CANBERRA has the highest percentage of donating taxpayers to total taxpayers, says Allan Williams, chair of the local philanthropic initiative, Hands Across Canberra.
He was commenting on the latest report from Queensland University of Technology’s Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies which analyses the statistics on tax-deductible donations in individual income tax returns.
“The report analyses tax returns in 2008-09 and shows that Canberrans were still very generous during challenging financial times. In 2008-09, we had the highest percentage of donating taxpayers to total taxpayers; 47.16 per cent compared to the national average of 37.83 per cent,” he says.
More than 105,000 individual ACT taxpayers made and claimed more than $49.93 million, with an average tax deductible donation of $471 compared to the national average of $450.
“However, on the whole, the report shows that for the first time on record, giving went down across the nation and the size of gifts were smaller, so there is no room for complacency,” Allan says. “The obvious explanation for the drop is the GFC, which was in full effect about the time these figures were recorded.
“For local community organisations, the report findings highlight the importance of making sure your organisation has an online presence and ability to receive donations in this competitive marketplace.
“Hands Across Canberra was launched in November to help local community service organisations do exactly that. There are already 58 organisations profiled on the website that people can donate to.
“The Giving Portal is an easy, secure way for people and businesses to give to local causes. It is also a way that we here in the region can learn more about who is in need, who is helping them and how we can all get involved.”
More information at handsacrosscanberra.org.au
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