Many charities, not-for-profits and community organisations are doing their bit to provide relief from the current devastating floods in February and March 2022. We have had floods before - but this is different. These are unparalleled water levels.

Whilst the tides continue to build and the desperate decisions to leave homes has saved lives, the clean up and rebuild will be daunting. 

So we are asking for Australians to support in whatever way you can.  For specific communities, for certain tasks, to help the animals, rebuild schools and one-off crowdfunding, we encourage everyone to do their bit. 

Most communities agree that the most effective way to help is by donating money, with an understanding that the rebuild phase is going to be long and difficult for many. 

Our Community enterprise GiveNow is among the donations platforms channelling funds to those who need them most. 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 flood-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.

Organisations seeking your support on GiveNow

This list shows all organisations using GiveNow to host low-fee and no-fee fundraisers.

Donate now to:

1. New causes created this week to specifically support the flood affected areas

• Vinnies NSW Flood Appeal 2022
• Lismore Soup Kitchen Winsome 500 Club
• Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation 2022 Flood Relief Appeal
• Micah Projects Flood Support 2022
• Communify Brisbane Flood Relief

2. Communities located in the flood affected areas that will no doubt need our support for immediate support or in the rebuilding efforts include the following communities include Lismore, Ballina, Ipswich and Gympie.

Most will also allow you to launch a crowdfunding (CrowdRaiser) campaign on their behalf. Just look for the "Create CrowdRaiser" button on an organisation's fundraising page, or click the relevant "Start a CrowdRaiser" link below.

Organisations seeking your support that are not on GiveNow 

This list includes the campaigns that we have heard about that are legitimate causes that deserve your consideration. Here is a list of the organisations that are close to the communities on the ground and are responding now:

• Lismore Flood Fund, Lismore City Council
• Emergency Appeal 2022, Foodbank Queensland
• Queensland SES
• New South Wales SES
• Flood Disaster Appeal, Community Enterprise Foundation
• Flood Recovery Appeal, Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR)

Fake fundraiser alert, fundraising rules

Authorities often issue warnings about unscrupulous scammers creating false online fundraising pages in victims' names, and door-knocking to raise funds. We want to alert Australians to this again for the current 2022 floods.

With the unprecedented level of flood damage, and 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 has previously warned that:

• Scammers can pretend to be legitimate well-known charities, creating their own charity names, and impersonating people negatively impacted by the bushfires.
• Scammers may try cold-calling, direct messaging and creating fake websites and pages on social media to raise funds.
• Donors 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 during the bushfires of 2020 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. 

Contact service@ourcommunity.com.au if we're missing an important fundraising initiative.