Each year on 5 September, the United Nations marks International Day of Charity, a day to recognise the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian issues and building more inclusive societies. It’s a call to action for everyone to consider how they can contribute to help others through philanthropic activities such as donating money and volunteering their time and skills.
So what is a charity? In Australia, a charity is a special type of not-for-profit organisation that exists purely to make a positive difference for the community. Unlike a regular business, charities can’t distribute profits to owners or shareholders — every dollar they raise must go back into their mission. Charities are regulated (they must be registered with the ACNC Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission) and impact-driven (with measurable social, environmental, or cultural outcomes).
- advancing health
- advancing education
- advancing social or public welfare
- advancing religion
- advancing culture
- promoting reconciliation, mutual respect and tolerance between groups of individuals that are in Australia
- promoting or protecting human rights
- advancing the security or safety of Australia or the Australian public
- preventing or relieving the suffering of animals
- advancing the natural environment
- other similar purposes ‘beneficial to the general public’, and
- promoting or opposing a change to any matter established by law, policy or practice in the Commonwealth, a state, a territory or another country (where that change furthers or opposes one or more of the purposes above)
Did you know?
There are over 59,000 registered charities in Australia. They collectively employ 1.4 million people (about 10% of the workforce) and engage 3.2 million volunteers (about 13% of Australia’s population) [Source: ACNC].
Many charities also have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, which means donations to them are tax-deductible for individuals and businesses. You can apply for DGR status through the ATO (Australian Tax Office).
The Australian charities sector accounted for over $222 billion in revenue in 2023—a surge of 10.7 % year-on-year, notably outperforming the national economy’s growth of just 1.4 %.
61% of Australians agree charities unlock our fundamental human duty to help others—and 50% believe partnering with charities is socially responsible [Source: ACNC].
Why is this important for you as a for profit business?
Setting up a charity or partnering with one isn’t just about doing good—it’s about building a smarter, more resilient business strategy. Brand credibility leads to commercial success, with customers increasingly backing businesses seen as socially purposeful.
Employees, especially Gen Y and Z, want to work where values and actions align, and a clear charitable strategy strengthens employee loyalty while reducing employee turnover. By collaborating with charities as an impact partner, you can scale your business — by leveraging their expertise, networks, and credibility in solving real-world social and environmental issues, while maintaining a focus on your core business within your for-profit model.
Starting a charity can unlock government grants, tax concessions, and new revenue streams through philanthropic donations by individuals or organisations. Establishing a charity or partnering with one is a pathway to greater social licence to operate in the community, attracting and retaining talent who want to contribute to organisations with a dedicated social purpose, and the ability to create greater social impact by accessing new markets and networks.
“One example is Who Gives A Crap, a certified B Corp that donates 50% of its profits to sanitation charities. By embedding purpose into its business model, the company has raised over $11 million for impact partners and attracted global investment to expand operations. Their success shows how aligning with a charitable mission can drive both brand loyalty and commercial growth.” [Source: Smart Company].
Where can I explore existing charities in Australia?
The ACNC Charity Register is a reliable and transparent starting point for researching existing charities in Australia. It offers comprehensive information on thousands of registered organisations.
Five Australian charities worth having a look
- FightMND – Founded by AFL legend Neale Daniher, FightMND rallies national awareness and funding for Motor Neurone Disease research. Their annual “Big Freeze” raises millions—and has become an iconic Aussie movement.
- Orange Sky Laundry – Social entrepreneurs bringing mobile laundry (and conversation) to Australia’s homeless communities. Over 10 vans nationally, run on volunteer-fuelled goodwill.
- Grata Fund – Empowering communities to fight for justice through the courts. By funding landmark litigation on climate action, human rights, and democracy, Grata levels the playing field so ordinary Australians can hold powerful institutions to account.
- The Sunrise Project – Headquartered in Sydney, they mobilise global climate-justice movements to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
- FareShare – Rescuing surplus food and turning it into thousands of healthy meals in their charity kitchens across Melbourne and Brisbane—supported by volunteers and corporate teams alike.
Looking for a Charity to Partner with? Start here.
- Start small—donate or dedicate 1–5% of profits from your venture to a cause that aligns with your brand’s values. Structure the partnership for visibility and impact.
- Offer staff paid volunteering time for hands-on skills exchange days with charities like Orange Sky or FareShare. It builds team culture and purposeful work within your organisation.
- Enter into in-kind partnerships. If you’re a creative agency, volunteer strategy support to a charity for their campaigns. If you’re a tech firm, offer data-driven tools to charities. This leads to collaborative impact with minimal overheads.
- Co-sponsor or co-brand charity events or campaigns. The “Big Freeze” by FightMND is a perfect example—aligning your business can bring both brand exposure and authentic purpose.
- Measure and communicate impact. Set real KPIs: eg. the number of meals served, volunteer hours donated, hectares restored, research dollars funded. Share them internally and with customers and investors—purpose drives value only when it’s communicated.
Want to learn more about partnering with a charity?
Check out these case studies, where for-profit companies and social enterprises are giving back by partnering with charities:
- Canva provides its platform free to educators and not-for-profits, including charities. That mission has just passed some remarkable milestones. More than 100 million teachers and students, and 870,000 NFPs in 190 countries now benefit, a gift valued at $1.5bn annually. On top of this, the Canva Foundation gave out $50m+ last year. Read more.
- Little Ripples is an Australian wine brand where for every bottle of wine sold, Little Ripples provides clean drinking water to one person for a year. This initiative has already benefited over 500,000 individuals in disadvantaged communities across Africa and India. In 2023, the company partnered with organisations like Accor Hotels, German Airlines, and Pernod Ricard Winemakers, significantly expanding their reach and impact. The for-profit social enterprise partners with the BridgIT Water Foundation, a registered charity, to implement its water projects.
Impact Business School has supported the charity the Freedom Hub by donating event profits to its Survivor School, which helps survivors of modern slavery in Australia to rebuild their lives through training and education. We’d love to share how you can also partner with a charity to bring your values to life through business.
Ready to align your business strategy with a charity?
Whether you want to set up a charity, partner with an existing charity, or embed social purpose into your business strategy, now is the time to act. Connect with Patricia Kaziro at Impact Business School for a 1:1 advisory session. Together, we’ll explore practical steps to align your business strategy with a cause you care about, driving measurable social or ecological impact, to strengthen your brand, culture, and growth.
Email: patricia@theimpactleague.com
Book a time in my calendar
Impact Business School is a premier global learning institution that empowers business leaders, athletes and professionals to build sustainable, profitable, and impactful enterprises.
We are known for business excellence and embedding social impact and sustainability within business. Our world-class programs equip leaders with the strategic tools, inner capacity, and collaborative networks to tackle complex global challenges—while building businesses that thrive.
Learn more: Impact Business School
