Quality, sustainable management ensures giving makes a difference, writes Michael Snedic.

At the end of each year, the Australian Sustainability Awards pays tribute to outstanding efforts and achievements by Australian organisations. The awards luncheon and ceremony is to be held in Sydney on December 11th 2006 and it is the sixth time that the awards have been held. There are two award categories, one for “Best Community Project” and the other for “Best Practice Non-profit Organisation”. One of the finalists for the latter category is Rainforest Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation that provides everyday people, as well as organisations and businesses, an opportunity to save our rainforests for current and future generations.

The awards are hosted by Givewell, an organisation whose aim is to play a key role in fostering a better culture of giving in Australia. This is achieved by conducting research on charities and generating ideas on better ways to give. The criteria for the awards are organisations, which are transparent, well managed and fully accountable. Rainforest Rescue certainly fits into these categories. “We’ve kept cost extremely low by obtaining professional management support on a pro bono basis. Secretarial, bookkeeping and accounting service are provided to us for free from supporting businesses. We also have the support of Pricewaterhouse Coopers for our auditing and Clayton Utz for legal support” said Kelvin Davies, Executive Director of Rainforest Rescue. “Keeping costs low helps us achieve our goals which are also the aspirations of our supporters - to save our rainforests for current and future generations” said Kelvin.

Whether Rainforest Rescue wins the award or not makes little difference, as being a finalist is a real accomplishment in itself. The public needs to know that the money they are donating not only helps our environment and future but every dollar donated is used wisely and goes to where it is needed most.

“One of our most popular projects is the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project. For each $2 donated, one square metre of the Daintree rainforest is saved,” said Kelvin. That’s value for money. Anyone interested in helping buy back and protect pristine rainforest destined for clearing and development can contact Rainforest Rescue on 1300 763 611 or visit their website www.rainforestrescue.org for further information. All donations are tax deductible.