Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) invests $4.5 million in better governance and free news service for not-for-profits

Our Community will remove Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) membership fees from July 1, a move valued at $4 million per annum. ICDA will also introduce a free sector news service, costing Our Community around $500,000-a-year.

ICDA is an Our Community enterprise that provides credentials, education and practical tools for the army of mostly voluntary directors who power Australia’s 600,000 not-for-profits, and the senior staff who work alongside them. ICDA was launched in 2014 and has since become Australia’s leading provider of governance education and support for not-for-profits.

Our Community founder and group managing director Denis Moriarty AM said the move to waive ICDA fees and introduce a fee-free news service was in line with Our Community’s mission to “build stronger communities through stronger community organisations”, and with the company’s constitution, which states: "commercial imperatives are afforded equal priority to our social mission, our commitment to employees, and our responsibility to the environment in which we work".

“We have made this decision to ensure that all 600,000 Australian community organisations have the opportunity to be supported in their quest to improve their organisations, their communities and our country,” Mr Moriarty said.

“Many not-for-profit organisations are doing it tough right now, with an increase in operating costs occurring amidst ballooning demand for services and a drop in volunteering. Providing free memberships and a free news service for the sector ensures that those organisations working to create strong, vibrant, inclusive, supportive communities do not have to compromise on capacity.”

Members of ICDA get access to:

• An ICDA membership certificate
• A range of online resources, including a free Policy Bank, a board vacancy advertisement board, and dozens of free help sheets
• Recognition as a “responsible person” under Australian Taxation Office rules, subject to agreeing to abide by the ICDA Code of Ethics
• Free and heavily discounted educational and networking opportunities
• Two regular newsletters:
  • Community Directors Intelligence, providing capacity building and learning support for directors and other not-for-profit leaders
  • The Community Advocate, a news service from Our Community’s team of journalists, focused on vital not-for-profit sector news.