Fundraising

The following information provides detail on how sub-branches can start public fundraising for themselves.

What is Fundraising?

In general, the following types of activities are fundraising:

• accepting donations (whether requested or received unsolicited) to help a person, cause or organisation (whether in person, by post, by phone or online),
• selling goods (merchandise/tokens/food) where some or all of profits will go towards helping a person, cause or organisation,
• holding an event to raise money for a person, cause or organisation,
• accepting a benefit other than money (whether requested or received unsolicited) for a person, cause or organisation,

where these activities involve members of the public. Representations you make that money or benefits will be used to help a person, cause or organisation can be express or implied.

Examples of the kinds of activities described above could include:

• receiving a cheque in the mail from a local business for the purpose of funding an ANZAC Day lunch, or simply to put towards a sub-branch’s activities (whether or not you have requested it);
• selling tokens to or holding a sausage sizzle or cake stall in the local community;
• running a trivia night, auction, dinner dance or other event for members of the public to attend for the purpose of raising money for the sub-branch;
• accepting goods (for example, sausages for a sausage sizzle to be served at a sub-branch lunch) from a local business.

In NSW, fundraising is governed by the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and regulated and administered by Fair Trading (NSW). If your fundraising activity includes a lottery or game of chance, it is also governed by Lotteries and Art Unions Act 1901 and regulated and administered by Fair Trading (NSW). Games of chance include, raffles, bingo, sweepstakes and other forms of community gaming.

How do I Start Fundraising?

If you are intending to fundraise in NSW, you must:

• Determine whether you need to hold a charitable fundraising authority (CFA), a type of NSW government licence issued by NSW Fair Trading for charitable fundraising. If so, the CFA will list conditions specific to your fundraising activity, that must be met. If you do not anticipate receiving more than $15,000 gross in any financial year (or any other amount which the charitable fundraising regulation may provide), you are likely to be exempt from the requirement to hold a CFA but not from the obligation to comply with the Charitable Fundraising Act and the Charitable Fundraising Regulation.
• Understand and comply with fundraising laws in other states (if your fundraising activity is likely to go beyond NSW).
• Understand your obligations under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the Charitable Fundraising Regulation 2015.
• Understand any other legal obligations or requirements of the fundraising activity being conducted.

Examples of things you may need to have in place include:

• A designated bank account to clearly identify fundraising income received from each individual fundraising appeal.
• Be able to issue receipts to donors.
• To be able to clearly show donations have been spent on the specific purpose for which they were given.

This list is not exhaustive and if you have any questions about your charitable fundraising obligations, you should seek advice. Specifics of what you will need to do to meet your legal requirements will be determined by your own circumstances, and you will need to make sure you fully understand your obligations.

How can sub-Branches order fundraising tokens online?

A significant number of tokens formerly owned by WBI are available to sub-Branches and can now be ordered online. Sub-Branches will be required to pay a small packing ($0.25 cents per token) and freight charge, however there is no charge for the tokens.

How to create an account and place an order:

• Go to the online ordering portal by clicking here
• Create an account login by clicking ‘Continue’ under ‘New Customer’ and completing your details. Please ensure you enter your official sub-Branch email address in the email field (which automatically also becomes your username)
• Your account will usually be authorised the same business day, at which point you will receive an email notification. Once you receive authorisation, you will be able to login and place orders using your username and password
• View the range of tokens available and select the quantity of each token you require below the image of the token listed, then press “Add to cart”
• Once you have finished ordering all the tokens you require, click on the shopping cart image at the top right of screen to complete your order
• Click on ‘Checkout” then fill in the name and address details – please note deliveries cannot be made to an address with a PO Box.
• Select payment type (i.e. Credit Card, EFT or Cheque) to complete your order. Please note credit card is the fastest option as orders are packed and dispatched once payment is received.

A video demonstration of the sign up process described above is available here.

If you require assistance, please contact PMA Global directly on (02) 9629 0800 or support@pmaglobal.co

More Information

• NSW Fair Trading
• Not for Profit Law
• Charitable Fundraising Act 1991
• Charitable Fundraising Regulation 2015
• Lotteries and Art Unions Act 1901