Workplace giving should be a better source of income for not-for-profit organisations in Australia. However for some reason it has had a very slow take-up rate in Australia.

According to the Australian Charities Fund (ACF) it has facilitated only $75 million to over 180 charities through its entire workplace giving program.

From the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) we know that in 2010, 100,000 employees donated $28 million via 2850 employers. We can estimate employers donated $12 million in matching donations, resulting in over $40 million for the charity sector from workplace giving programs.

The great benefit of workplace giving is employees donate through payroll, in pre-tax dollars and enjoy immediate tax benefits. For the charity the great benefit is that much of the funds are untied – and as such can be used on a range of key and vital projects. It also greatly reduces their fundraising and administrative costs.

If just 10 per cent of working Australians made a payroll donation of $5 per week, the community would benefit by over $260 million each year.

Garvan has been very fortunate to have some great workplace giving partners and a growing program. To enhance it further I have decided to develop a new publication just on this important topic.

The result from our existing partners has been extremely positive. They have appreciated the recognition we are giving them as a good corporate citizen and it is also an easy way for them to update all their employees on the great work being done by one of the charities they are supporting.

When everyone else is down and out, when the organisation needs to be taken up to the next level, it is the CEO who needs to be standing strong and leading the charge. This presentation will focus on an analysis of the key roles of leadership in the not-for-profit sector, how we as an industry can nurture these skills and how boards and organisations can support and develop their Chief Enthusiasm Officers.

(Presentation given at Fundraising Institute of New Zealand 2014 Conference: 11th April 2014)