 |
 |
Project Spotlight
|
Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to give directly for this project.
Background Information: The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) is Australia’s oldest HIV charitable organisation. Founded in 1984 by the friends of Bobby Goldsmith, one of the first Australians to die from an AIDS-related illness, it supports the diverse needs of people living with HIV in New South Wales so they can maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. In its early years, BGF positioned itself primarily as a provider of financial assistance. However, as the nature of HIV has changed, so have the services that the Foundation needs to provide to its clients. BGF continues to care for those who are ill and live in poverty, but also helps others return to work and study, manage their finances and regain control of their lives. While the provision of financial assistance remains a key activity, the Foundation has seen an increasing demand on those services that help clients to improve their quality of life, plan for their future needs, develop a positive outlook and maintain their independence. Project Description: The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation’s Financial Counselling Program is a free and completely confidential service that provides information, support and advocacy for people living with HIV. For BGF’s clients, knowing how to manage their money is crucial because they are living on a fixed, low income. BGF’s Financial Counsellors help its clients to organise their finances so that they can establish and maintain a sustainable lifestyle. They are shown how to manage their money more effectively by working out a personal budget and reducing their expenses. They are also helped with more substantial and complex matters such as debt negotiation and management, bankruptcy, tenancy-related issues, superannuation advice and taxation matters. Improving clients’ financial management and cash flow, in turn, allows them to develop an increased sense of independence, control and self esteem. The Financial Counselling Service also manages BGF’s No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS®), which helps clients to improve their quality of life through interest-free loans. The loans can be used to purchase essential household items such as a fridge, television or washing machine. They can also be used for education and training. They are not provided for cash loans, paying credit card bills or for general living expenses. The NILS® Committee approves each loan on a case-by-case basis and repayments are deducted directly from Centrelink payments. Project Outcomes: All clients using BGF’s Financial Counselling Program report greatly reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression and a much improved quality of life. In 2007-08, 164 clients were provided with financial counseling and were granted NILS® with a total value of $98,604. This was an increase of over $18,000 from the previous year’s figures. NILS® provides credit for clients to purchase items they would otherwise have gone without. The longer-term benefit of the NILS® scheme is that it allows clients to develop both a sense of financial independence and the idea of planning for the future. Can donors/grant makers give directly for this project? Yes. If so, how? All donations over $2 are tax deductible and can be made via:
Ms Bev Lange, Chief Executive Officer Ph: (02) 9283 8666 Email: bev.lange@bgf.org.au Web: www.bgf.org.au Previous Project Spotlights
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |