Loading
right to information
Email a friend Print this page A | A | A
Home > Charitable fundraising > What is a fundraising appeal?

What is a fundraising appeal?

The soliciting or receiving of any money, property or other benefit from the public constitutes a fundraising appeal if a representation is made (this may be implied) that the appeal is for a charitable purpose or for the support of an organisation having a charitable object.

An appeal may take a variety of forms — donations, sponsorship, telethons, the conduct of lotteries and competitions, the supply of food, entertainment or other goods or services, or in connection with any other commercial undertaking. A membership drive undertaken by an organisation is a fundraising appeal if one of the objects of the organisation is a charitable object.

The term is not limited to simple collections from the public.

Each of the following do not constitute a fundraising appeal for the purposes of the Act (section 5)

We recognise that persons or organisations may from time to time undertake certain projects and activities which by their nature are not intended as a fundraising appeal. These may include activities such as the publication of an information handbook or the sale of equipment at cost or at a nominal mark-up (eg. blood-testing strips to diabetics), production of stage plays by drama groups, etc. on a cost recovery basis.

These activities may constitute an appeal for purposes of the Act. If in doubt, you are advised to seek a ruling from us about the status of these types of activities.