Finding a new north: reflections on the Community Compass report
Posted on 23 Jul 2024
A new report has found that community perceptions of charities and community groups are shifting.…
Posted on 06 Jun 2024
By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
While the cost-of-living crunch continues to bite many Australians, charity donations may have finally emerged from a post-pandemic slump according to new research.
The latest data from online giving platform GiveNow has revealed average donation amounts were up 5% between January and April this year compared to the same period in 2023.
The data showed that while donor numbers remained stable, the amount of money people were giving had increased.
GiveNow executive director Cathy Truong said significantly, the average number of large donations (above $5,000) surged 30% in May compared to the same period the previous year.
“While May is traditionally a good pre-curser to increased giving activity in June ahead of the end of the financial year, the average value of these larger donations has ballooned by more than 37%,” she said.
The GiveNow research comes as the ACNC released the 10th edition of its annual Charities Report that showed Australians donated a record $203 billion in the 2022 reporting period – a 5.6% increase on the previous year.
The ACNC report also revealed the good news was tempered by a $22 billion increase in expenses incurred by charities – a rise of more than 12%.
“So, whilst there is unsettled (donor) behaviour due to the cost of everyday food and household bills, there is confidence from these older, more established supporters to donate again."
Ms Truong said while the ACNC report contains valuable insights, it was a moment in time snapshot of the state of play in 2022.
“Our analysis is very much a real time indication of giving trends, which I think are looking increasingly positive,” she said.
Ms Truong said the lingering impact of the pandemic combined with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis had made a severe dent in many people’s capacity to donate to worthy causes in late 2022 and 2023.
“I think these two factors were very unsettling for many Australians and as a consequence, 2023 was not a good year for donations to charity.”
Ms Truong said not all Australians were experiencing the cost-of-living crisis in the same way, however.
“I think in 2024 we are seeing that the cost-of-living crisis is a two-speed experience,” she said.
“While young people, especially those in 20s and 30s with young families and a mortgage or renting are hurting, many people over 50 at the moment are luckier in the current circumstance as they are not subject to the same level of mortgage stress.”
Ms Truong said it is this older demographic who are often the ones who are committed donors to community organisations.
“So, whilst there is unsettled (donor) behaviour due to the cost of everyday food and household bills, there is confidence from these older, more established supporters to donate again.
“I think that’s a trend that should be embraced by community organisations.”
Posted on 23 Jul 2024
A new report has found that community perceptions of charities and community groups are shifting.…
Posted on 22 Jul 2024
As an associate commissioner with the Productivity Commission, Krystian Seibert played a key role…
Posted on 18 Jul 2024
The federal government has finally made the Productivity Commission report into philanthropy public.
Posted on 17 Jul 2024
Charities Minister Andrew Leigh was put on the spot this month in ICDA’s quarterly newscast, the…
Posted on 16 Jul 2024
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has released a new tool designed to…
Posted on 16 Jul 2024
Advocacy is emerging as a key strategy used by charities and not-for-profits to engage with donors,…
Posted on 03 Jul 2024
Proposed federal government electoral reforms could disproportionately affect the ability of…
Posted on 02 Jul 2024
Controversial new tax reporting requirements for not-for-profits came into effect this week.
Posted on 02 Jul 2024
Opposition charities spokesman Senator Dean Smith will today introduce draft legislation in federal…
Posted on 06 Jun 2024
While the cost-of-living crunch continues to bite many Australians, charity donations may have…
Posted on 22 May 2024
Charities Minister Andrew Leigh has called out pushy fundraisers who target elderly Australians too…
Posted on 21 May 2024
Almost as diverse as people’s motivations and capacities to give to charity are the innovative ways…