Raising money is usually necessary for community and not-for-profit organisations, especially when trying to run or support volunteering activities. It can be challenging to find funding, but it is a positive task that can be shared throughout your organisation.
There are many methods of fundraising, but before you start check if you need a
fundraising licence from the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner. The two types of fundraising licences available in South Australia are a:
More information about licences can be found on the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner website.
On this page you will find information about:
Community and business partnerships
Sponsorship
Memberships
Grants
Donations and Bequests
Appeals
Workplace giving
Special events
Fetes and festivals
Collection tins
Raising money for one-off needs
Lotteries and raffles
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Community and business partnerships
When community organisations and businesses collaborate to form partnerships, both parties benefit.
The different types of collaboration can include:
- mutual volunteering opportunities
- financial donations
- free or discounted services or products
- mentoring opportunities
- scholarships.
Information about the
benefits of partnerships and has some resources to get you started. The Our Community website offers more
The
Corporates4Communities program matches volunteers from business or government with community organisations requiring particular skills.
More information is available through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website.
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Sponsorship
Sponsorship is a form of financial or product support that is generally provided by a corporate organisation or business in return for exposure of its brand.
The Office for Volunteers has developed:
Help sheets about
sponsorship can be found on the Our Community website.
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Memberships
Memberships have many benefits – organisations can raise money while connecting with people who are interested in their aims, programs or services. Memberships provide a revenue stream for the organisations that can be used to support operational costs and growth.
Membership programs can also be called Friends-of or in the education sector an Alumni. More
information on memberships is provided on the Our Community website.
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Grants
A grant is a means of financial assistance awarded to an individual or organisation to help with things such as:
- developing or running a community program
- study or career development
- research
- developing solutions to problems
- funding ideas and initiatives
- assistance in times of hardship
Grants are usually competitive and each grant will have different eligibility rules.
Help sheets about
grants and how to get them can be found on the Our Community website. For more information see the page on
Grants for community organisations.
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Donations and Bequests
Organisations can appeal for donations from the general public or from businesses to support their programs or individual efforts. Donations may not necessarily be confined to money but can also include goods and services, such as perishable and non-perishable items, blankets, computers or specialised labour skills.
Cash donations to volunteer organisations are generally tax-deductible which adds a further incentive for a person or group to make a contribution. Organisations will need to register for
deductible gift recipient (DGR) status through the Australian Taxation Office for this benefit to apply.
Your organisation may need a licence to collect donations. For
more information, go to the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner website.
Organisations can also be the recipients of bequests. Bequests are gifts of money or property as a result of someone’s will.
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Appeals
A fundraising appeal involves soliciting money, goods, property or other benefits from the public, to support an organisation for a charitable purpose, or for a charitable objective.
Appeals can take many forms – for example, donations, sponsorships, telethons, lotteries, competitions, the supply of food or entertainment.
Information on things to think about before
starting an appeal can be found on the Our Community website. You may need a licence to host an appeal. For
more information on licences visit the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner website.
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Workplace giving
A
workplace giving program enables employees to make regular donations to eligible charities through their payroll system.
Employers and their staff can choose to donate to any organisation they like, as long as it is eligible to receive tax-deductible gifts. This means that it must have
deductible gift recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Taxation Office.
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Special events
A special event will generally be a distinct and planned event of community, cultural or sporting significance. Special events can be used by organisations as a fundraising opportunity or to help raise the profile and promote the organisation’s functions.
Help sheets about
hosting special events can be found on the Our Community website.
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Fetes and festivals
Fetes and festivals are a great way for organisations and community groups to raise money.
Help sheets about
hosting fetes and festivals can be found on the Our Community website.
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Collection tins
The use of collections tins can be a cost-effective way for organisations to raise money. Tins can be left in strategic locations or they can be used for street collections.
Tips on where organisations can buy or hire
collection tins is provided on the Our Community website.
You may need a licence to collect donations using collection tins. For
more information visit the Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner website.
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Raising money for one-off needs
Raising money for a specific one-off event such as to send an individual or group of people interstate or overseas can be a difficult task, especially if the timeframe is tight.
Even if this may not seem difficult, you will still need to be satisfied that you are going about it the right way.
Suggestions to help volunteer organisations when it comes to
raising funds for one-off needs can be found on the Our Community website.
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Lotteries and raffles
In South Australia any not-for-profit organisation needs a licence to conduct lotteries and raffles. For more information visit the
Office of the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner website.
More detailed information about an organisation's
legal obligations for other fundraising activities including bingo lotteries and raffles is available on the Australian Taxation Office website.
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More information
On this site
Collections for charitable purposesLegal considerations for the volunteer sectorVolunteer managementResources for community organisations