the legal guardrails built in from the outset.
AI governance
Board oversight, governance frameworks, risk management and internal AI policies.
Portfolio and grantee risk
Support where AI use may affect privacy, transparency, data use or trust across your portfolio.
Data, privacy and confidentiality
Protection for donor, applicant, beneficiary and confidential funding information.
Regulation and responsible adoption
Guidance on Australia's evolving legal and regulatory landscape, so adoption stays ahead of obligation.
AI due diligence tools
Design and legal review of AI-assisted due diligence tools, so funders can assess applicants faster while keeping privacy, fairness and defensibility intact.
Training and practical frameworks
Readiness reviews, policy development, governance packages, training and workshops.
A clear path from first conversation to setup.
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Tell us what you are considering
Share what you hope to set up, your timeline, intended giving and advisers involved.
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Discovery conversation
Explore your motivations, current giving, professional context and goals.
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Tailored proposal
Receive a recommended pathway, scope, likely steps and what to expect.
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Setup and strategy begins
Build the legal structure to reflect your intentions and support long-term impact.
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Yes. EP Law can advise on PAFs, PuAFs, charitable trusts and donor-advised pathways, and help identify the right structure before commitments are made.
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Yes. EP Law can help with gift agreements, grant-making frameworks, major funding structures, donor circles and funder-ready legal frameworks.
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Yes. EP Law advises on responsible AI adoption, including governance, board oversight, privacy, confidentiality, intellectual property, policy and risk management.
Common legal support questions
Not sure where your legal need fits?
Use the enquiry form and EP Law can help identify the best next step.