Friends Trust Fund – A Community-Driven Savings Program Built on Trust

In today’s fast-paced world, saving money is often easier said than done. Expenses come up, priorities change, and money that was meant to be saved quietly slips away on things that were never truly essential.

Here in Griffith, NSW, a close group of friends decided to approach this problem differently — not individually, but together. That idea became what we now call the Friends Trust Fund.

What Is the Friends Trust Fund?

The Friends Trust Fund is a friends-only, trust-based rotating savings program run by a group of close friends from Griffith and nearby towns. While it originally began within the Malayalee community, today it includes members from other backgrounds as well — united by one common factor: mutual trust and the desire to support one another.

This is not an investment scheme, not a financial product, and not a business. No one makes a profit, and no one loses money. The real value lies in disciplined saving, reduced financial stress, and community support when it matters most.

How the Program Works

• Each member contributes $1,000 every fortnight
• All members agree to a full cycle upfront
• A dedicated WhatsApp group is used for communication
• Payout dates are selected via a WhatsApp poll
• Cycle completes once everyone receives their payout

Each member chooses a payout date based on their personal needs — whether that’s buying a home, clearing a loan, travelling to India, or covering major family expenses.

When a payout date arrives:

• Every member transfers $1,000 directly to the chosen member’s bank account
• Two weeks later, the process repeats for the next payout date
• This continues until everyone has received their payout once

The number of fortnights equals the number of members. Once all payouts are completed, the cycle ends — and a new one begins.

So in practical terms:

• Everyone pays the same amount
• Everyone receives the same total amount
• No interest is paid
• No profit is made

Yet, everyone gains.

Prioritising Real Needs

One of the most meaningful aspects of the Friends Trust Fund is how payout dates are handled when multiple members select the same date.

Rather than rigid rules, the group relies on:

• Open discussion
• Understanding individual circumstances
• Sometimes inviting other members to help decide fairly

Priority is always given to genuine needs, such as:

• Paying off car or personal loans
• Permanent Residence visa fees for families
• Emergency or important travel to India
• Major life events like weddings or family commitments

This flexibility is what keeps the program human — not transactional.

Trust, Transparency & Accountability

There are no admins, no penalties, and no contracts.

The program runs purely on:

• Peer trust
• Shared responsibility
• Clear communication

All transactions are recorded in a private Google Sheet, accessible only to participating members via restricted email access. The sheet tracks:

• Payment dates
• Payout dates
• Transaction reference numbers
• Who paid whom
• Upcoming payouts
• Total contributions

Real Impact, Real Lives

The Friends Trust Fund has already helped members to:

• Clear car loans and reduce interest paid to banks
• Fund Permanent Residence visa fees for entire families
• Travel back to India to visit family after long gaps
• Attend important family events such as weddings

Perhaps the most powerful benefit is this:

That sense of dignity, security, and support has created an incredibly positive environment within the group.

Even members who knew they would struggle — such as those going on maternity leave or reduced income — felt comfortable stepping away for a cycle, knowing the group would still be there when the time was right.

More Than Money

At its heart, the Friends Trust Fund is about more than saving money.

It’s about:

• Building financial discipline
• Reducing stress
• Avoiding unnecessary debt
• Strengthening friendships
• Creating a culture of mutual support

Saving together has proven far more powerful than saving alone.

Looking Ahead: Cycle 4

The program has successfully completed three cycles and is now preparing to start Cycle 4, with interest growing and more friends keen to participate.

If you value:

• Trust over contracts
• Community over individual gain
• Support over stress

…then this might be something worth exploring.

Disclaimer

The Friends Trust Fund is a friends-only trust system.

It is not a registered financial product, not an investment scheme, and does not offer financial advice. Participation is voluntary and based entirely on mutual trust among members.

Interested in Joining Cycle 4?

If you’d like to express interest, learn more, or have a conversation with the organisers, feel free to reach out:

Message on WhatsApp

We’re always happy to chat and explain how it works.