The who how what and where of donating first came up in a discussion with my husband. Where would we donate to? There are many different organisations that could use assistance and many more we are not aware of. As I kept having conversations along these lines with more than one person, I decided I would do a list of the different areas I looked into for making a donation.
Nothing will compare to you making a choice about what you would like to contribute towards and then doing your own research but if you are feeling overwhelmed (as I have been) here is a start. It is not a thorough comprehensive list but it is what I have come up with. I am happy to receive more suggestions and details!
I hope it helps and thank you for wanting to help!
*When donating please check whether the organisation is a registered charity using the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s online register. It lists all charities registered in Australia, and details their operations, finance and governance.
https://www.acnc.gov.au/
I’ll cover three areas (firefighters, wildlife, and rebuilding) for you to consider.
Also a quick note to people from outside of Australia who want to help. Australia consists of several different states, each with its own organisations and big chunks of the country (just about) is on fire. Each state has its own fire service or authority, wildlife rescue so you can determine where to direct your donation. Typically the funds won’t cross state lines. If for instance you donate to NSW RFS, your funds won’t go towards providing assistance in Victoria. So bear that in mind.
You probably like to know where your money will go, well, as Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission puts it on their website (under costs), “It costs money to run a charity – large charities with complex structures and extensive programs cost more to operate than smaller charities run solely by volunteers.”
That may be of consideration to you. Also smaller charities may not have as big a reach and therefore get less attention/funds.
Some organisations are great at being clear that 100% of donations go towards the cause and they cover their own costs some other way.
Anyway, on to the list
FIREFIGHTERS (listed by state)
NSW
NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE
NSW RFS has created dedicated bank accounts to collect donations for the families of volunteer firefighters who have been tragically killed while on duty this fire season
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/general-news/featured/support-for-firefighter-families
Or donate to the NSW RFS
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade
QLD
QLD Fire and Rescue via GIVIT
http://givit.org.au/disasters
They accept items, funds and services. You have to check what items are needed so it’s not a random dump your stuff on their doorstep situation. You can choose where the money goes to and 100% of funds received will be used to purchase essential items. GIVIT does not take administration fees from donations.
All operating costs are covered by government contracts and corporate partners.
SA
SA County Fire Service
https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate
Victoria
VIC County Fire Authority
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa
Specifically for the 2020 bushfires, CFA promotes four options for you to donate, depending on how you would like your donation to be used. Affected families and communities; support the wellbeing of volunteer firefighters and their families; continued work to protect lives and property; and work in the community.
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/donate1
WA
Western Australia Fire & Emergency (DFES)
DFES is a Government authority that cannot donations from the public, it is best to contact your local volunteer fire or emergency service to see how you can help. If you wish to donate
https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/contactus/Pages/Donations.aspx
Volunteer Hardship Assistance Scheme – Supporting emergency services volunteers with financial assistance during times of hardship
Donate Here
Local Brigade, Group or Unit – Donate to Western Australia’s emergency service volunteers
TAS
Tasmania Fire Service
I couldn’t find a clear donation page so have included the page listing contact details instead. You might be able to donate to a local brigade. If you happen to have any information on donating to the TFS please let me know so I can get this updated.
http://fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId=colContactUs
WILDLIFE
The updated estimate of animals wiped out is now over 1 billion. Animals need to be rescued, rehabilitated, fed, and released. Their habitat also needs to be rebuilt.
NSW
NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES)
https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund%E2%80%AC
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thirsty-koalas-devastated-by-recent-fires
The project to set up drinking stations has now been extended to establish a wild koala breeding program.
Or you can donate to the hospital.
Donate to Our Work
Or support the planting of one food tree.
Plant A Koala Food Tree
Friends of the Koala
A small non profit run by volunteers in Northern NSW. Unless otherwise indicated, donations to Friends of the Koala Inc. go directly towards the cost of koala rehabilitation. According to Friends of the Koala they rescue more koalas than any other rescue group in NSW. You can choose to make a donation, adopt a koala, or donate towards a koala hospital.
*Please check if it is a registered charity, I couldn’t see it but could just be my eyes.
Also, don’t forget there are other states this disaster is affecting. The WIRES campaign can legally only help shelters in NSW. It seems a lot of people gave to WIRES thinking that funds would be distributed everywhere. Without a doubt every dollar given was needed but please also consider:
Victoria
Wildlife Victoria
https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/donate/donate-to-wildlife-victoria
Adelaide
1300Koalas
Adelaide and Hills area
You can buy a gift for a koala (like syringes, food supplements or formula for joeys) or you can donate using the details they provide.
https://www.1300koalaz.com/apps/webstore/
REBUILDING
After the bushfires are under control (soon, we all hope!!) media coverage tends to fade but people will still be picking up the pieces. It takes a long time and it will need alot of support.
Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal
You can donate to the Disaster Resilience and Recovery Fund. Donations up to $1 million will be matched by the asset manager. You can get very specific about which fund you would prefer to donate to or leave it generalised.
https://www.frrr.org.au/online_donations.php
https://www.frrr.org.au/cb_pages/supporting_bushfire-affected_communities.php
This is their Facebook page if you wanted to find out some more.
https://www.facebook.com/followFRRR
One more way to provide support
Buy from those business that are impacted. They’re going to need your support to get through things. I’m trying to track down businesses in those areas with the intention of compiling a list.
And please share this with those who wish to help but are not sure where to start.
Thank you so much xo
If I have made any errors please get in touch to let me know and if you have some suggestions I would love to hear from you too. For those that have already donated thank you!