Western Australia's charity sector strongly relies on support from philanthropic donations to buoy significant projects that help make lives better for people in the state.
As the demand for maternity, child and adolescent healthcare at both Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital increases so does the number of Western Australian families who will find themselves needing to relocate to Perth – for days, weeks, months and at times years to access medical treatment.
Through impact reporting, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA is able to identify and better understand the wellbeing pressures that families experience both before and after a child is ill or injured, including emotional, financial, environmental and cultural factors.
In the latest report in 2023, 75 per cent of families reported that without RMHC WA their emotional wellbeing would have been poor or very poor, and around 72 per cent said they would have found their financial wellbeing difficult to manage or stressful.
The report also noted that 89 per cent of families agreed that staying at RMHC WA helped their family maintain a sense of their normal life and feel closer to each other.
In 2023, RMHC WA had a "very high impact" on the emotional and financial wellbeing of families staying at the House, with families experiencing a 31 per cent increase in their emotional wellbeing when staying at the House and a 21 per cent increase in financial wellbeing ratings from when they entered the House.
“When we analysed the wellbeing pressures impacting families with ill or injured children – alongside the WA Department of Health’s future modelling, which identified an increase in demand on the Western Australian maternity, child and adolescent health systems – what became apparent was the need for us to expand our core services to create long-term positive impact, not just for families but also regional communities and the health systems,” RMHC WA CEO Peter King said.
“By investing in impact reporting, we have a deeper understanding of the wellbeing challenges families face both before and after a child is ill or injured. With this understanding we’re able to work with philanthropic organisations to deliver targeted programs and services that look to alleviate these pressures,” he said.
“Our purpose-built impact framework strengthens our philanthropic relationships as a strong evidence base supports our strategic outcomes aligned to the intent of funding.”
Meaningful change
WA’s 20 largest philanthropic trusts donated $260 million in the year to June 2023, recent data compiled by Business News shows. The big donors are led by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation, the Channel 7 Telethon Trust and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.
Generous funding over five years from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, bolstered by support from the State Government and Lotterywest, is enabling transformative growth for Ronald McDonald House Charities WA’s supported accommodation program.
“What we have seen evolve in the philanthropic sector is the move to a structured strategic approach to giving, focusing on longer-term community impact,” Mr King said.
“We are very privileged to work with foundations and people throughout the community that enable organisations like ours to provide services that make a genuine difference in the lives of Western Australians.”
The new temporary Ronald McDonald House on Park, through the lease of a residential building at St Catherine’s College, is now live operational, enabling RMHC WA to accommodate an additional 50 families per night. An official opening of the House is set for 23 August 2024.
Ronald McDonald House on Park.
“The funding came at crucial time for the charity as it helped solve the immediate need for our essential service, while also garnering momentum for a permanent long-term solution,” Mr King said.
Foundation Chair Elizabeth Perron said, “The grant was also an important example of how ‘cornerstone’ funding can enable charities and not-for-profit organisations to attract additional government and philanthropic support.
“RMHC WA plays a unique role in supporting Western Australian families impacted by injury or illness, giving them a ‘home away from home’ and providing emotional and practical support during a stressful and challenging time,” Ms Perron said.
“The Foundation is proud to support RMHC WA as they work to meet the growing demand for their services to ensure that no family who needs their help is turned away.”
Generous support
Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara said over the past decade the food relief charity has seen “an increase in the divide between those that have and those that don't”.
“In a state as rich as Western Australia, the need for food relief is growing significantly,” Ms O’Hara commented. “We are seeing a two-speed economy become more and more a reality for too many.”
Interestingly, as the gap increases between the two groups there is also an increase in generosity across volunteering, donations, and community fundraising.
“Major donors and philanthropists continue to play a big part in supporting charities and have generally increased their contribution,” Ms O’Hara said.
“Smaller donors are also generous, giving what they can or undertaking an event or challenge to ask for donations for a cause close to their heart.”
Variety WA CEO Chris Chatterton said the generous support from donors and philanthropists helps to bolster the charity’s program delivery to make the lives of children across WA better.
“Variety is almost solely donor funded and philanthropic donations are fundamental to our organisation.
“The generous support we receive to administer programs such as EduKids and Variety Heart Scholarships are a testament to the compassion of motivated organisations and individuals,” Mr Chatterton said.
“We view our philanthropic relationships as vital partnerships with our donors who are passionate about a shared vision where no children have to miss out on support and equipment to achieve their full potential.
“In addition, the benefits of philanthropic support are not purely financial; very often the support includes increased visibility and helps raise awareness for the charity.”
