Workplace giving programmes may help reach philanthropy goals

Workplace giving in Australia is currently not living up to its potential, but once applied correctly, it could help get Australia hit its philanthropy goals by 2030, said Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury.

Data from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) revealed that the percentage of employees participating in the workplace has barely budged over the past 10 years, despite more employers joining the fold. Some 4.3 million people were employed at a workplace that had a workplace giving programme in 2020-21. However, just 206,954 employees participated in those programmes, recording a participation rate of just 4.7%.

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The average amount given per employee was A$258 (US$174), with employees of micro-employers giving the most, at an average of A$714 (US$483) per employee. In contrast, employees in the government sector gave the least per employee, at an average of A$169 (US$114).

“Workplace giving has great potential to be a major source of donations for Australia’s charities. Not only does it link employees with important causes, but it can spark that vital conversation about giving back to build a reconnected Australia,” added Leigh, reported Pro Bono News.