Book Review: The Good Giving Guide
Australian Guide to Choosing a Charity to Support
The Good Giving Guide (Penguin Australia, 2008) by Lyn Amy and Mary Pearce is more than a listing of not-for-profit organisations in Australia that perform charitable works. Based on the premise that more Australians would donate money to charities if they understood what happened with their donations, Amy and Pearce explore the deeper questions of why we need to be charitable and how to find a suitable charity to support.
Why is it Important to be Charitable
Avoiding any moral or ethical debates about the significance of charitable works, Amy and Pearce focus on scientific and social research examining the physical and emotional benefits of giving. Positive physiological responses have been recorded when people donate money or help others with the brain’s “reward centre” showing greater stimulation on MRI testing when a subject gave than when they received.
Cash donations are not the only form of charity and Amy and Pearce highlight the need to consider a broader definition of how people make a contribution to improving society. Time, skills and a general attitude of compassion, loyalty and generosity of spirit are often as significant as the money that is received.
How to Choose a Charity
In keeping with their focus on the diverse nature of charity, Amy and Pearce cover the range of giving options including personal, business and workplace donations. They encourage readers to consider what they want to achieve through their donation and what causes are most important to them.
To avoid “giver fatigue” they suggest that readers need to acknowledge that one person cannot help everyone. It is better for people to make a significant difference in supporting a cause that focuses on an issue that is of importance to them, rather than not donating at all because the need is too great to single out a particular group or organisation.
Charity Profiles
The Good Giving Guide provides profiles for 100 charities selected from the more than 35,000 charities operating in Australia. These include a range of organisations from high profile, well-known charities, such as CanTeen and The Smith Family, to small local charities to demonstrate the breadth of causes and levels of impact.
Each charity is summarised in one page with their contact details and a brief outline of their origins, affiliations and primary focus. Both secular and church-related charities are profiled. A financial summary for each charity is included with details for 2006 and 2007. Figures include:
- Total gross revenue
- Gross revenue from fundraising
- Cost of fundraising
- Fundraising cost ratio
- Net assets
- Bequests received
- Operating surplus/deficit
Details of major assets and major sources of revenue percentages are also provided.
A Starting Point for Generosity
All royalties from The Good Giving Guide are going to The Australian Charities Fund, an organisation that facilitates workplace giving programs in companies with a large number of employees, maximising the tax benefits of the donations.
Amy and Pearce include an overview of setting up a not-for-profit organisation and encouragement to consider non-monetary forms of charity such as donating goods, volunteering and helping through buying products that benefit particular charities. The Good Giving Guide is a great starting point for anyone wanting to be more conscientious and deliberate in their support of Australian charities.
