As front-line workers in the charitable sector, you’re no doubt aware of the fall in giving in Australia over the past few years, as a result of natural disasters and the global pandemic we are still very much experiencing.
But, as JBWere point out in their latest Charitable Giving Index Report with NAB, which examines giving in Australia, “a significant recovery in giving commenced around December 2020 and should propel giving levels back to previous record levels for 2021/2022”.
They also looked at the changes in income and the balance sheet of each cause area over the five years of ACNC data from 2014 to 2019 and the growing reliance on Government funding, which is expected to have accelerated in 2020 and 2021 when data is compiled.
Their key highlights from the report:
- Both total sector income and donations grew by 60% from 2014 to 2019 although self-earned income growth was slower and Government funding grew at a faster rate.
- While the annual falls in giving due to COVID were modest at 3% and 4% in 2020 and 2021, measured against past trends, the income loss was almost $1 billion per year.
- Giving to Health has fared best through COVID while Animal protection has also held up well post the bushfire support of 2019/20. Good recoveries have also been seen in giving to culture and arts, environment and religion while other causes have seen only modest improvements.
- The only States/Territories to be back at previous highs for donations are Tasmania and the ACT while South Australia and Western Australia have lagged in their giving recovery.
- Regional giving has significantly closed the gap on metro support during 2021.
You can read the full report here.
We know from our decades of experience working with for-purpose organisations, building their capacity, that a strategic approach to grant seeking is a critical component of any diverse fundraising strategy. And even though the sector continues to face challenges, we know from our funder friends that they are still committed to supporting the sector through grants. If you need any support with your grants strategy, please reach out – we’d love to help.