Cool people start their own charities

Tim Costello (CEO of World Vision) is quoted in this article as saying; “There are 700,000 not-for-profit organisations and the latest fad today is under-30s wanting to start their own not-for-profit equivalent of what in my day was starting a rock band.”

Cool! This is good news, I have always wanted to be Kurt Cobain (Sorry I give away alot with that statement don’t I) and now it appears that my complete lack of musical talent will not limit my rise to stardom as I am involved in leadership of a Not-for-Profit organisation.

All jokes and vanity aside, I think that this was an interesting article. My initial reaction was concern that risks to the tax deductibility of organisations like Scripture Union are significant. Our tax deductibility directly goes towards allowing us to do more activities with young people. In fact it is a great way for the government to support the work of charities and community focused groups. It says to them, while we may not be able to fund you directly, we lift some of the tax burdens to acknowledge that you play an important role in the Australian community.

I know that this is not always the perception. After being interviewed on the morning program on ABC local radio regarding the future of our campsite in Busselton, there were many positive responses. However, one caller rang stating that groups like SU run corporate events, charge big prices and then avoid tax. Well I felt like ringing back and offering to show them both SU financial’s and the campsite booking sheet. No big profits there, bookings only for SU members, camps with young people and disadvantaged members from the WA community is what they would find.

So initially I lean towards saying; “Leave us alone, we do good work this review will only be bad.” Tim Costello saw things differently. He sees this as an opportunity;

“There are 700,000 organisations in the non-profit sector. It is too many. You have 2000 charities that
have at least one of their goals tackling breast cancer. This is inefficient and so I think the idea of a charities commission should be explored.”

in fact rather than resistant Tim states; “I feel positive about a standard regulatory regime.”

After some reflection I think that standards and regulations could be a good thing, helpful for people who want to volunteer or donate to a charity and helpful for groups like SU.

I also have reflected that it is interesting that my first preference was to “keep it all quiet”. Is this the response that people who see themselves “as ushering in the “Jesus alternative Kingdom which is open for all to examine” should have? Or was I just being a shrewd manager? Let me know what you think…..