Community & Arts

Aged care providers in Western Australia have expressed concern that the federal government’s latest funding package, which allocates $1.5 billion towards aged care over the next five years, may leave some providers worse off due to financial restructurin

Fundraising by not-for-profit groups in Western Australia is about to be subject to greater regulation, with the drafting of a new bill to improve accountability in the sector.

Volunteering makes a significant contribution to the national economy, worth between $35 billion and $50 billion a year and equal to 5 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product.

Pressure to consolidate is one of the major issues facing small agencies in the not-for-profit sector, driven largely by government funding strategies and corporate sponsors’ preference for brand names.

Commercial players are not alone in facing a shortage of office space in the CBD as a result of the state’s economic boom, with the not-for-profit sector also struggling to deal with rising rental rates and the space squeeze.

The WA Association for the Blind is approaching the final stages of building a new $15.4 million facility for the blind or vision impaired, to be located on the organisation’s existing land in Victoria Park.

Rebranding may be an expensive exercise for many in the not-for-profit sector, but some organisations have recognised a clear cost benefit for doing so.

Competition for the fundraising dollar is fierce in Western Australia’s prosperous economic climate, with not-for-profit organisations having to think creatively in their fight for a piece of the pie.

Demand is mounting from some industry sectors for the allocation of additional places in education and training courses as the skills shortage bites businesses statewide.