Community Business Partnership Annual Report Released
12 April 2016 at 4:31 pm
The first annual report of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership has been released outlining its current work and the priorities for 2016, including a review of deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.
The partnership’s annual report also sets its future direction saying: “The priorities for the coming year include identifying ways to reduce red tape, increase workplace giving, make greater use of technology and build social impact investing.”
The report said the partnership would explore the deductible gift recipient framework and whether it is meeting 21st century needs.
“In particular it will consider the challenges of gaining DGR status and whether DGR status enables whole-of-community approaches to addressing entrenched disadvantage,” the report said.
Donors can only claim a tax deduction on donations made to organisations with DGR status, which is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office.
“The partnership will continue to work with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) to eliminate burdensome red tape and streamline sector regulatory approaches, for example harmonising fundraising regulation and cutting red tape for volunteers.”
Last month the Federal Government decided to keep the national charity regulator, the ACNC, after almost two years of speculation.
As the partnership’s Deputy Chair, Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the annual report was a valuable record of the partnership’s key achievements in advancing Australia’s culture of giving.
“The partnership unites business and community leaders in its core mission: advising government on strategies to promote philanthropic giving, volunteering and investment in Australia,” Porter said.
“Since it was established in October 2014, the partnership’s record of achievement has afforded it a positive profile among the community and business sectors.
“As the annual report outlines, the partnership’s first 12 months was characterised by engagement and consultation with people from community, government and business sectors; the generation of ideas and innovation through the Partnership’s three working groups; and research.
“A highlight of this activity was the inaugural Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week from 7-13 December, 2015, which shone a light on successful community-philanthropic partnerships.
“The partnership commissioned five research projects in 2015 – representing over $2 million in government investment – to better understand trends, innovation and best practice in the volunteering and philanthropic sectors.
“One of these projects, Giving Australia, takes a ‘deep dive’ into what motivates Australians to volunteer and give.
“The findings from this largest ever research project into our philanthropic behaviour, due later 2016, will inform future policy. And it will ultimately help people, organisations and communities across Australia.”
View the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership 2015 Annual Report here.
