According to the figures from the Australian Tax Office in 2013, around 38 per cent of taxpayers gave an average of $461 each to charity.
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A total of $6.8 billion was donated to Australian charities in 2014.
With this widespread support and high trust in the charity sector, almost nine in 10 Australians are giving to charity every year.
So where does all this money actually go? And how do you choose where you can donate and be sure of where your money is going?
Almost nine in 10 Australians are giving to charity every year.
A survey by CHOICE Magazine found that 81 per cent of Australians weren’t sure of how much of their money reached a charity’s beneficiaries, and 90 per cent of respondents said they wanted to know. And with allegations of misused funds in charities, people should and will always want to know where their money is really going.
One of the biggest concerns people raise about donating to charity is whether their money is going towards the cause the charity is set up for.
Charities may reach their destinations in different ways. For big organisations, some of the funds may be used for administration costs such as marketing and management.
Other fundraisers may be organised so that the money directly reaches its designed cause, such as the recent Trinity Timor Leste immersion trip.
It must be noted, some funds never reach the cause they are supposedly set up for. Misuse of charity money can come in many forms, from pocketing cash to misusing credit cards. But charity fraud is a rare occurrence and can be avoided.
Cautions should be taken to ensure your money is going to the right place. Consider approaching charity organisations directly to make a donation or offer support.
Check the organisation’s name and look them up. Legitimate charities are registered so check an organisation’s credentials on the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) website to see if they are an authentic charity.
For genuine charities, every cent counts. They are set up and run by people who want to make a positive difference in the world and this goal inspires public trust and support. Charities ultimately enrich our society.