Media Release
COMMUNITY GROUPS PREFER SUPPORT OVER DOLLARS - SURVEY
COMMUNITY GROUPS PREFER SUPPORT OVER DOLLARS - SURVEY
State of the Community Survey Findings Announced
MEDIA RELEASE - June 6, 2005
MORE COMMUNITY groups would prefer
people to join their group as a member, serve on the Board, contribute
to lobbying efforts or sign up as a volunteer than give money, a survey
of community organisations has found.
The State of the
Community 2005 survey, which was run as a lead-in to this week's
Communities in Control conference, found that 33 per cent of
respondents would prefer the community help them to lobby for support
to achieve their mission compared to just 21 per cent who said they
would prefer them to give more money.
A total of 28 per cent of respondents said that helping through
volunteering was the best thing the community could do to support its
work while the same number nominated offering to join the Board or
committee of management as the most useful way people could help.
A further 26 per cent said the community could best help the
organisation by becoming a member and 22 per cent said offering pro
bono services.
The survey, which was run by ourcommunity.com.au, an online resource
for Australia's 700,000 community and non-profit groups, also found the
vast majority of community groups had been unaffected by the massive
$315 million donated by the Australian public to Tsunami-related
appeals.
The survey found 60 per cent of respondents reported the Tsunami had
not affected their fundraising, while a further 27 per cent said they
didn't know the impact. Less than 10 per cent of groups said the wave
of donations to Tsunami appeals had impacted negatively on their
fundraising.
The survey of over 350 community group representatives also found:
- 49 per cent of groups said State/Territory Government grants were
their primary source of funding while 27 per cent nominated federal
funding. Other major forms of fundraising were local government grants
(19 per cent), membership fees (15 per cent), fees and charges (17 per
cent) and individual donations (12 per cent). Grants from philanthropic
foundations were nominated as the primary source of funding for just
3.4 per cent of groups.
- Lack of funding was nominated by 44 per cent of groups as the
biggest challenge facing their organisation while almost 21 per cent
nominated the lack of cohesion between various levels of government, 19
per cent nominated difficulties in gaining a public profile and 19 per
cent nominated lack of influence over public policy.
- The finances of most respondent groups are in good shape, with 84
per cent of describing them as "OK", "Good" or "Excellent". Worryingly,
16 per cent described their finances as "Weak" or "Awful", with 9 per
cent saying they often needed to run emergency fundraising activities
and 6 per cent saying they were wondering if they would survive the
year.
- Asked what the community group needed to be more effective in
their work, 46 per cent of groups nominated more funding while almost
27 per cent said they needed a higher public profile, 20 per cent said
they needed more and better partnerships with business and 19 per cent
said they needed more political clout.
- While 65 per cent of respondents said they believed their Board
or committee of management was fulfilling its fiduciary duties and 63
per cent said the Board was doing a good job of being accountable to
stakeholders, 37 per cent said their Board had never conducted a
self-evaluation to determine if they were doing a good job.
The CEO of ourcommunity.com.au, Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, said she wasn't
surprised that community groups would take volunteers or active
participants before a straight one-off donation.
"There's no doubt community groups always need more money but the
reality is if they can build support and build memberships, the money
will come from that wider network that they have to fundraise into," Dr
Galbally said.
"The difference is that groups want YOU - not just your money. They
want you to be active, to participate in the life of the group and if
people love the group and the work it does, they will support it
financially."
Dr Galbally said it was pleasing that after showing incredible
generosity in their support of the various Tsunami appeals, Australians
were continuing to support the groups they love and respect in their
own communities.
"It's really encouraging particularly because in the lead-up to the end
of financial year, it is traditionally the busiest time for donations
to community groups. Hopefully this is a sign that people are prepared
to show their support for groups. "
There are currently more than 545 community appeals listed on the
Australian Giving Centre, the free online donations service on
www.ourcommunity.com.au/donations
which is supported by the Westpac Bank.
The Communities in Control conference, co-convened by
ourcommunity.com.au and Centacare Catholic Family Services, is being
held at Moonee Valley Racecourse on June 6-7.
For comment on the State of the
Community 2005 Survey please contact Brett de Hoedt on 0414 713 802
Brian Walsh on 0411 22 7585 or Rhonda Galbally on 0419 399 655.
(All three will be at the Communities in Control conference on Monday,
June 6 and Tuesday, June 7).
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