Charitable donations by Australian households rose 10% in financial year 2023, according to the JBWere NAB Charitable Giving Index. Charitable donations increased to levels not seen since before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, however the number of donors remains flat.

JBWere Head of Philanthropic Services and Family Advisory Shamal Dass said that while the recovery was pleasing, an estimated $3 billion worth of donations had been lost over the past three years.

“The COVID-19 era was extremely challenging for many charitable organisations,” Mr Dass said. “Not only did we see a significant drop in giving across the country, but recovery stalled within the general population as many Australians dealt with cost-of-living pressures. These same pressures are driving up demand for services and support that the for-purpose sector provides.”

Giving by high-net-worth households and corporates continued to growth and funding for the health, culture and the arts sectors saw an uptick in funding (recovering from significant lows). Giving for animal protection and environmental causes – which saw a substantial spike during the 2019 bushfires – has not recovered.

Interestingly, the younger generation (18-34 years) increased their charitable giving, demonstrating a commitment to social causes. This shift in giving behavior could be attributed to the increasing influence of technology and social media, which raise awareness about societal issues. Notably, the report highlights a surge in digital donations, contributing to the overall increase in philanthropic activities.