Wendy Brooks & Partners

With the giving season fast approaching, it's time to prepare your fundraising strategies so that your organisation can get its piece of the giving pie.

In this webinar, Catherine Brooks, CEO at Wendy Brooks & Partners, will take you through the latest trends in giving, the market segments holding strong, and discuss why your organisation needs to think strategically about fundraising in the giving season.

Participants will discover what fundraising activities are not currently working in Australia and across the globe and will learn where to focus their efforts to ensure maximum rewards.

This webinar will take place live on:
Thursday 23 November 2023

Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Canberra: 1pm to 2pm
Adelaide: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Brisbane: 12 noon to 1pm
Darwin: 11.30am to 12.30pm
Perth: 10am to 11 am

Price:
Institute of Community Directors Australia members: $88 (inc GST)
Non-member price: $110 (inc GST)



https://communitydirectors.com.au/training-courses/fundraising-update?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Webinar%20Fundraising%20update&utm_content=Webinar%20Fundraising%20update+CID_9722faef2d78a32cdfdad9d0e99fd36a&utm_source=CampaignMonitor&utm_term=Register%20now

A specialist in the not-for-profit sector, Wendy Brooks & Partners, in collaboration with Law Squared and HLB Mann Judd, invites you to attend a practical training workshop on fundraising laws and governance.

Ensure your Board is equipped with the knowledge and skills to comply with fundraising obligations.
By the end of this session, you will learn more about the following:

• What the Board needs to know about your organisation’s fundraising strategy and activities to ensure compliance with fundraising laws.
• How to ensure compliance with your fundraising and reporting obligations.
• Reporting and fundraising requirements and exemptions for ACNC registered bodies.
• The implications of cross-border fundraising and applicable rules when you are seeking or receiving donations from multiple States / Territories.
• How to manage any money raised for regulatory compliance.
• Managing and safeguarding your online fundraising activities.
• Best practice for storing donor information in line with privacy laws.
• Top tips for ensuring that fundraising compliance when dealing with “vulnerable persons” (eg. People with disability etc).
• Fundraising policies, procedures, codes of conduct and best practice principles.
• How to swiftly deal with breaches of your fundraising policies and procedures to ensure
• compliance, maintain your good reputation and retain public trust.
• Maximising tax planning opportunities and adherence to compliance when Fundraising
• including:
o When are funds likely to be deductible for Donors. What happens if you provide something in return?
o GST implications when raising funds. When do you / do not need to include GST?
o Fringe Benefits Tax – how does it apply to benefits provided to volunteers, staff and contractors that help you with fundraising?
o What practical administration steps should be undertaken to ensure your staff and donors comply with tax laws and to optimise tax benefits for your donors.

Date: Wednesday, 1st November 2023
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (lunch provided)
Location: HLB Mann Judd,
Level 15, Central Plaza Two, 66 Eagle Street, Brisbane
Please RSVP via the link below by Friday, 27 October.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/fundraising-laws-and-governance-training-tickets-729994060887?aff=oddtdtcreator

In collaboration with Law Squared and HLB, Wendy Brooks and Partners invite you to attend one of our practical training workshops on fundraising laws and governance.
Ensure your Board has the knowledge and skills to comply with fundraising obligations.

By the end of this session, you will learn more about the following:

• What the Board needs to know about your organisation’s fundraising strategy and activities to ensure compliance with fundraising laws.
• How to ensure compliance with your fundraising and reporting obligations.
• Reporting and fundraising requirements and exemptions for ACNC registered bodies.
• The implications of cross-border fundraising and applicable rules when seeking or receiving donations from multiple States /Territories.
• How to manage any money raised for regulatory compliance.
• Managing and safeguarding your online fundraising activities.
• Best practice for storing donor information in line with privacy laws.
• Top tips for ensuring fundraising compliance when dealing with “vulnerable persons” (e.g. People with disability etc.).
• Fundraising policies, procedures, codes of conduct and best practice principles.
• How to swiftly deal with breaches of your fundraising policies and procedures to ensure compliance, maintain your good reputation and retain public trust.
• Maximising tax planning opportunities and adherence to compliance when Fundraising, including:
• When are funds likely to be deductible for Donors? What happens if you provide something in return?
• GST implications when raising funds. When do you / do not need to include GST?
• Fringe Benefits Tax – how does it apply to benefits provided to volunteers, staff and contractors that help you with fundraising?
• What practical administration steps should be undertaken to ensure your staff and donors comply with tax laws and to optimise tax benefits for your donors?

Date: Thursday, 15 June 2023
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (lunch provided)
Location: Law Squared Office
Level 21, 114 William Street, Melbourne
Please RSVP via [email protected] by Monday, 29 May, and include any dietaries in your response.

It’s been a busy 12 months for charities and not-for-profits: member disputes continue to arise, regulatory and compliance changes continue to come thick and fast, and fundraising and donation strategies have never been more important as the economy contracts. The 11th Annual Charities and Not for Profits Conference examines these key issues and more.
We’re so excited that Catherine will present this year, speaking about “The Race for the Dollar: Rethinking Fundraising and Donation Strategies”.
In challenging economic times, fundraising becomes paramount, and charities and NFPs relying on more than government funds need to think outside the box. This session will examine some of the challenges to the traditional way of raising money and proactive changes that may be beneficial, including:
• The key challenges facing traditional fundraising methods
• The consequences of the expanding charity and NFP sector
• How have the expectations of donors changed?
• The impact of technology and social media on fundraising activity
• What skills does an organisation’s fundraising team need to have?
• What works? Strategies for approaching donors
• Examples of alternative fundraising methods, including impact investing, outcome-based projects and bonds
• A cold hard look at fund management and costs
• Tips for ensuring regulatory compliance in non-traditional fundraising activities.
The conference kicks off this Thursday, 25th May 2023. For registration information see:
https://www.tved.net.au/index.cfm?SimpleDisplay=dsp_SearchProduct_ts.cfm&PC=MNFMAY23&Type=4

It was amazing to hear from our friends at the Indigenous Law Centre about another step forward in promoting the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

They’ve been working hard to translate the Uluru Statement to ensure this important message is accessible to all Australians. We were so excited to hear it’s now available in 64 languages!

If you’d like a copy of the Uluru Statement in your language to distribute in your community, please DM the UluruStatement Instagram account.

The Northern Rivers have been decimated by the recent floods, homes and livelihoods have been destroyed. Those affected by the flooding have experienced trauma and are now facing decreasing mental health and wellbeing.

Please help DAISI support the people and communities of Northern Rivers to rebuild their resilience, agency and confidence to overcome their current and future challenges to enable healthy, strong communities into the future.

Through your donation, DAISI will work to reconnect with those affected by the floods in the Northern Rivers area and provide them with a mobile counselling service with our team of qualified councillors and psychologists.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/jpan4-mobile-counselling-service?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Tomorrow is the 26th of January. For some a day of celebration, to Australia’s First Nations as well as a growing percentage of their white allies, it’s viewed as something much darker - a day of mourning, Survival Day or Invasion Day. Referring to the date on which English colonialism entered and claimed ‘Australia’ for its own.

Luke Pearson (a Gamilaroi man) says, “it is not enough to just change the date as if the only problem with modern-day Australia, or its history, is the date on which we were holding our national celebration”.

Perhaps the real question we should be asking is “What sort of Australia do we want to live in and celebrate on Australia Day, irrespective of what date it is held”?



https://wendybrooks.com.au/2022/01/24/is-the-date-australia-day-is-held-on-the-real-question-to-be-asked-on-26-january/

Is the date Australia Day is held on the real question to be asked on 26 January? - Wendy Brooks & Partners Perhaps the real question we should be asking is “What sort of Australia do we want to live in and celebrate on Australia Day"?

Last week we learnt how our amazing client Environmental Justice Australia is supporting 5 brave young Australians to lodge human rights complaints relating to the Australian Government’s lack of action in cutting greenhouse emissions by 2030.

The complaints were made jointly to the UN Special Rapporteurs for Human Rights and Environment, the rights of Indigenous people, and the rights of persons with disabilities.

They make the case that the Morrison government’s globally-criticised 2030 emissions reduction target, fails to uphold the human rights of every young Australian, particularly those at acute risk from climate harm including young First Nations people and people with a disability.

You can read more about each of the activists and their personal action, as well as the EJA’s case on the EJA website via the link below.

Together, we must solve the climate crisis before we lock in the greatest intergenerational injustice of our time

https://www.envirojustice.org.au/projects/solidarity-action-youth-climate-justice/?fbclid=IwAR3tsW0S0y63nRC0LxjgDEXDBhXULFQ871pV34k_st4RAs_nkrEfQW9g8o4

#2030

Stand with young Australians calling for climate justice Everyone has the right to a healthy environment and a safe climate. Our kids deserve a bright future with equal opportunity, a say in what will determine their future, and where the people and places they love thrive.

The Arts Law Centre of Australia 2021 Art Auction is NOW OPEN.

https://buff.ly/2Z9AxfD

Online bidding has now opened and will close at 8pm Sunday 7 November.
Arts Law have sourced artworks from over 25 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art centres, arts organisations and individual artists around the country. 60% of each sale goes directly back to the artists, helping support communities and the arts sector. The remaining portion will support Arts Law and allow us to continue delivering vital services to Australia’s artists and arts organisations.
Collect art. Buy ethically. Support Arts Law.



Proudly sponsored by New Chambers.

In our latest blog, we unpack the inherent tension in the grantmaking and seeking process. Grantmakers can struggle with the sheer number of grant applications they have to read and analyse. Grant seekers struggle with the number of bespoke grant applications they have to make to survive.

Together we could reimagine a vastly better grant application process, but we have to start talking about it now.

Will you join us?

https://wendybrooks.com.au/2021/09/29/can-we-reimagine-the-grant-application-process/

Can we reimagine the grant application process? - Wendy Brooks & Partners Can we acknowledge the power differentials, be honest with one another, and have conversations about how we can become more effective partners without the tedious, inefficient grant application process we mostly have now?

Wendy Brooks & Partners updated their address.

In our latest blog, we unpack the primary goal of fundraising – equity and justice.

If something brings in large amounts of money but fails to increase equity and justice in the short or long term, then fundraising is not doing its job, no matter how many other KPIs may have been met.

https://wendybrooks.com.au/2021/08/18/fundraising-is-not-about-money/

Fundraising is not about money - Wendy Brooks & Partners Fundraising’s primary goal is not to raise money but to assist in bringing about equity and justice.

It’s NAIDOC Week 2021, the theme this year, Heal Country! – calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

“Healing Country means finally resolving many of the outstanding injustices which impact on the lives of our people.”

Due to COVID – NAIDOC week will be a little different, to ensure the safety of those most vulnerable, however, you can check out some great COVID safe ways to celebrate and honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the NAIDOC website.
We at Wendy Brooks & Partners urge all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – which dates back thousands of years.

We recognize that their sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land
https://www.naidoc.org.au/news/top-20-tips-get-involved-naidoc-week

or

Earlier this week, Wendy was in Sydney to facilitate a workshop with two amazing organisations we regularly work with - AbSec and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.

The workshop aimed to share both organisation's respective areas of work and their key strengths, to find common ground as well as opportunities for collaboration to enable better outcomes for Aboriginal children and their families.

It was a great day filled with crucial learnings and connections. Thanks to everyone involved, working together we increase our capacity and continue making a real impact where it’s truly needed.

Attendees included Jonathon Hunyor, CEO, PIAC; Gail Brennan, PIAC; Solange Frost, AbSec; Emma Bastable, PIAC; Gillian Thacker, AbSec; John Leha, CEO, AbSec; Wendy Brooks facilitator; Jonathan Hall Spence, PIAC; Sam Priebee, AbSec

If you have the means to donate this end of financial year, please consider helping support the national Teaching Artist Workshop Program navigate the twists and turns of the changing Covid-19 landscape.

From Colac to Traralgon, to Kwinana, to Mackay, and hundreds of other towns and cities in between, over the past 7 years a Monkey Baa Teaching Artist has visited every state and territory to deliver pre-show drama workshops… that’s over 1000 workshops to more than 26,000 children! And, in the process, we have employed dozens of artists to represent us in the classrooms across Australia.

Your donation will fund more state-based Teaching Artists, as we implement a Covid-safe adaptation to the program putting more regional artists into more classrooms!

https://bit.ly/eofy-monkeybaa-donate

Keeping our Teaching Artists rolling! Help support our national Teaching Artist Workshop program navigate the twists and turns of the changing Covid-19 landscape. From Colac, to Traralgon, to Kwinana, to Mackay, and hundreds of other towns and cities in between, over the past 7 years a Monkey Baa Teaching Artist has visited every state....

Age-related macular disease or AMD – an eye disease that affects the macula, will impact one in seven Australians over the age of 50.
AMD is the leading cause of legal blindness in Australia. There are often no symptoms of AMD until the disease advances and vision is affected.

The macula is the central part of the retina at the back of the eye. Through the aid of light-sensitive cells, it supports our sharp central vision when we look straight ahead. In AMD, the cells in the macula gradually break down. This can lead to blurred central vision, making it hard to read, drive and recognise faces.

In some instances, there is no effective treatment for AMD, but we know research holds the answers to ultimately preventing its progression.

To help support this important work, the Centre for Eye Research Australia is asking for donations through their 2021 Tax appeal. All donations are tax-deductible and will help their researchers better understand and treat AMD.

https://www.cera.org.au/appeals/tax-appeal-2021/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=external&utm_campaign=wendybrooksandpartners

For more than 30 years AQA Spinal Injury Info & Support has worked to support community members whose lives have been disrupted by injuries, illnesses, and other events, to participate in all aspects of life and contribute. With a vision of an inclusive community where people have access to the resources they need to meet the challenges of change, their work is crucial.

They offer clients a range of services from regular day-to-day essentials such as personal care to peer-to-peer support to help clients positively explore their potential and meet their goals.

With community backing, AQA/Spire has maintained the peer-led services that bring so much relief and hope to people who have experienced a life-changing injury or illness. To continue this amazing work AQA has launched their end of financial year appeal. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
https://bit.ly/3ioPGkV

Can you help AQA? With your backing we have been able to maintain the peer-led services that bring so much relief and hope to people who have experienced a life-changing injury or illness.

It’s no secret that COVID19 has changed all our lives in many ways, but like most things, the impact across our community has been disproportionate.

Whilst the Welfare Rights Centre NSW does an amazing job in supporting those most vulnerable in traversing our complicated social security system, the percentage of community members at risk of needing income support has grown, driven largely by the COVID crisis. We’ve seen countless examples of previously stable job sectors struggle to stay afloat and, in many instances, collapse under the pressure.

To help with their ever-growing number of clients, the WRC is expanding, to aid this objective, they’re asking the public to help through an end-of-financial year appeal. All donations are 100% tax deductable - we urge you if you can, to assist them with a donation.

You can read a post from WRC's Executive Director Katherine Boyle and donate on the link below.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/katherine-boyle-b823632b_end-of-financial-year-appeal-activity-6807828397826420736-I9M4

Katherine Boyle on LinkedIn: End of Financial Year Appeal Hi everyone – I don't usually post about this kind of think but I'm asking you all to please consider supporting our End of Financial Year campaign. If...

Catherine Brooks, Community Directors Council member and senior advisor here at Wendy Brooks & Partners, helped produce the landmark white paper report, The Big Rethink: Fundraising in the era of COVID-19.

In a previously recorded webinar, Catherine discusses aspects of the Big Rethink report examining how organisations might adapt some of the past year's lessons to the new “COVID-normal” world.

Here’s what some of our participants have found useful from the webinar.

“I thought it was excellent and very timely for our organisation”.

“Great topic refresher for me. Great to listen to someone with a lot of experience”.

"Thanks to Wendy and her team and the organiser of this event. It was thorough and quite clear. I am involved in several NfP Boards and I will definitely share with them and encourage them to develop a fundraising strategy."

To register and access the webinar, click the link below!

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4301184348736677390

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5, to remind humans that we are not alone on this planet, but we only live as part of a huge biological ecosystem and are not separate from the environment we live in.

This year, World Environment Day is dedicated to the protection and revival of precious ecosystems all over the world. This is the perfect moment to join , a global movement to restore ecosystems everywhere for the good of people and nature, and power change for the better.

https://wendybrooks.com.au/2021/06/01/join-generationrestoration/

Join #GenerationRestoration - Wendy Brooks & Partners This World Environment Day join , a global movement to restore ecosystems everywhere for the good of people and nature, and power change for the better!

Today is day – On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia ruled on what’s become known as the Mabo decision. Eddie Mabo, a Mer Island man argued in state and federal courts as well as the High Court of Australia to overturn the fallacy of ‘Terra Nullis’. A colonial invention, suggesting that Australian lands were unowned, despite the First Nations peoples deep connection to its lands and waters for more than 65,000 years.

In 1993 the Native Title Act was passed, establishing a legal framework for native title claims throughout Australia by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At Wendy Brooks & Partners, we take Mabo Day off (instead of Australia Day) to celebrate and reflect on how Eddie Mabo almost single-handedly initiated change for an entire country. We also recognise ‘Australia Day’ for what it truly is – Invasion Day. We stand in solidarity with the First Nations peoples and celebrate the rightful acknowledgment of sovereignty to their lands.

We will be back in the office Friday, June 4

This Reconciliation Week we felt it imperative to share this profound insight into a problem that is still a reality in Australia – the removal of indigenous children from their families.

We’ve worked with John Leha and AbSec on many occasions. Their mission, important and close to our hearts - to ensure “Aboriginal children and young people are looked after in safe, thriving Aboriginal families and communities. They are raised strong in spirit and identity, with every opportunity for lifelong wellbeing and connection to culture.”

We’d like to congratulate John on the article. It's reinvigorated our commitment to do whatever we can to support the prevention of child removal and the support for First Nations families.

We also thank AbSec for all they do - championing sovereignty and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It's of vital importance that we join to create an inclusive Australia we deserve.

This reconciliation week – as allies we must show that it’s “More than a word”. It takes action - a move from safe to brave on indigenous issues is essential.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/in-the-midst-of-another-child-removal-crisis-we-can-t-skimp-on-this-valuable-intervention-20210524-p57un0.html

In the midst of another child removal crisis, we can’t skimp on valuable early intervention A tiny fraction of the money spent on support services goes towards Aboriginal organisations supporting Aboriginal kids.

This year, reconciliation week marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.

This reconciliation week – as allies of our First Nations Peoples we must show that it’s “More than a word”. Reconciliation takes action - a move from safe to brave on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is essential.

To that end, Reconciliation Australia has put together a list of 20 actions for reconciliation. Things that we as allies can start today to support our First Nations Peoples and the journey towards reconciliation.

“The goal of the reconciliation movement is for a just, equitable and reconciled country. This will only be achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Peoples of this land, are able to equally contribute to daily life of the nation. Until this happens, Australia will not reach its full potential.”

https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/actions-for-reconciliation/

Actions for Reconciliation - National Reconciliation Week 2021 20 actions for reconciliation in 2021 The goal of the reconciliation movement is for a just, equitable and reconciled country. This will only be achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait […]

Earlier this week the team attended the OurCommunity.com.au conference – Communities in control. The theme was Think Bigger: Fix Everything

What’s the big idea? Australia has big problems. Wealth inequality is rising. We have to get over carbon. We need to save the Reef. And the Murray. And the koala. And so much more. But our leaders are offering us small targets.

No more bandaids. No more excuses. No more bu****it. Let’s just do what has to be done. It’s 2021. We’ve got a once-in-a-generation opportunity to crash through the old roadblocks and break out into open country. Seize the day!

We were absolutely blown away by the speakers and the breadth of the conversations they’ve started. Insight on the national emergency that is domestic abuse by Jess Hill, Grace Tame on the movement, and Uncle Jack Charles speaking to the foundation of how to treat people.

Yes, Australia has big problems, we have the control though – let’s get to work

Next Monday, eventbrite in partnership with The Reach Foundation is having a live panel to discuss the findings of the 2020/2021 Social Inclusion Index about the exclusion of young people in our society.

It tells us the state of social inclusion in our country following a global health crisis that has affected every facet of our lives. Has it brought us closer together or driven us apart?
The results are surprising and confronting because they reveal how we behave in times of hardship.

A standout is how we treat our young people (aged 18-24). towards young people has been alarmingly high over the last four years and it got worse during the pandemic. Yet the extent of the problem is largely unknown.

Please join with youth advocacy group Reach to explore the causes of prejudice and discrimination towards young people, how this plays out in everyday life and what needs to change.

This is an online event - 24 May 2021at 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM AEST and is free to attend. Please register on the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/youth-discussion-panel-tickets-154650404523?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=126892338&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--elkhgMpeJHT50xxohpqHNqK6BPVduGJ736Jfk2H9Szv3KH0pQsVYSQ2QUUMw-iD8-Ssitoh_PuVhcezR91vS9kSqrGA&utm_content=126892338&utm_source=hs_email

As we approach the 4th anniversary of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, we were delighted to learn of the launch of Professors Megan Davis and George Williams's new book – Everything you need to know about the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The first authoritative book outlining this historic part of our shared experience.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to Australian People from First Nation Australians. Inviting Australians to walk with First Nations Peoples in a movement for a better future. It asks us to support a First Nations voice in the constitution – the right to give advice on laws affecting First Nations Peoples.

We sincerely support The Uluru Statement from the Heart – It’s crucial in pursuing our First Nations People’s struggle for rights and recognition within modern Australia.

We proudly acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities.

We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present, and emerging.

Everything you know about the Uluru Statement from the Heart releases on 26th May and is available via https://www.bookshop.unsw.edu.au/details.cgi?ITEMNO=9781742237404&15000142