CHARITABLE donations in Australia dropped by $253 million in the 2008-2009 financial year, from $2.35 billion in 2007-08, according to a report from the Queensland University of Technology’s Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies.
While the total sum donated dropped, the number of people donating increased in that financial year.
Investment services group Perpetual – one of the largest financial managers of private charitable foundations in Australia – said the statistics highlighted the need for more sustainable giving to support Australia’s not for profits during both good and bad economic times.
“Despite the increase in the number of Australians making donations, the total donated amount still dipped in this period. It is clear that it is not just a question of whether to give, but how much and how it is given,” Perpetual general manager of philanthropy Andrew Thomas said.
According to Mr Thomas, high net worth individuals can have the biggest impact on these statistics in the long run, with more than a third of the donations made in Australia during 2008-2009 contributed by fewer than 52,000 individuals.
“The amount they give is ultimately going to have the greatest impact, so it is important to get it right,” Mr Thomas said.
“Australians should be looking at ways they can make their charitable donations last longer and have greater impact.”