Fresh charity model makes claiming $60,000 back easy

MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate release
20th April 2017

Fresh charity model makes claiming $60,000 back easy for members

As a New Zealand taxpayer, if you donate more than $5.00 to a registered charity, and have a compliant receipt, you can claim back one third from IRD on your tax return.

For the 300 members of One Percent Collective, a Wellington-based organisation whose members give 1% of their income to a number of New Zealand charities, there is over $60,000 up for grabs from the tax year that ended 31 March 2017.

One Percent Collective founder Pat Shepherd stated, “Our ethos is to make donating to good causes as easy as possible. A big part of this is ensuring that our members have an easy process to claim back a third on their charitable donations.”

“Our members can share one regular donation between up to 11 of our partner charities. Then, at the end of the financial year, we provide one annual donation receipt that covers the whole year’s donations.” says Shepherd.

“This makes things a lot easier when it comes to claiming back.”

IRD states that there is currently around $200m in total owed to charitable Kiwis, however, they estimate that only roughly half of that will likely end up claimed.

“We have just sent out donation receipts to our members, and have encouraged them to claim their rebate back with step-by-step instructions.” says Shepherd.

- The Collective currently has over 300 members.
- Over the last financial year, their donations total over $190,000
- The portion of that that can be claimed back by members is over $60,000

One of the key principles of One Percent Collective is to provide a transparent donation experience and create an inclusive feeling for members of the Collective.

100% of member’s donations reach their chosen charities and they receive monthly stories and updates on the impact their donations have. This is possible through the One Percent Collective ‘Future 50’ and supporting sponsors who back their innovative approach and ethos.

The Collective are focused on bringing younger generations into the charity world and encouraging giving. The 1% model is scalable, so as to be accessible to people from all walks of life and all income levels.

“1% is 1%, it’s about giving, not how much you give. If all of us with an income were to do it, we could easily fund our charities to make amazing things happen.” Shepherd added.

The group certainly proves this mantra. Just this month, Shepherd transferred over $44,000 to their partner charities. This was the total raised by members over the Jan-Feb-March quarter, with most members giving no more than $10 per week.

They believe in ‘positive marketing’, and aim to inspire by sharing the partner charity impact stories on social media. They also regularly host events where members of the Collective can get together with the partner charities and staff to meet the people running things and see the work for themselves.

The events often have a live music element, with Kiwi musicians who support the 1% ethos playing for members. In the past local musos such as Thomas Oliver, Warren Maxwell and Louis Baker have generously graced the One Percent Collective stage.

Another of the key ideas behind One Percent Collective is to provide ‘untagged’ funding to the partner charities on a regular basis. Untagged funds are funds that are not tied to a specific project or purpose.

Shepherd explains “this means the charity has the freedom to be innovative and creative with the funding, to try new ideas if need be”.

Sarah Longbottom, Executive Director of Nga Rangatahi Toa (one of the One Percent Collective partner charities), sings the praises of this funding model. “Having untagged funding is a charitable trust’s wet dream”.

Neil O’Styke, Executive Director of The Neonatal Trust, was also raving about the Collective. “The One Percent Collective is a wonderful model and it’s a privilege to be one of their accredited Partner Charities.” He added “Being able to plan with certainty around funds coming in every quarter makes a huge difference and us more effective”

Both Nga Rangatahi Toa and The Neonatal Trust are One Percent Collective partner charities. Those wanting to learn more and/or support can do so by visiting www.onepercentcollective.org

Key statistics:
· IRD states that up to $200m could be claimed back by those who donate.
· One Percent Collective’s 300 members themselves are eligible to claim back over $60,000
· 100% of members donations reach their chosen charities
· Collective members can share their donation between any or all of the 11 partner charities.
· Total raised in 2017 first quarter - $44,966.43
· Total raised by members since One Percent Collective’s inception - $380,555.86

ENDS

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