Mr McMillan deplored outward shows of wealth and any form of extravagance was anathema. He would go to great lengths to save a few pennies, yet was generous to those who needed a helping hand, always provided they were industrious and frugal. He enjoyed projecting the image of a tough and ruthless businessman but was generous to organisations with which he was associated, and did a great deal of good by stealth. He went to great lengths to ensure that gifts, donations and even short term personal loans remained private. His generosity was carefully hidden until after his death with only one exception. In 1966 he paid for an upgrade of the area surrounding the Robert Burns statue in the Octagon and attended the opening, a rare venture into the limelight.

Apart from the Stock Exchange, Mr McMillan’s energies went primarily into real estate. Before long, he was steeped in knowledge of the property market and, in the post-war housing shortage, helped many people into their own homes. If he was satisfied that the would-be purchaser was of good character, money would always be found for a second or third mortgage at a reasonable rate of interest, often from his own funds.

Mr McMillan died on 8 July 1967. His Will, after some personal bequests, left his estate to what is now known as the Alexander McMillan Trust. He also left to the Dunedin City Council a section bounded by Highgate, Lynn Street and McMillan Street. He expressly stated that it was to be laid out as a children’s playground. The playground remains there today.

Applications to the Trust commenced in 1971. Since then virtually every corner of Otago has derived benefit from the Trust. There have been large grants to the University of Otago, Ross Home, the Edgar Sports Centre, the Scanner Appeal, the Otago Peninsula Trust, the Dunedin Art Gallery and many more. The Trust has also made many smaller grants to schools, kindergartens, playcentres, pipe bands, swimming pools, churches and social agencies. In 1988 the Trust had no difficulty in making a grant which would have gladdened Mr McMillan’s heart. It gave the DCC a grant to expand the paved area around the Burns Statue in the Octagon.

The Trustees are the Mayor of the City of Dunedin, the Vice-Chancellor of the Otago University, the Dean of the Otago Medical School, a representative from the religious community, and Mr A J Anderson, a partner with Gallaway Cook Allan.

The object of the Trust is to provide funds for religious, educational and charitable purposes within Otago. The Trustees welcome applications from the wider provincial area as well as the City of Dunedin.

As a matter of policy, the Trustees prefer to assist with capital projects rather than recurring or administrative expenditure.

What the Trustees Consider:

• Does the project fall within the legal definition of "charitable"
• Is your project realistic and how does it benefit the organisation and/or the community
• The number of people who will benefit from the project
• Is the organisation financially viable
• What other fund-raising has been done and whether the project target is attainable
• Are the results from the project measurable?

Information on Specific Grant Policies Adopted by the Trust

Playgrounds

The Trustees will consider applications for playgrounds (provided that they are able to be used by the wider community). You may apply for:

• Up to $10,000 for a small upgrade to an existing playground
• Up to $20,000 for large redevelopments or new playgrounds

Halls

• The Trustees will consider applications for the upgrade of school and community halls
• The Trustees will take into account the level of community use of the hall
• The Trustees will not consider applications for halls which are not available for community use

School Libraries

• The Trustees will consider applications for library books up to $2,000
• Library equipment will not be funded

Motor Vehicles

The Trustees will consider applications for motor vehicles for up to half the cost of the vehicle on the following basis:

• The annual business related usage needs to be high enough to make ownership the most economical option, versus rental, taxis, reimbursing members use of private vehicles, leasing, etc.
• There should be evidence that the applicants projected income could cash fund depreciation so that a vehicle replacement reserve could be built up
• The vehicle must be used in direct connection with service delivery, eg: transporting clients rather than for core administrative purposes, eg: an administrators car
• The applicant needs to demonstrate that the running cost of the vehicle can be met from internal sources
• Ownership of the vehicle must be registered in the name of the applicant organisation

How to Make an Application:

Applications in the form of a letter should be forwarded to:

The Trustees
Alexander McMillan Trust
Gallaway Cook Allan Lawyers
PO Box 143
Dunedin 9054

Each application must consist of:

1. Six copies of:
   • Completed application summary sheet “Download the Application Summary here”
   • Letter providing information about the applicant and the project
   • Quotes
2. One copy of your financial statements, reports, plans, etc.

The Trustees meet four times a year (in March, June, September and December) to consider applicants for grants. Applications must be received by us by the 15th of the previous month – making the close off dates 15 February, 15 May, 15 August and 15 November

Applications should include:

Details of your organisation;

• Your organisation's legal status
• Information about the project you are applying for; including such details as size, how much, how many, quotes and prices
• Details of the cost of the project and how you intend to pay for it including your own fundraising and whether you are applying to other organisations for assistance
• Information on how the project will impact on the community including the number of people who will benefit
• Information about your methods of financial recording and planning such as budgeting and forecasting for both the project as well as your ongoing operations. You must include copies of your latest audited annual financial statements and latest annual report
• Your bank deposit slip

What the Trust will not make grants to or for:

• Individuals
• Commercial organisations
• Sports or social clubs/groups
• Sponsorships for tournaments, events, workshops, etc
• Travel
• Seminars, courses or any type of training
• Salaries, rents or similar overhead or administration costs
• Volunteer expenses
• Consumables
• Endowments
• Political parties or lobby groups
• Projects which the Trustees consider to be the responsibility of the local or central government
• Projects in retrospect, or projects intended to refinance existing debt
• Computer equipment or websites, printers, scanning and associated equipment
• Publishing of books
• Earthquake strengthening work

There is a stand-down period for three years between grants.
Please do not apply if you have received a grant within the last three years. 

Further information

If you require any further information please contact Linda on the link below: