Safe donation guidelines for ECEC services looking to contribute cash to fire recovery

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) recently shared a list of registered charities, via the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, to support early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, and other interested parties, who wish to safely and effectively make tax deductible donations to various bushfire appeals.

The initiative is in response to the difficulty for many in identifying charities and fundraisers with the capacity to deliver relief and whose focus is on bushfire relief or recovery. 

Compiled at the request of Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, the list is a collaboration between the ACNC, the Australian Taxation Office and Treasury to help Australians identify credible bushfire appeals to donate to. 

Dr Gary Johns, ACNC Commissioner, said that while the strong national and international response to the bushfire disaster is “very heartening” , it “is important to give to legitimate charities with bushfire appeals and avoid scams”.

He cautioned that the list is by no means exclusive, rather a simple list for those who are wishing to make donations, but are  unsure of how to identify a credible appeal. 

“This makes identifying a registered charity easier. However, there will be a range of activities throughout the relief and recovery process that will need charitable support, and people should keep this in mind when donating,” Dr Johns added.

Those services who wish to donate to a charity should check the charity’s details on the ACNC Charity Register. To confirm if their chosen charity has tax deductible status, they can access the ABN link on a charity’s record. 

“Donating directly to a registered charity is the best way to ensure that your donation is going to that charity and supporting your chosen cause,” Dr Johns said. 

For further hints, tips and information about supporting children, families and communities during this challenging time, please see here.