COMMUNITY GROUPS, CHARITIES RESPOND TO FIRE CRISIS

BY MATTHEW SCHULZ, JOURNALIST, OUR COMMUNITY, WITH CLARE HUSSEY AND MARK FITZPATRICK

SCORES of charities, not-for-profits and community organisations continue to do their bit to counter the effects of Australia’s devastating 2019–20 bushfires.

From supporting specific communities, to helping animals, rebuilding shattered lives, and launching fundraisers, people across the country have galvanised their efforts to assist others.

As many community organisations who’ve been involved in disaster relief would know, this is just the beginning of a long recovery, and after the initial burst of much-needed donations, the longer-term sustainability of efforts will be tested.

The impact of bushfire appeals on fundraising efforts by unrelated organisations may also present challenges for community groups. Our Community’s donations arm GiveNow.com. au was among many organisations helping shepherd funding and assistance at the height of the bushfire emergency, producing a dossier of information about charities, fundraisers and other kinds of help that continues to direct donors and volunteers to appropriate organisations.

A help page on the GiveNow site grew rapidly from a basic list to a directory of more than 100 organisations assisting in the relief effort.

Codes of conduct and sound platforms lend credibility to fundraisers

Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) chief executive Katherine Raskob said the organisation was proud of the role played by its members – many of them listed on the GiveNow help page – in “supporting those impacted by the crisis to get back on their feet”.

“While there are too many members to name, we salute the work of the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society, Anglicare, Foodbank Victoria, RSPCA and WWF.”

She said members’ efforts ranged from shortterm help like providing food, clothing and emotional support for evacuated families, to longer-term financial and practical assistance to rebuild homes and lives.

That effort also extended to the “countless animals, including pets, wildlife and livestock, that had been affected”.

She said while it was natural that Australians wanted to give, they should look to established and well-known charities running credible

disaster appeals, including FIA members, whose code of conduct demands ethical, transparent and accountable behaviour.

She said any crowdfunding appeal should be hosted on a credible platform with “safety measures in place”. More information GiveNow: How to help the bushfire relief effort Moores: Lessons for charities from Celeste Barber’s bushfires fundraising

Resources for disaster relief and recovery: a collection from the Commons social change library