Australian Communities Forum ACF16 2016
The Australian Communities Forum was held on Thursday 13th October 2016. This forum is the nation’s one day event focused on delivering the social trends transforming Australian communities and how organisations can best engage in these changing times. Held since 2012, this annual event provides compelling case studies, the latest research, practical workshops and importantly, great networking over morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Held at the iconic Customs House at Circular Quay, Sydney, and commencing with a launch of the 2016 Australian Communities Report, this event equipped leaders in community engagement with the latest insights into 21st Century Australian Communities. The results of our annual longitudinal study, which analyses the effectiveness, engagement and awareness of the Not for Profit sector, were presented at the Australian Communities Forum, Sydney on October 13. The Australian Community Trends Report delivers a clear analysis of the social context in which the Not for Profit sector is operating, and shows that Australians are a generous bunch, with four in five Australian givers (80%) giving financially to charitable organisations. MOTIVATION FOR GIVING When it comes to motivation to give money to or volunteer with a charitable organisation, children and health are the top causes. Australian charitable givers are most likely to be highly motivated to give money to or volunteer for children’s charities (47%) followed by medical and cancer research organisations (46%) and animal welfare and wildlife support groups (44%). Compared to our 2015 research findings, children’s charities have overtaken health and disaster relief as the highest giving priorities in 2016. THE KEY DECISION DRIVERS The key decision drivers for Australian charitable givers are knowledge and trust of the organisation, which is the most significant influence on Australian givers getting involved with a charitable organisation. Almost seven in 10 Australian givers (68%) indicated that this is extremely or very significant as a motivation for getting involved. Australians are also highly motivated by organisations that make the world a better place for the less fortunate (54%) and also by their own knowledge of a need (52%). THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION CHANNELS The most important communication channels in helping Australian charitable givers to engage with causes, Not for Profit organisations and charitable organisations is through word of mouth by way of friends or family members. This was listed as the most influential channel through which Australian givers hear about and engage with charitable organisations, with 39% of Australian givers considering this to be extremely or very important. This validates the ingrained Aussie “scepticism” and our need to hear information from someone we trust in order to fully trust the information we are receiving.
895 views • 46 slides