Appeal Application SA

If you’re looking to raise funds for the conservation of a heritage place or object, the National Trust of South Australia can support your appeal through our trusted, tax-deductible fundraising framework.

The National Trust of South Australia can support heritage projects by auspicing Conservation Appeals – empowering communities to protect the places they value.

This allows owners or custodians of heritage places or objects to raise tax-deductible donations for essential repairs and conservation.

Through our not-for-profit, tax-deductible status, the Trust can extend this benefit to eligible heritage appeals run by other organisations—provided the place offers a community benefit and funds are raised from the public.

Importantly, it allows members of the community to donate to causes they care about, helping to keep South Australia’s heritage alive and thriving.

We partner with community groups, Committees of Management, and other not-for-profits to preserve significant places for future generations.

Eligibility Criteria

Types of Works:  

External Appeals are for the conservation of heritage fabric only. Conservation covers all the processes of maintenance, repair and restoration as defined in the ICOMOS Australia Burra Charter. Works that are considered protective or that would positively contribute to the long term preservation of the structure may also be eligible. Examples of protective and long term preservation works eligible include:  

  • Pipe Organ servicing and maintenance  
  • Improved drainage to prevent damp problems  
  • Replacement of old and dangerous electrical services  
  • Installation of fire prevention services such as alarms, sprinkler  

The funds must be directed to physical conservation and restoration works or documentation/expert advice reports/contract administration relating to conservation and restoration works.   

Specific exclusions are:  

  • payment of building and contents insurance   
  • new construction  
  • general overheads  
  • purchase of equipment  
  • the work of in-house staff  
  • the purchase of places or objects.  

An External Appeal can cover a broad scope of work proposed in the short term as well as ongoing and futures maintenance and conservation projects.  

Recognised heritage significance:  

  • Eligible places or objects must be listed on the South Australian Heritage Register, be included in a municipal Heritage Overlay, or be classified by the National Trust of South Australia.  

Ownership:  

Places and object which are eligible include: 

  • Places or objects owned by community or not-for profit incorporated bodies. This can include bodies with exclusive membership such as private clubs, sporting or arts groups and the like, as well as religious organisations  
  • Places under the responsibility of not-for-profit community bodies acting as a Committee of Management under the Crown Lands Reserves Act.  
  • Places owned by a local municipality but leased by / managed by not-for-profit community bodies.  
  • Objects in public places such as statues, memorials and fountains owned or managed by a local municipality.  
  • Objects that are privately owned and publicly viewable/accessible but the restoration of which would not provide a direct financial benefit to the owner.  

Places and objects which are not eligible include:  

  • Places owned by an individual or private company, family trust or the like that have no public accessibility/benefit.  
  • Places operating on a commercial or for-profit basis.  
  • Places or objects owned by State government departments, agencies or statutory authorities (this therefore includes objects held in major public institutions).  

Owners Consent:  

Applications without the organisation’s consent will not be considered.  

Visibility and Accessibility:  

Eligible heritage places and objects must be accessible or viewable by the public. Where an interior is considered significant and part of the project, or an object is held inside, it should also still have some form of accessibility by the general public. This may take the form of an annual open day.  

For further information about this program, eligibility criteria and to begin the application process, please contact the National Trust of South Australia 08 8202 9200.

Application Requirements

Certain information must be provided in order for an External Appeal request to be considered. All details of the restoration works, including methodology, materials, expertise, etc. must be approved by the Trust in order to ensure that the works are of the highest conservation standards.    

The Organisation shall submit in writing to the Trust the following information:  

  • evidence of the heritage listing of the place  
  • documentation confirming that the ownership and management of the place satisfies the Eligibility Criteria  
  • details of proposed restoration works, with photos, plans, specifications and estimated timelines  
  • an estimate of total cost and the proposed appeal target  
  • details of any other proposed works whatsoever affecting any part of the site, buildings or structures   
  • copies of any current building, planning or Heritage Council permits  
  • name of the conservation architect.

Please download the Application Form below.

Call to action section

Apply to open a Heritage Conservation Appeal

Download Application Form Here