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    CAF Media Releases and Articles

     

    Financial downturn hits charity donors

    2 July 2009

    The economic downturn is severely cutting in to structured philanthropic programs at the time they are needed more than ever to support those in need.

    “The people receiving financial support before this economic crisis, both in Australia and internationally, are dramatically feeling the impact of this downturn more than most,” says Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Australia CEO, Duncan Power.

    CAF is part of an international not-for-profit consultancy that advises and manages the transfer of donor funds to community and charitable not-for-profit agencies. In 2008 CAF Australia distributed over $20 million to 1,000 charities on behalf of donors.

    “As a leader in the establishment and management of private Foundations and PPF’s (Prescribed Private Funds) in Australia we are recording a substantial reduction in philanthropic funding – noticeably from high net worth individuals,” says Mr Power.

    “We are aware that many Foundations are heavily funded by returns from investments and shares – two areas particularly hit hard in this existing market.”

    “This combines with the startling poverty figures released by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund that 90 million more people will fall into extreme poverty because of this global economic shutdown,” added Mr Power.

    Mr Power says that while many Foundations/ PPF’s continue to distribute funds to community and charitable not-for-profits, cash flow into them has slowed dramatically – in some cases it has stopped.  This could result in a reduction in donations to the community in coming years until these Foundations re-build and generate greater income.

    “Interestingly, CAF receipts show that that funds donated by employees through Workplace Payroll Giving programs run by the organisation are holding relatively firm.

    ‘This might indicate that those with jobs are appreciating the pressure being placed on those without weekly incomes,” said Mr Power.

     

    Workplace Payroll Giving - the results are clear

    3 March 2009

    One of Australia's leading businessmen Mr David Gonski has expressed sadness at the wind-back of corporate giving programs in tough economic times. He urged employers to respond to growing community needs not to cut back such programs and where possible partner with their employees in payroll giving programs.

    Mr Gonski, chair of Coca Cola-Amatil, the Australian Stock Exchange and board director for the Centre for Social Impact said, "The concept that companies are dropping all or part of their support for community benefit activities because of the economic outlook is very sad." read more »» 

    The Age: 3 March 2009. Business News Article, Page 2

    Charities Aid Foundation in Government Workplace Giving Initiative

    29 August 2005

    Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has joined a personal initiative of Prime Minister John Howard to introduce more Australians to Workplace Giving.

    A national awareness and support program was launched this week by the Federal Government. CAF was invited to join the Prime Ministers Community Business Partnership to advise and develop Workplace Giving programs through Australian business.read more »»

    StrataPay working with CAF and the community

    24 August 2005

    Queensland based Company, StrataPay, has been working with Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) to provide an automated "Payroll Giving" system to process payroll giving donations in Australia . The solution will further reduce CAF’s administration costs enabling them to provide even greater benefits to the charitable sector.

    The StrataPay solution, delivered to CAF with no capital outlay enables the outsourcing of processes such as collecting and reconciling donations and dispersing grants. CAF will be able to re-focus on its core services, bringing donors and the community sector together for mutual benefit. read more »»

    Australians Embrace Payroll Giving

    15 December 2003

    Australians are taking steps to reverse their historically low levels of charitable giving, with thousands now making regular donations from their monthly pay, according to a leading charity organisation.

    Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Executive Director Duncan Power said Australians had embraced the concept of payroll giving, following a ruling by the Australian Tax Office 18 months ago allowing employees to make donations from their pre-tax pay. read more »»

    New Tax Incentive for Donations to Charities

    19 July 2002 for immediate release

    In a ground breaking move the Australian Tax Office has announced a variation to withholding tax for donors making ongoing donations from their pay to charities with deductible gift recipient status (through Gazette S 251).

    Under the new ruling employees whose employers endorse the variation, can receive an immediate tax benefit thanks to reduced tax being withheld from their pay. read more »»

    Pre-tax Donations for Payroll Giving

    18 July 2002

    CAF Australia recently announced that a decision from the Australian Taxation Office will now give employees throughout Australia the opportunity to give to their favourite charity through their payroll, receiving an immediate tax benefit.

    Assistant Commissioner of Taxation, Megan Yong gazetted the ruling on 2nd July 2002 allowing a variation to the amount of withholding payment. read more »»

     
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