By Our Community's staff writers

• GiveNow causes: Relief and goods | Firefighters | Animals | Health | Environment | Climate
• Bushfire campaigns not on GiveNow: Relief and goods | Firefighters & Recovery | Animals | Grants | Events
• Help by giving time (volunteering opportunities)
• Non-financial help for bushfire victims
• About some of the fundraisers
• Fake fundraiser alert, fundraising rules
• Further useful information

Hundreds of charities, not-for-profits and community organisations are doing their bit to counter the effect of Australia’s devastating and continuing bushfire emergencies.

From support for specific communities, to help for animals, rebuilding shattered lives, and one-off crowdfunding, people across the country have galvanised their efforts to assist others.

Most authorities now agree that the most effective way to help is by donating money, with estimates of money raised now exceeding $100 million. Would-be donors considering other forms of aid should check with relevant charities and authorities about what is really needed.

Our Community enterprise GiveNow is among the donations platforms channelling funds to those who need them most, and has seen one-off donations quadruple as thousands seek ways to support victims.

Organisations can only receive donations via GiveNow if they are a verified not-for-profit or charity, have an ABN and an authority to fundraise (if required), and have a verified bank account in the name of the organisation. 

Our Community has compiled a list of bushfire-related causes using GiveNow and other platforms below. Scroll for details, or search the site for other causes. You'll also find information on how your group, or one you support, can register to fundraise.

We've included some other useful information to help you avoid scammers, comply with fundraising laws, and plan your campaign. 

Contact service@ourcommunity.com.au if we're missing a major fundraiser.

Appeals to help those who’ve lost homes

Across the country, relief appeals are helping ease the pain of those who have lost everything.

Among them, the St Vincent de Paul Society has a national campaign to raise funds to provide food, clothing, furniture, and utility vouchers for those experiencing hardship. Home visits will also provide much-needed friendship and compassion.

The Anglican Relief and Development Fund Australia is providing help on Australia’s east coast, and needs money for relief and to support on-the-ground pastoral care by clergy, lay volunteers and emergency chaplains.

Surplus goods "matchmaker" Good360 is seeking funds to support its distribution of brand-new surplus goods. Good360 connects businesses with Australians in need to supply such things as furniture, mattresses, home goods and other necessities.

In Victoria, the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) – which has been around for 41 years – wants to assist fire-affected East Gippslanders.

Fund president John Mitchell said the appeal follows widespread damage.

“The funds we raise will be distributed to impacted families for discretionary use while insurance and government claims are being processed.”

In South Australia, the Shoe Boxes of Love organisation is organising small boxes of essentials for victims of fires in Queensland, SA, Victoria and NSW.

Firefighters need your help

Rural and country firefighting organisations are among those who have created fundraising pages to help with resources to let them continue to battle blazes.

Among them are members of the Rural Fire Service Association, which aims to help those on the frontlines with refreshments, clean T-shirts and hygiene items.

It's created a fund for firefighters and aims to raise $100,000 this fire season.

Both the Bayswater Country Fire Authority and the Research CFA have put a call out for new equipment, seeking support for new “slip-on” attack vehicles that can access hard-to-reach areas.

The Grose Vale and the Bargo rural firefighting units in NSW and the Hall RFS in the ACT have been involved in recent battles to save lives and property, and have fundraisers running.

Wildlife devastated by fires

Animal welfare organisations have stepped up to rescue and protect native fauna affected by bushfires that have torn through their habitat.

On the NSW mid-north coast, FAWNA is conducting a wildlife and nest box appeal to rehabilitate burnt animals and help them survive until conditions improve. They’re seeking cash donations to cover the costs of food, pharmaceutical products and housing for injured and starving animals.

The Blue Mountains Koala Project has seen a dozen rescued koalas moved from the Blue Mountains area to Taronga Zoo. The project is seeking funds to collect eucalyptus branches to feed the animals, and to cover the costs of transport when it’s safe to return them to the wild. The project will also continue searching for other survivors with a detection dog, setting up water supplies for those animals, and working with fire services to reduce future threats.

And in the wake of huge NSW fires, Wombat Rescue wants your help to feed the thousands of creatures that live in the forests in the Tallaganda State Park and in Currowan. The organisation believes thousands of animals face starvation as a result of vegetation being wiped out by fires, and fears those wombats will need help until the rains return. It expects to use donations to buy hay and other hard feed.

Health help on hand 

Health-related causes listed on the GiveNow site include the Victorian Adult Burns Service at The Alfred hospital. The service provides help with complex major burn injuries, as well as less severe burns, for patients based in metro areas, and it also provides outpatient services for rural residents.

Gippsland Women's Health is seeking donations to support period needs for women and girls in the fire-affected communities of East and Far East Gippsland, and will organise donated and purchased goods to be distributed via relief centres.

Fake fundraiser alert, fundraising rules

Authorities have already issued warnings about unscrupulous scammers creating false online fundraising pages in victims' names, and door-knocking to raise funds.

The ACCC has warned that with the high number of appeals being made, inevitably, "some of these are scams". It urged people to report scammers via its Scamwatch website.

The ACCC warned:

• Scammers are pretending to be legitimate well-known charities, creating their own charity names, and impersonating people negatively impacted by the bushfires.
• Scammers are cold-calling, direct messaging and creating fake websites and pages on social media to raise funds.
• Do not donate via fundraising pages on platforms that do not verify the legitimacy of the fundraiser or that do not guarantee your money will be returned if the page is determined to be fraudulent.
• Be careful about crowdfunding requests as these may be fake and also come from scammers. Check the terms and conditions of funding platforms and ensure you are dealing with official organisations. If you are unsure, make your donation to an established charity instead.
• If you think you have paid money to a scammer, please contact your bank immediately.

Not-for-profit legal advisers Moores recently issued this advice to organisations seeking to fundraise, noting the different rules in states and territories, as well as potential exemptions for some churches, religious organisations, kindergartens, schools and tertiary education providers.

Only verified not-for-profits with an ABN, authority to fundraise, and a bank account in the name of the organisation are able to fundraise with GiveNow. 

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission has also provided useful advice for fundraisers and donors wanting to do the right thing. 

Further useful information

Bushfire information: ABC | VIC | NSW | SA | TAS | WA | ACT | NT

Finances: Individual/business support (AFCA) for insurance claims, financial support, counselling

Recovery: National Bushfire Recovery Agency

GiveNow: Search causes  | Create account - Individuals/Organisations | Who can use us? | Fee info

Fundraising: Need an authority to fundraise? | Fundraising action plan | Donations help sheets  

GivingTuesday blog: More help on how to give 

Wellbeing: Beyond Blue's advice on disaster self care | Lifeline resources

Compiled by Matthew Schulz, Clare Hussey and Mark Fitzpatrick