AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES 2001

Givewell’s survey of Australian Charities for the year ending 2001 confirms that Australia’s charities are in a sound state of financial health, following long-term increases in fundraising, government funding and commercial income.

Givewell’s fourth annual survey confirms the trend of improved financial health for Australia’s major fundraising organisations from 1998 to 2001. Highlights of our previous surveys have included:

1998 - an awakening culture of giving in Australia, with fundraising income up by 7%.
1999 - a significant increase in government funding to the charitable sector of 14% as governments outsourced programs and increased policy focus on welfare, employment, environment and disability services.
2000 - on-going and sustained increases in fundraising (up 16%). Charities beginning to focus on diversifying income and investment sources.

This year’s survey confirms these trends, and also indicates their spread to a larger number of organisations across a greater range of causes. Key findings of the report for the 4-Year period include:

Giving up by an average of 8% pa.
Government funding up by an average of 10% pa.
Bequests up by an average of 3% pa.
Net Assets up by an average of 7% pa.
Greater diversification of investment assets by charities, including recent increases of 25% and 15% in amounts held in managed investments and shares respectively.
A more even spread of income sources, including fundraising, government funding, investment income, fees for service and a range of other types of commercial income.
Increases in giving to causes such as Aged Care and Mental Illness, which have previously been considered to be difficult causes for which to raise money.

The survey on the sector covers the year 2001 financial statements of 453 Australian charities including Mission Australia, the Salvation Army, World Vision, the Cancer Councils and Guide Dog Associations, as well as a representative sample of smaller organisations across all cause categories. The findings demonstrate that charities have become better financed organisations, and that this has coincided with an increasingly strong management culture and more developed business practices.

The information contained in the report represents the most up-to-date statistics from the Givewell database, providing an invaluable snapshot of the state of the charitable sector in Australia. This information is ideal for anyone developing benchmarks, constructing a budget or strategic plan, or playing an active role with government and other key influencers.

The full survey is available to subscribers to the Givewell Research Centre.

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