Charity sector leaders have welcomed a new way for charities to connect with donors, volunteers and each other.

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner the Hon Dr Gary Johns said enhancements to the Charity Register open a world of opportunities for the sector to connect, collaborate and innovate.

“For the first time, new Charity Register search features allow you to look up the kind of charity program you would like to support, in your local area or your preferred location anywhere in Australia,” Dr Johns said. “Donors, philanthropists, grant-makers and volunteers can now use the Register to find a cause close to their heart, while charities can use it to connect with each other.”

The enhanced Charity Register will be officially launched in Melbourne with sector leaders to outline key benefits for their organisations, as well as the people and communities they serve.

Philanthropy Australia CEO Jack Heath said the enhanced Register is an important innovation for the sector.

“At Philanthropy Australia, we are committed to doubling philanthropic giving by 2030, and innovations such as the ACNC’s enhanced Charity Register are an important step towards building new ways for philanthropy to work with charities to increase the scale of national giving. The register is a valuable tool in our quest to lift philanthropic giving to better support Australians in need,” Mr Heath said.

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said the enhanced Register opens greater opportunities for collaboration with other charities.

“GIVIT works with more than 4,300 charities and support organisations to ensure vulnerable people across Australia get what they need, when they need it. Since we began, over 4.5 million essential items have been donated by everyday Australians. We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with charities through the enhanced ACNC Charity Register,” Ms Tennant said.

Tanarra Philanthropic Advisors CEO Lisa Kingman OAM said, prior to the launch, the innovation will drive better outcomes.

“We’ve provided pro bono advice to hundreds of charities. We ask their boards to identify who is doing complementary or similar work, as it’s important to understand where you fit in the ecosystem, your differentiation and where collaboration would deliver better outcomes for your beneficiaries,” Ms Kingman said.

“In the main, charities have tiny marketing budgets so broadening awareness is a continual challenge. COVID has forced a rethink of traditional fundraising events. It makes good sense to seek out likeminded organisations and collaborate. For example, if there’s three small organisations all working in the same cause space, they could pool resources and share the fundraising outcomes.”

Media are invited to attend the launch at The Events Centre, Collins Square, Tower 2, 727 Collins St, Docklands, Victoria or online via this You Tube meeting link. https://youtu.be/iQnaIA2BIJA