Funds raised go towards a suite of holistic child protection services including education and training and specialist counselling and support for children and their families affected by child sexual assault and exploitation. Bravehearts disseminates the funds as needed to achieve our strategic goals. This way, you know that your hard work is helping those who need it most.

There are two types of official Bravehearts’ receipts that can be issued:

• A non tax-deductible receipt

This is issued when a donor gets something in return for their giving. In other words, a tax deduction isn’t available (and only a non-tax deductable receipt can be issued) if you, for example, receive goods or services at a charity auction or you obtain entry to an event.

• A tax-deductible receipt

This is issued when a donor receives nothing in return (in other words, for a pure monetary donation). If requested, Bravehearts can provide you with a tax-deductable receipt book for your event or activity.

Note:

• Tax-deductible receipts can only be issued to people who donate $2 or more.
• You cannot claim a personal tax deduction for monies received and/or donated on behalf of others.
• You cannot claim a tax deduction for gifts that are donated to your activity.

Understanding your responsibilities, including fundraising laws in your State or Territory, is very important. Depending on what activity you decide to hold, you may need to check with local authorities to make sure you comply with local regulations. To collect money on private property, you will need the owner or landlord’s permission. To solicit donations on the street, you may require a license from your local authority or council. To solicit donations at a local fete or organised community event you may also need to gain permission from the event organiser. It is the responsibility of the Community Fundraiser to ensure adequate public liability insurance cover is held in relation to your fundraising activity. Public liability insurance may be provided by Bravehearts but only in exceptional circumstances. For fundraising legislations in your state, please read local government requirements here.

There are 3 options:

• Deposit money online to your fundraising page.

• Direct deposit- fill this Bank Deposit Form which includes our bank details, and return to us via email (whiteballoonday@bravehearts.org.au) after depositing the funds.

• Go into a bank branch and deposit money into Bravehearts account – when deposited please fill out this Bank Deposit Form and send to whiteballoonday@bravehearts.org.au.

As a community fundraiser, you are responsible for all financial aspects of your activity or event, including record keeping, management of funds and for depositing funds into the nominated Bravehearts bank account within 14 days of the fundraising event.

Please note that Bravehearts is not responsible for any expenses that the community fundraiser may incur or any losses that may occur from an event. As the community fundraiser, it is your responsibility to keep a record of the expenses that have been incurred and deduct the expenses from the funds raised, provided it is appropriately documented.

You may be approached during your event by members of the public who have been affected by child sexual assault or exploitation in some way or by a survivor of child sexual assault  or exploitation.  In addition, you may be asked detailed and/or confronting questions about our cause.  Please follow the following guidelines for handling such situations:

• Acknowledge the person;
• Let them know that you are not qualified to give advice and are not a Bravehearts staff member and that the question is a little out of your area (as a Community Fundraiser);
• Suggest that they contact Bravehearts directly with questions or concerns and offer a brochure if you have any. Explain that the best option may be to e-mail Bravehearts through our website so that the appropriate person can answer their questions or concerns;
• Let them know that our website has a lot of information and resources and suggest that they might want to have a look.

If someone discloses to you during your event, it is important that you acknowledge the survivor for trusting you with the disclosure and let them know that Bravehearts is able to support them (or their child) in the disclosure.  This assault may have occurred a long time ago and they might not have told many people – if anyone.  Please do not provide personal opinions or views as these could be misleading to the survivor and may be in contrast to Bravehearts’ official position.  Please review the following guidelines:

• Acknowledge and thank the person for trusting you with the disclosure;
• Let them know that you are not a staff member of Bravehearts and, as a Community Fundraiser, you are not involved in working with survivors. It is important that the person is not dismissed just because you cannot help them;
• Let them know that Bravehearts has a freecall line, 1 800 BRAVE1 (1800 272 831), which they may like to call to speak with a qualified counsellor to support them (or their child);
• Suggest that they visit our website for more information and resources; or offer them an informational brochure.

There are many ways that you can assist Bravehearts.  Please visit our website at the following to see more ideas.

• Encourage your workplace to get involved in Workplace Giving;
• Talk to your school principal about getting our Ditto Education Program into your local school (see our website for locations);
• Sign up for our e-newsletter;
• Become a follower on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram;
• Recommend Bravehearts to your friends, family and colleagues;
• Become a Regular Giver.

Send a message to  whiteballoonday@bravehearts.org.au and one of our team members will get back to you shortly.

The Fundraise section of this website will provide you with step-by-step guide to fundraising, tools for you to download and plenty of useful advice.

You can download posters, flyers, video, social media artwork and logos in the Resources section of this website.