
New app key to alleviating homelessness
Posted on 24 Jun 2025
An Australian-first crisis accommodation app created via an innovative collaboration between the…
Posted on 25 Jun 2024
By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
Australians are demanding more accountability from charities in how they use donors’ funds while simultaneously cutting back on how much they give.
A new study by the philanthropy-focused not-for-profit Giving What We Can and the University of Queensland revealed that eight out of ten people had cut back on charitable giving because of the cost-of-living crisis.
More than 90% of those surveyed as part of the research project said they were more likely to donate to charities that demonstrated clear, measurable outcomes.
The findings reinforce a growing trend in which donors are demanding more transparency, measurable impact and accountability from charities and NFPs.
Founded at Oxford University in 2009, Giving What We Can is a global philanthropy network whose members pledge to donate at least 10% of their income to charities deemed effective at achieving their purpose.
Giving What We Can executive director Luke Freeman said it was clear people wanted to ensure their donations made a real impact before parting with their money.
“Australians are increasingly aware of the importance of effective charitable giving and this survey highlights a significant shift in donor priorities towards transparency and measurable outcomes,” he said.
Mr Freeman said he believed the current challenging economic circumstances may be contributing to that awareness.
“While people may not have more to give this financial year, they can make their charitable donation go much further.”
Mr Freeman said charities needed to step up to the challenge and provide the accountability that donors want to see.
“This demand for transparency and measurable impact is a call to charities: prove your worth or risk losing support.
“The message is clear – Australians want their donations to count, and they are ready to pivot towards charities that can demonstrate real, tangible results.”
"As we begin to turn a corner on the cost-of-living crisis, with many Australians now believing that inflation and interest rates have peaked and tax cuts are coming, it's a critical moment to think about how we can use our good fortune to help others.”
The survey also revealed:
Mr Freeman said the survey also revealed a potential significant shift among donors to high-end philanthropy, with 87% of those surveyed expressing a willingness to switch their donations to highly effective charities.
"As we begin to turn a corner on the cost-of-living crisis, with many Australians now believing that inflation and interest rates have peaked and tax cuts are coming, it's a critical moment to think about how we can use our good fortune to help others,” he said.
“Australia is often referred to as 'the lucky country' and for good reason: most Australians are among the top one to three per cent highest earners on the planet.
“With that luck comes an opportunity to support those who are less fortunate."
Charities Minister Andrew Leigh said providing more information to donors aligned with the federal government’s target to double philanthropy by 2030.
“That means inspiring existing donors to give more and encouraging more people to become charitable givers,” said Dr Leigh.
“Providing more information about the effectiveness of philanthropy is sure to boost both the quantity and quality of donations.”
Posted on 24 Jun 2025
An Australian-first crisis accommodation app created via an innovative collaboration between the…
Posted on 24 Jun 2025
Combining science with compassion can help build a better world for pets and the people who love…
Posted on 24 Jun 2025
Just 29,000 not-for-profit organisations had lodged a self-review return for the 2023–24 financial…
Posted on 24 Jun 2025
An army of “citizen scientists” have helped identify the clearing of more than 90,000 hectares of…
Posted on 24 Jun 2025
Australia’s national charity regulator says her organisation is ready to accept another influx of…
Posted on 23 Jun 2025
Progress towards uniform national fundraising laws is welcome, but it needs to happen much faster,…
Posted on 23 Jun 2025
Young people under the age of 24 now represent more than 40 per cent of the Australian homeless…
Posted on 23 Jun 2025
The soul of a nation lives in the homes of its people. That’s why moving urgently to address…
Posted on 19 Jun 2025
A new partnership aims to give young refugees, migrants and asylum seekers who are trying to forge…
Posted on 17 Jun 2025
The solutions necessary to change the sector for the better are well known. It’s finding the money…
Posted on 17 Jun 2025
Donations to community organisations ahead of the end of the financial year have increased for the…
Posted on 17 Jun 2025
Ariella Weinmann uses her graphic design skills to help not-for-profits make the world a better…