Donations --asking For Help

[Guest muttrus]

I personally don't ask for donations of money as I feel rude.However if people offer I ask for doggie goods that way they go straight to the dog and the money I save by not buying food or meds then goes to pay the vet .

I also try to give something back recently a lady donated (it was her second time donating) so I posted her a brag book filled with photos I had taken of my foster dogs .

I see alot of different groups asking for money to cover LARGE vet bills while its great if people want to donate and its of free will IS there a rule or protocol that must be followed?

such as proof what the money is for? how much was raised? receipt saying is was paid? something along those lines.

OR

Is it all a matter of good faith and anyone who donates just assumes its all above board.I know noone would like to think there are people out there abusing this issue but Im sure it may have still is happening.

I always like to be honest and true so when someone donated $100 to us I kept every reciept took a photo of what I had used the money for ---In this case it was 2 bags 20kg kibble,dog jumpers,worming tables,puppy chew toys training treats etc.I posted the photo with a thankyou note on our facebook page AFTER I had emailed the details to the lady who sent the donation.

I get worried that people may see giving a donation as suss so I always make sure everything is covered and the GIVER knows what was done with their gift.Am I being over the top?

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I don't believe so. I believe in transparency - I have done much the same as you on 1 or 2 previous occasions when I was taking a dog from a pound and some DOL members contributed towards the costs. They've all received an excel spreadsheet with the costs detailed.

For my own rescue, I keep a spreadsheet detailing all the costs associated with each dog I rescue (transport, kennel, vets etc). It's scary as it shows that I'm several thousand dollars behind, no surprise but tough when you see it in print!

The reason I do this is so that if I get my Clause 16D or ever have someone who is dissatisfied with me for some reason, everything has been documented and I cannot be accused of ever making a profit.

There are those out there who believe that when I do a homecheck that I 'm getting paid for it or my petrol is reimbursed - if only!

A friend asked what I wanted for Christmas and I asked for (and got) dog food!

[Jade~Harley~Bella]

I personally don't ask for donations of money as I feel rude.However if people offer I ask for doggie goods that way they go straight to the dog and the money I save by not buying food or meds then goes to pay the vet .

I also try to give something back recently a lady donated (it was her second time donating) so I posted her a brag book filled with photos I had taken of my foster dogs .

I see alot of different groups asking for money to cover LARGE vet bills while its great if people want to donate and its of free will IS there a rule or protocol that must be followed?

such as proof what the money is for? how much was raised? receipt saying is was paid? something along those lines.

OR

Is it all a matter of good faith and anyone who donates just assumes its all above board.I know noone would like to think there are people out there abusing this issue but Im sure it may have still is happening.

I always like to be honest and true so when someone donated $100 to us I kept every reciept took a photo of what I had used the money for ---In this case it was 2 bags 20kg kibble,dog jumpers,worming tables,puppy chew toys training treats etc.I posted the photo with a thankyou note on our facebook page AFTER I had emailed the details to the lady who sent the donation.

I get worried that people may see giving a donation as suss so I always make sure everything is covered and the GIVER knows what was done with their gift.Am I being over the top?

I think it's great! It gives people a chance to see where there money goes

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[keetamouse]

I always ask people to donate towards my vet bills, that way they ring the vet directly, which is all above board and they can get a receipt sent to them from the vet.

If I don't have anything owing (which is rare) then I accept money if this is what they are wanting to do to help then I give them a receipt, or they usually don't want one.

Some over he years have put an extra $50 in with the adoption fee.

Maree

CPR

[rebelsquest]

I personally don't ask for donations of money as I feel rude.However if people offer I ask for doggie goods that way they go straight to the dog and the money I save by not buying food or meds then goes to pay the vet .

I also try to give something back recently a lady donated (it was her second time donating) so I posted her a brag book filled with photos I had taken of my foster dogs .

I see alot of different groups asking for money to cover LARGE vet bills while its great if people want to donate and its of free will IS there a rule or protocol that must be followed?

such as proof what the money is for? how much was raised? receipt saying is was paid? something along those lines.

OR

Is it all a matter of good faith and anyone who donates just assumes its all above board.I know noone would like to think there are people out there abusing this issue but Im sure it may have still is happening.

I always like to be honest and true so when someone donated $100 to us I kept every reciept took a photo of what I had used the money for ---In this case it was 2 bags 20kg kibble,dog jumpers,worming tables,puppy chew toys training treats etc.I posted the photo with a thankyou note on our facebook page AFTER I had emailed the details to the lady who sent the donation.

I get worried that people may see giving a donation as suss so I always make sure everything is covered and the GIVER knows what was done with their gift.Am I being over the top?

I'm not involved with rescue, but try and donate when I can. It is hard to know who is reputable, and there can be worry that my donation is not going to the animals. I think what you do is great, and would give me much confidence and peace of mind if donating to you .

[Greyt]

Well, if you incorporated as a not for profit, you would have a board and a treasurer and your accounts would have to be audited. Legally, you probably can't take donations unless you are incorporated.

If not, your approach is solid as is Keetamouse's.

As Dogmad implies, you will always be out many $$$. For accounting purposes, you should put a $ amount on a home check, drive to the pound, foster carer's, every phone call you make and take, putting up ads, food and equipment you buy etc.

[Little Gifts]

As someone who donates mine and other people's money I have fundraised to rescue every month I can tell you that I know rescue costs will forever far exceed anything I donate. I don't care if you spend 'my' money on toys for the dogs to destroy because I know you will also be spending money on the basics such as food and vet fees as well. I also have no concerns about donating to rescue groups interstate (as well as locally) or to groups or individual rescue because the need is everywhere and I do it for the dogs. Their love and trust knows no boundaries so why should my commitment? My motivation to donate is partly because I am not rescuing myself and am therefore not spending money directly on animal care, and partly because I desire change. Before I die I'd like to live in a society where animals were not so disposable.

I can also tell you that when I first started donating, particularly when I donated items, I desperately wanted a little thank you. But then I realised how unrealistic that was and that it detracted from rescuers doing their work. I realised that meant I was doing it for me and not for the dogs. So I would be horrified if you kept detailed notes of how you spent my money or took time to send me photos or updates. I'd much rather you spent that precious time on the dogs! If I want to know how you spent my money all I need to do is ask. I am not your accountant and I am not the tax man - it is not my business how you manage the limited finances that rescue attracts against the potentially huge outlays.

As for the people who use our office book club or who partake in raffles or other fundraising activities I regularly run, not one of them has ever questioned me about where the money goes. Not one in three years. They don't even ask who I give it to (which is always my choice) let alone want to know which dogs or what equipment or treatment it was spent on.

My last comment is that those of us who donate do not know you are in need unless you say so. I have two places I regularly donate to but if there is a specific dog with specific needs that comes to my attention then I can divert funds anyway I choose and for however long I choose. So if I don't know I can't help.

[yellowgirl]

I also prefer donations to go direct to my vet, that's where most of my money goes anyway. My dogs have everything they need in regards to food, toys, bedding, etc and if a kind person donates any of these items I pass them along to another rescue that I know can use them... I also let the person who donated the items know how very much their kindness is appreciated and if the item hasn't been needed here, they can rest assured that another rescue dog has benefited from their generosity

[Panto]

As someone who donates mine and other people's money I have fundraised to rescue every month I can tell you that I know rescue costs will forever far exceed anything I donate. I don't care if you spend 'my' money on toys for the dogs to destroy because I know you will also be spending money on the basics such as food and vet fees as well. I also have no concerns about donating to rescue groups interstate (as well as locally) or to groups or individual rescue because the need is everywhere and I do it for the dogs. Their love and trust knows no boundaries so why should my commitment? My motivation to donate is partly because I am not rescuing myself and am therefore not spending money directly on animal care, and partly because I desire change. Before I die I'd like to live in a society where animals were not so disposable.

I can also tell you that when I first started donating, particularly when I donated items, I desperately wanted a little thank you. But then I realised how unrealistic that was and that it detracted from rescuers doing their work. I realised that meant I was doing it for me and not for the dogs. So I would be horrified if you kept detailed notes of how you spent my money or took time to send me photos or updates. I'd much rather you spent that precious time on the dogs! If I want to know how you spent my money all I need to do is ask. I am not your accountant and I am not the tax man - it is not my business how you manage the limited finances that rescue attracts against the potentially huge outlays.

As for the people who use our office book club or who partake in raffles or other fundraising activities I regularly run, not one of them has ever questioned me about where the money goes. Not one in three years. They don't even ask who I give it to (which is always my choice) let alone want to know which dogs or what equipment or treatment it was spent on.

My last comment is that those of us who donate do not know you are in need unless you say so. I have two places I regularly donate to but if there is a specific dog with specific needs that comes to my attention then I can divert funds anyway I choose and for however long I choose. So if I don't know I can't help.

So very well said PS, from an incredibly true generous heart.

I do see benefit in keep track, for example, like dogmad does, because the one day someone does come along to make waves which can take up sooo much precious time (even though they're not worth it), it can be dealt with swiftly because you have kept apt records.

[mita]

I like the idea of donating directly into a vet's account, as keetamouse posted. Vet fees are one of the highest costs for rescuers. Yet they're essential for quality care. I admire the adopters she's described, who add $50 or so on to the purchase price. I bet those folk have figured out that rescuers put far, far more into their work than adoption fees can ever cover.

I also like dogmad's & (& others) emphasis on transparency re any moneys received.

When I know a rescuer very well.....I'll say, when handing over a donation, 'I don't care how you spend this. It's entirely up to you. I don't even care if it's used towards petrol for your car or towards your massive phone bill.'

Most decent rescuers never ask for anything to cover their own personal costs.....like petrol or car maintenance or phone bill.

Their first thought is always on costs directly associated with the dogs.

[meganmm]

As a rescue group with deductible gift recipient status we provide tax receipts to anyone who donates funds to us.

I keep detailed records of the vet bills we seek special sponsorship for and the subsequent donations we receive towards that bill. Although noone has ever asked to see the vet bill or a breakdown of the costs but if they did it's all there for them to see and of course, we are independently audited each year which should give the public a degree of confidence that their money is going where they want it to

[Greyt]

When I know a rescuer very well.....I'll say, when handing over a donation, 'I don't care how you spend this. It's entirely up to you. I don't even care if it's used towards petrol for your car or towards your massive phone bill.'

Most decent rescuers never ask for anything to cover their own personal costs.....like petrol or car maintenance or phone bill.

Their first thought is always on costs directly associated with the dogs.

And they most certainly do not put a dollar figure on their time. Even minimum wage is about $15.50 per hour.

For phone bills, you really should be looking at these....

Live Connected Rates

Amaysim Rates

Both are Optus Re-sellers and offer unlimited/as good as unlimited calls and SMS for around $40 per month.

If you need Telstra because of your location, even their pre-paid rates are good value for money these days.

Telstra Rates

Edited January 6, 2012 by Greyt

[~Anne~]

I operated as a hobby and refused financial contributions. I was happy to accept goods for the dogs though, such as bowls, food or blankets.

[sas]

Yes there are rules, here in NSW....

You need to have a licence to fundraise.....rules are different in different states.

A licence to fundraise is needed even if you're just being given food or beds etc.

In NSW, you can view info here: http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/charitable_is_auth_req.asp

We are currently going through licencing now as we have made changes to how we fundraise.

Edited January 7, 2012 by MEH

[~Anne~]

Meh, is that even if you do not actively seek donations of any type? To my knowledge, the things I was given were gifts not donations.

Not sure if you recall the text on my website that you created for my rescue. There was never any mention of needs, wish lists, donations or anything remotely similar.

[Little Gifts]

I can apprecaite the need to 'legally' fundraise because there are unscrupulous people out there who pretend to be representing not for profit organisations. Rescue groups that become incorporated can also offer tax receipts, which is an encouragement for some people to dig into their pockets. I can also appreciate other rescuers asking for monies to go directly to a vet bill or transport company or only asking for goods. I really think the more options the better. But still for me it is about the dogs and I don't care how a group or individual rescuer operates - if I feel they are genuine at what they are doing and a dog is in need (even if said dog doesn't make it through treatment) I will provide money or goods or pay for services rendered. I'm sure there are others like me out there. There are a couple of things I am uncomfortable about providing towards (which not everyone will agree with) - mid to late terminations where it is not necessary for the safety of the mother and long term kennelling where foster placement or return to home options are not being actively sought (ie taking into consideration Pacers where the aim may be for the animal to return to its original owner when it is possible). I personally don't feel a dog has a chance of being rehomed if it remains too long in a kennel environment.

There are a couple of things I'd love to provide funds for - a joint foster carer recruitment drive between a couple of rescue groups (which I'm sure a big dog food company would also love to get behind) and retaining/training specialist foster carers. Wouldn't it just be awesome to have a difficult or sick dog come into your care and have somewhere special for it to go?!

[JRT RESCUE]

Anne from what I was told by the authorities that if you accept donations being money either by fund raising, donations etc you have to have a CFN which is gained through the Liquor and licensing board and that is also needed if you accept money into your vet account also because that is a donation.

To issue a tax receipt for donations you have to applied to the Tax office for exempt of tax and charity status.

You can do all of this without being incorporated.

At Jack Russell Rescue we receive a lot of donations which helps us keep going because I have a very large vet and kennel account which this goes straight to. All of my donations go into my Gift Fund account which you are required to have if you have charity status and a tax receipt is issued for each one and a registered is kept which is audited each year with my books.

[westiemum]

Same as puppy sniffer and Mita - great posts so not going to repeat here. Except we keep all receipts of expenses for every westie we rehome and pass these on to their new owner (excluding food and stuff like that) -not only for their records, but for transparency. When new owners see what it costs they understand the adoption fee and have never complained. In fact one new owner gave us an extra $100 dollars when she saw receipts of over 1k which was very kind of her.

So yes IMO you can never be too transparent.

[~Anne~]

Anne from what I was told by the authorities that if you accept donations being money either by fund raising, donations etc you have to have a CFN which is gained through the Liquor and licensing board and that is also needed if you accept money into your vet account also because that is a donation.

To issue a tax receipt for donations you have to applied to the Tax office for exempt of tax and charity status.

You can do all of this without being incorporated.

At Jack Russell Rescue we receive a lot of donations which helps us keep going because I have a very large vet and kennel account which this goes straight to. All of my donations go into my Gift Fund account which you are required to have if you have charity status and a tax receipt is issued for each one and a registered is kept which is audited each year with my books.

Thanks Jill, I was hoping to clarify the 'goods' donation bit though, instead of cash.

Does anyone know?

[mita]

I was hoping to clarify the 'goods' donation bit though, instead of cash.

Me, too, Anne. I've never been sure about the status of 'goods' as donations.

Or even what's counted as 'goods'. Surely it can't be things like food. AWL Qld has bins at various supermarkets which attract generous donations of food, treats, toys from the public. But, for the sake of argument, what if something 'big' is donated like a brand new freezer?

Edited January 8, 2012 by mita