In the world of charitable organisations (‘charities’ for simplicity in this article), securing funding is often a matter of survival. Charities rely on grants, donations, and other forms of financial support to carry out their missions, whether that involves alleviating poverty, advancing education, or promoting faith-based initiatives. However, the pursuit Read more
In the dynamic landscape of New Zealand’s non-profit sector, good governance is not just a buzzword—it’s the cornerstone of organisational success and sustainability. Many well-meaning individuals step into trustee or officer roles in non-profits driven by a genuine desire to make a difference or to assist a friend or family Read more
Dr John Godfrey publishes a periodic blog, principally on fundraising matters. After an introduction, a recent blog starts: “The Third Sector in Aotearoa has significant size. It represents around 4% of GDP and about the same percent of the workforce. The workforce is larger than either Agriculture or Tourism, two Read more
(In this post we use the term ‘charity’ generically to include such terms as public good entity, non-profit, registered charity, society, foundation, ngo and so on.) -o0o- Charity work is a “noble cause”; many are attracted to it because of the satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with helping others. Starting Read more
With a number of charities struggling to survive, and news recently of a number closing down or seriously considering it (see note below), it was good to see some financial advice for charities recently posted from Andrew Austin of Jarden Wealth. The article starts: “Charities play a crucial role in Read more
A recent newsletter from RAINEY COLLINS LAWYERS discussed the above topic. The article starts: “There are some key differences between charitable trusts and incorporated societies. Which entity works best for you will depend on the type and goals of your organisation. Incorporated society An incorporated society is a membership-based organisation. Read more
In a recent newsletter, RAINEY COLLINS LAWYERS published an article with the above title. The article commences: “A Society, which was a registered charity, held an AGM for the purposes of voting on new officers as the term of some of the current officers had expired. A member was nominated Read more
One of the changes made by the Charities Amendment Act 2023 is that all charities now have a statutory duty to review their governance procedures at least every 3 years. The requirement came into effect on 5 October 2023. These governance procedures, and your review of them, includes two Read more
Q: Social Investment has been in the news since the topic was raised in the budget this year, but what is it? A: Simply put, Social Investment bridges the gap between financial markets and social good and refers to the use of repayable finance to help organizations achieve a social Read more
Non-profit boards play a critical role in advancing the mission of the organisation and serving its constituents. To achieve these goals, board meetings need to be productive and effective. Here are some tips on how to run successful non-profit board meetings: Other Resources: What are the elements of a good Read more
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A “legal update” from lawyers MinterEllisonRuddWatts at the end of last year tackled the challenges facing advocacy organisations wishing to apply for charitable status. “The challenges faced by advocacy organisations seeking charitable status Better Public Media Trust v Attorney-General was a recent case before the Court of Appeal that grappled with Read more