This report explores the potential gains from expanding access to advice on charitable giving in Australia. It finds that a range of barriers stop people from giving more to charity. The report focuses on the powerful role that professional advisers and fundraisers could play in reducing these barriers and helping more Australians to give generously. 

In the order of $7 to $12 billion in extra donations to charity could potentially be unlocked between now and 2030 if Australians could access greater support on charitable giving from financial advisers, accountants, lawyers and fundraisers. Equipping these professionals with the right tools and removing barriers offers the prospect of lifting donations by almost 50% compared to today’s level.

Key findings

• Australians give less generously to charity compared to people in comparable nations.
• 28% of Australian taxpayers claim a tax deduction for charitable donations, much less than the 37% who did so in 2011.
• Professional advisers (financial advisers, accountants and lawyers) can prompt people to consider charitable giving and offer support and advice to help them do so. 
• Fundraisers play a central role in connecting Australians to causes they care about, building trust in charities and sustaining long-term relationships with donors.

Recommendations

• Improving access to education, training and tools for professional advisers.
• Reviewing potential regulatory and financial barriers to financial advisers helping clients with philanthropy.
• Further professionalising the fundraiser workforce.
• Improving data collection on charitable giving and the professional adviser and fundraiser workforces.