To help people looking to donate safely and effectively, the National Bushfire Recovery Agency has published a list of registered charities that accept tax deductible donations and are running bushfire appeals, the ACNC reports.
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.
The list was compiled at the Prime Minister’s request by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC), the Australian Taxation Office and Treasury to help Australians identify credible bushfire appeals to donate to.
ACNC Commissioner the Hon Dr Gary Johns said, “We have had a strong response nationally and internationally to the bushfire disaster which is very heartening. But it is important to give to legitimate charities with bushfire appeals and avoid scams. This list helps people easily identify charities with bushfire appeals.”
He added: “This is not to say that you should only give to charities on this list. This is simply a list for people who want to make tax deductible 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.”
People who want 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.
To avoid known scams people should check with the ACCC’s Scamwatch.
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Safe giving made easier by list of verified charities provided by regulators (ACNC)
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