18 July 2024

Indifference – a threat to community organisations

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Indifference - a threat to community organisations!

A new report has found strong support for Australian charities and community organisations, including the need for increased funding and support, but there is an emerging minority of Australians who are less engaged and less supportive of charities and not-for-profits.

The Community Compass report – released today – is based on research from 89 Degrees East for Our Community and CCA. It involved over 3000 participants and segmented the Australian community into six categories based on attitudes to community organisations and the level of engagement in volunteering, giving and supporting the activities of charities and community groups.

While the vast majority of Australians believe we should be doing more to support our charities and community organisations, there is a cohort of disengaged and disinterested people who lead researcher Dr Rebecca Huntley described as “a red flag for the future of the sector”.

The “Indifferent Uninvolved” represented 20% of the population. Three quarters of this group rejected the idea that people who were better off should help the less fortunate, equity and fairness were not highly valued, they were less likely to donate or engage with charities and community groups, tended to be younger, located in cities, more likely to use social media platforms and less likely to use traditional media.

David Crosbie, CEO of the CCA said, “this is a very positive report finding that most Australians believe we all do better when charities and community groups do better. But like the researchers, I am concerned about the decline of fundamental values in our community, the growing sense of indifference, and the implications this may have for Australia.

Charities employ over 1.4 million Australians and turn over more than $200 billion. If the broader community becomes less engaged, donates less and no longer supports values like equality of opportunity, it could further deplete the capacity of a sector already struggling with rising costs, increasing demand and limited income.”

The researchers identified five other categories based on attitudes and engagement with charities and community groups: Enthusiastic Engaged (20%), Positive Preoccupied (16%), Isolated Believers (16%), Active Traditionalists (17%), and Begrudging Bygones (10%).

Mr Crosbie suggested, “charities and community groups should look carefully at this report’s findings. It may mean that as a sector we need to place more emphasis on spelling out the way we contribute to the economy, productivity and the wellbeing of Australians, rather than promoting values like fairness and equality that may not resonate with everyone in our communities.”

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Study reveals six Aussie types when it comes to thinking about community

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Study reveals six Aussie types when it comes to thinking about community

Groundbreaking research has revealed significant differences in the way the nation perceives the community sector.

The Community Compass report – released today – examined attitudes to the huge third sector, a part of the economy that spans the smallest suburban sports clubs, mid-sized not-for-profits and the nation’s biggest charities. Totalling an estimated 600,000 groups in Australia, these organisations employ more than one million people.

The study found most Australians agree that the community sector makes the world a better place, with half the nation keen to contribute more to it if they had the spare time. But the report also uncovered stark differences in views about community funding, advocacy and participation.

The report, commissioned by the social enterprise Our Community and the community sector peak body the Community Council for Australia, is based on a rigorous survey of more than 3000 people.

The study was conducted by the strategic policy research firm 89 Degrees East and divided Australians into six attitudinal segments:

Enthusiastic Engaged (20%) The strongest supporters of the community sector, people in this group are active supporters of community organisations.

Positive Preoccupied (16%) Broadly supportive of the sector, but lack the time and energy to be more involved because of competing demands such as work and raising children.

Isolated Believers (16%) Are of the view that the community sector fills critical gaps left by government and the private sector, that it deserves more government funding, and that service delivery should be prioritised over advocacy.

Active Traditionalists (17%) Above average contributors to community organisations, people in this group believe the role of the community sector is to care for those in need rather than to get involved in politics.

Indifferent Uninvolved (20%) At best hold neutral views or have no opinion about the community sector and its impact.

Begrudging Bygones (10%) People in this more conservative group are likely to be active contributors to their community but are concerned society is going downhill and are nostalgic for a time when people were more connected.

Other key findings:
• More than 71% of Australians think community organisations make the world a better place
• Sports and recreation clubs are the type of organisations Australians most commonly associate with the community sector
• Most Australians (72%) believe the more people are involved in community activities, the stronger community is
• About 48% of people said they would like to help more in their community but don’t have the time
• Almost half of Australians (49%) believe community organisations should stick to serving their communities and stay out of politics.

Charities Minister Andrew Leigh – who wrote the study’s foreword – described the findings as “a call to action”.

“It challenges policymakers, community leaders, and citizens alike to recognise the contributions of the community sector. By understanding and addressing the diverse attitudes of Australians, we can better support community organisations and build a fairer, more cohesive society.”

89 Degrees East research director Dr Rebecca Huntley said, “the picture that emerges from this research is a mixed one, with cause for both celebration and concern for anyone in the sector or invested in its future.”

Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie described the Community Compass report as “compelling reading for every charity leader in Australia with an interest in engaging their community”.

“This report ensures we will be having better informed and more robust debates about the place of our sector within Australia.”

Our Community group managing director Denis Moriarty said the “cracking survey” showed for the first time what Australians really thought about charities and not-for-profits.

“Most Australians are in favour of the community sector and would like to contribute more themselves, but can’t do as much as they like, and if we want to build community, we should try and reduce those barriers.”

Read the report: communitydirectors.com.au/research/community-compass

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