AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES 1999

A resurgent culture of giving in Australia is evident in the release of our Australian charities - funding analysis and trends survey.

Givewell publishes this survey as part of its ongoing analysis of the financial statements of Australian-based charities. It is based on the 1999 financial statements of 476 fundraising organisations with a combined total income of in excess of $5 billion. The survey covers a large range of organisations and causes from across Australia, and includes most major charities as well as a representative sample of smaller organisations.

The analysis confirms a three-year trend of improved funding, and suggests that Australians continue to give more than ever to charity. Figures for 1999 show significant increases in government funding, fundraising and bequests that far exceed the current levels of inflation, economic growth or wages growth. Income from services and fees grew a more modest 2%.

The proportion of government funding (federal, state and local) also increased. In general, faith based charities and aged care organisations fared well in terms of increased government support. Increases were also skewed towards large organisations and those that were already successful in attracting government funding.

Conservation and environment organisations have captured public attention with a massive increase in fundraising. Other categories that fared well include children's charities, medical support and overseas aid. Major appeals were well supported and child sponsorship continues to grow.

Over 18 pages of commentary, tables and graphs the report answers the following types of questions (in addition to issues discussed in last years report): -

1. To what extent are "faith-based" welfare organisations dependent on government funding and did they have a successful year in fundraising?
2. What categories are more successful than others at fundraising?
3. Which signature appeals were more successful?
4. What trends are emerging for bequest income?
5. To what extent are large fundraising organisations more efficient at fundraising?
6. What macro factors affect the level of government funding a charity receives?
7. To what extent are improvements in funding being spent in current year programs?
8. How do charities invest their surplus funds?

And more…..representing more than 230 items of the most up to date statistics from our database.

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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