The karma currency foundation (ABN 54120979809) is a national, independent, charitable non-for-profit that seeks to revitalize the philanthropic landscape in Australia.

karma currency is a registered charity that has deductible gift recipient and income tax exempt status approved by the Australian Tax Office.

our vision

Our vision is to change the world! Well… maybe not the whole world. But certainly some of it! Through connecting people with the charities and causes that are closest to their hearts (whether it be starving children in Africa or a soup kitchen down the street) we hope to make charitable acts part of our everyday lives.

what we do.

Instead of giving platters, socks, photo frames and other useless gifts our initiative allows companies and individuals to give the gift of Charity Gift Vouchers. This Charitable voucher can be sent to families or friends, customers or colleagues, empowering them to give the donation to the charities they care about most. In short; our aim is to make karma currency the most soulful, meaningful, environmentally friendly and enjoyable gift you can give. The gift that 'spreads the love'.

our board

Karma currency's board sets policy and strategic goals that guide karma currency's operations.

Ashley Rosshandler - Founder and Director

Working in advertising and selling 2-minute-noodles left Ashley feeling a little low on good karma. But one day, when invited to an engagement party, Ashley and his wife wondered if it would be nice to give the happy couple a 'goat' in Africa. But what if they weren't into goats? Maybe they were into saving forests, or rescuing animals, or finding cures or education or the arts or any number of worthwhile causes? That's when the idea dawned on them for Charity Gift Vouchers. And they haven't looked back since! In his spare time Ashley sits on the board of DepressioNet, studies for an MBA at Monash and can be seen kicking and screaming whilst being dragged to gym by his wife at 6am.

Nicholas Weston

Nick Weston is a lawyer in private practice with Collins Street, Melbourne firm Nicholas Weston. He has strong experience in several practice areas with a focus on commercial law and brands. Nick Weston is also a registered Trade Marks Attorney.

Nick advises on joint ventures, corporations and not-for-profits, ICT, trade marks and commercial litigation. From 1983, Nick was a professional rower, a member of the Australian Rowing Team in 1989 and a Finallist in the LW4- at the World Rowing Championships, in Bled, Yugoslavia.

Nick is kind to small children and fluffy animals.

Phillip Aarons - Secretary

Philip Aarons graduated from Monash University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Economics (including a major in Accounting). Since graduating he has concentrated his career in the Financial Services industry working for Arthur Andersen Consulting followed by ANZ.

Philip is currently employed by NAB (nabCapital) after joining the organisation in 1998. Whilst qualified in Accounting, Philip has focused on Information Technology.

Philip is a qualified CPA, Centre of Excellence in Information Technology. He is also a registered Tax Agent. Philip is in his very early forties, is married with two children and lives in Melbourne and sometimes out on Port Philip Bay on his jet ski.

our advisors:

Dr Judith Slocombe

Dr Judith Slocombe is CEO of the children's charity The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. The foundation provides support for children who are victims of violent crime or sudden family loss as well as running programs to address the serious issue of bullying in schools. Judith also holds numerous directorships, including the Open Universities Australia, Agriculture Victoria Services, is Chairman of the Animal Welfare League of Victoria (Lord Smith Animal Hospital). She has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School. Judith has also been awarded the Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year and in 2003 she was awarded a centenary medal for service to Australian society in business leadership.

John Dalziel

John Dalziel was the Communications Director of The Salvation Army for 15 years prior to his retirement in 2006. His background is in marketing and for 27 years, prior to his work for the Salvos he was involved in advertising. He was the Managing Director for Dalziel Harper and Grey Advertising and Founder and joint owner of Grey Buchan Public Relations. The clients he worked on included Transport Accident Commission, Mars, State Bank and The Salvation Army. He sold his advertising and public relations businesses to work full time for the Salvos and thus brought together the two great interests in his life; working for the alleviation of injustice and poverty and communication of ideas.

Denis Tracey

Deputy Director, Centre for Philanthropy and Social Investment BA (ANU) Denis Tracey is Deputy Director of Philanthropy and Social Investment at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne. His previous appointments have included: 1996-99: Founding CEO of Family Business Australia, a national not-for-profit member-based organisation offering advice and services to family-owned businesses association of family-owned businesses. 1997-98: Founding Executive Officer of the Melbourne Community Foundation, an independent public foundation that enables and encourages individuals, families and corporations to set up philanthropic funds to benefit the community.

Kelley McLendon

Manager for Community Investment for the National Australia Bank. She provides advice and support to each of the regional banks owned by National in the development and implementation of meaningful strategies for corporate giving, employee volunteering and non-profit sponsorship. Kelley is a licensed Certified Financial Planner (US).

We believe that "what goes around comes around". If we look after our staff - they will look after us. If we support other charities - they will support us. If we hero our Corporate Sponsors - they will hero us. It's really that simple.

Each year over $1 billion is wasted on unwanted gifts that end up in the closet, in storage and ultimately in landfill. But imagine a gift that could save a child, protect a forest, find a cure, educate a mind, aid the arts, spur on spirituality or perform countless other wonderful acts. Well we have come up with such a gift and it's called Karma Currency - Australia's first Charity Gift Certificate.

The charities that deliver the 'directed gifts' have all signed legal agreements that state that their Directed Gift will accurately reflect the nature of the goods and services they provide and prominently state any qualifications, conditions or exclusions associated with that Directed Gift. In other words, you know where your money goes. And that's great karma!

The Karma Currency Foundation would be but a dream if not for the support of our wonderful sponsors. Please feel free to support them as they have supported us.

And if you'd like to help us achieve our vision, please feel free to phone us on 03 9686 6100 or email us at 0