Charities are stretched and need our support this festive season
Cost-of-living pressures mean more people turning to charities for help
Donation levels have almost flatlined, rising only half a per cent in real terms
As donations flatline, Australians urged to dig deep this festive season – and stay scam savvy
The nation’s charity regulator is asking us to dig deep this festive season, with official data showing donations have almost flatlined.
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner Sue Woodward AM said charities need our support as they try to meet higher community demand.
“Cost‑of‑living pressures mean more people are turning to charities for help. But sadly, some are being turned away because resources are so stretched,” Ms Woodward said.
“Our latest Australian Charities Report showed donations have almost flatlined, rising by less than half a per cent in real terms.
“At this time of year, in the spirit of the season, we are encouraging people to dig deep and make a donation if they can.
“Unfortunately, we also need to sound a note of caution. We know there are scammers out there ready to exploit people’s generosity.
“They pretend they are collecting money on behalf of a charity when they’re not. They may call, email, or approach you on the street seeking donations.”
Scamwatch calculates $1.4 million in losses to fake charity scams officially reported in the past five years ─ and the real figure is likely much higher, as many victims don’t report being scammed. Phone calls, online and email were the top contact methods used.
“We strongly advise that you check the Charity Register before you donate to confirm if an organisation is real and registered. If it is on the Register, you can be confident that it submits required core information about its work to us as the regulator, so it is transparent and accountable.
“Click through to the charity’s website from the Register and find out how to donate there. That is much safer than clicking on links in unsolicited texts or emails, or providing your details to a caller you don’t know, and who may not be who they say they are.”
The ACNC recommends that before you donate, you:
- Look up a charity’s contact details on the Charity Register
- Click on the charity’s website link on the Register, and find out how to donate there
- Don’t click on links in text messages, social media posts or emails
- Don’t tell callers your banking details, your name or any other personal details.
Scamwatch, led by the National Anti-Scam Centre, has more tips on how to avoid scams.
There are around 65,000 registered charities on the ACNC Charity Register.
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