Steer undergoes a due diligence process on each mission prior to funds being able to be distributed to them.  Australian based missions have to provide a range of details including statement of faith and charity registration details.  The mission is then checked against the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) register and other sources.

When a suggestion is to send funds directly overseas to an agency, the checks are more stringent and take longer to complete.

Through Steer Incorporated, you can support a wide range of Christian mission organisations whether in Australia or overseas.

We welcome suggestions for new mission and outreach agencies to receive support through Steer.

1. Criteria for accepting new mission organisations

Our criteria for accepting any new organisation is that they are actively involved in Christian mission and outreach, and have a statement of faith which is compatible with Steer’s.  Acceptance is also at the discretion of Steer’s Directors.

Steer undergoes a due diligence process on each mission prior to funds being able to be distributed to them.  Australian based missions have to provide a range of details including statement of faith and charity registration details.  The mission is then checked against the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) register and other sources.

When a suggestion is to send funds directly overseas to an agency, the checks are more stringent and take longer to complete.

2. Funds can be specifically designated

Funds directed to an organisation may also be designated for a particular project.  Such projects might be support for specific workers and missionaries, a project or for General funds./

3. Distribution parameters

Steer does not distribute funds towards the general operating expenses of churches. However, funds can be provided to churches for missionary support or for specific outreach activities.  In the past we have supported ministries involving radio, youth ministries and special ministry programs.

Steer does not distribute funds to organisations whose predominant purpose is to lobby for changes to (or reinforcement of) government policies, or to Christian (or other) political parties.

Steer regularly distributes funds to over 350 organisations per year, including most of the major non-denominational mission agencies.

Steer has a number of ways in which you are able to support missions and outreach programs around the world.  We work with Ministry Partners who provide suggestions as to where funds are needed.

Steer offers different arrangements to allow you to give tax effectively, these include:

• Steer 31 Account: People with funds to lend
• Rental Property Program: Owners of rental properties
• Farm Program – Crops: Farmers growing crops
• Farm Program – Livestock and Wool: Farmers raising livestock or producing wool, milk or other farm products
• Family and Discretionary Trusts: People with family and discretionary trusts
• Bequests/Legacies: People wishing to make a bequest

Steer meets its operating costs from income generated from its own assets. Steer does not charge any transaction fees.

To explain how Steer assists you in giving more, you need to understand two definitions

• Tax Exempt – do not have to pay tax
• Tax Deductible – an expense subtracted from gross income to reduce the amount of income subject to tax

Charitable individuals who give as part of their being, can use their assets smarter by using Steer as a vehicle to strengthening the causes they love.

You give more as, when giving directly, you can only give income you’ve earned once tax has been paid. By allowing Steer to generate income on your assets, you can utilise Steer’s tax exemption to distribute the full amount of the funds raised directly to a cause you support.

1. Non-deductible Charities and Non-Deductible Projects

The greatest benefit of using Steer applies when a mission supporter wishes to support an organisation or project that is not tax deductible.  Using Steer allows the supporter to add to their gift to the mission or outreach organisation without it actually costing them any more because no tax has to be paid.

For example

Giving Option 1
You give $5 cash to a tax deductible charity, you claim back a tax deduction.  You get part back because you can claim a tax deduction. In reality, you have just given, say $3.50.

Giving Option 2
You can open a Steer 31 Account with $500, which you let Steer invest for you. Say the interest rate earned is 1% per year for easy calculation purposes and so your asset earns $5.  As Steer is tax exempt, the $5 is tax free and goes directly to the charity. You are actually giving the full $5. In this scenario where the charity is a non-deductible charity or project, you are making a smart money choice to give without costing you any more.

2. Using Steer – the Higher Tax Rate, the Greater Benefit

The higher the tax rate you pay to the Australian government, the greater benefit of using Steer.

See below graph showing additional funds made available to missions depending on your marginal tax rate.

For example

If you are on a tax rate of 31.5% you would have to earn $146 before tax to give $100 net tax.  So if you were going to give anyway, why not make a smart choice by using Steer to enable you to give the entire $146 to your suggested mission.  Income generated by your assets with Steer, allows you to utilise Steer’s tax exemption to distribute the funds directly to the causes you support. There would be an extra 46% which goes towards strengthening the causes you love in the example used above.

1. Tax Efficient Giving

As Steer Incorporated is a not for profit charitable organisation, it has a tax exemption.  Choosing to work with Steer allows you to maximize your giving to the missions you love.  Income that is earned by your contributions is tax exempt and directly distributed to missions you have previously suggested.

2. Convenience

With Steer, you have the convenience of allowing Steer to handle the mechanics of your giving.  You are able to nominate one or several missions on your distribution suggestions list.  We automate your giving by making distributions based on your suggestions at your request (every 6 months) and where distributable funds reach over $50.

Should you wish to make your distribution and would like to do so anonymously, Steer is able to maintain your anonymity.

Through Steer Incorporated, you can support a wide range of Christian mission organisations whether in Australia or overseas.

We welcome suggestions for new mission and outreach agencies to receive support through Steer.

Criteria for accepting new mission organisations

Our criteria for accepting any new organisation is that they are actively involved in Christian mission and outreach, and have a statement of faith which is compatible with Steer’s.  Acceptance is also at the discretion of Steer’s Directors.

Funds can be specifically designated

Funds directed to an organisation may also be designated for a particular project.  Such projects might be support for specific workers and missionaries, a project or for General funds.

Distribution parameters

Steer does not distribute funds towards the general operating expenses of churches. However, funds can be provided to churches for missionary support or for specific outreach activities.  In the past we have supported ministries accessing the radio, youth ministries and special ministry programs.

Steer does not distribute funds to organisations whose predominant purpose is to lobby for changes to (or reinforcement of) government policies, or to Christian (or other) political parties.

Steer regularly distributes funds to over 350 organisations per year, including most of the major non-denominational mission agencies.

To use Steer is a 3 step process

1. Decide how you would like to partner with Steer, by choosing a program(s)
2. Decide who you would like to support
3. Steer uses your assets to generate income which is distributed to missions

Steer is a not for profit, charitable organisation registered under the Corporations Act as a company limited by guarantee (ABN 99 004 552 809).  Steer’s financial records are audited annually by an independent auditor, and an annual financial report filed with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

Steer’s purpose is to:

• Encourage Christian generosity
• Provide ways to financially support strategic Christian ministries anywhere in the world