Where does my money go?

In the wake of the global recession, many people are starting to ask questions about the value of their dollar. Am I getting value for money? Is that a fair price? And in the case of donations to charitable organisations: where does my money go?

Alzheimers New Zealand actively fundraises using various methods throughout the year. This could be anything from a nationwide, week-long appeal campaign to a sausage sizzle outside a local library. All funds raised are vital for the organisation to continue its good work. Staff who manage local fundraising are often also those who deliver local services. In this case, all money raised is spent locally. This includes employment of staff, administrational support, overheads and printing.

Funds raised nationally provide benefits across the entire organisation; funding our resources, advocacy work and information services such as the website. Alzheimers New Zealand and its 21 local organisations have the benefit of ‘charitable status' under the Charities Commission, which was established in 2007 as a crown entity. One of its mandates is to provide trust and confidence in the sector. A register of charitable organisations can be searched on www.charities.govt.nz.

As a respected charitable organisation, Alzheimers New Zealand places a high value on transparency. There have been various cases brought to light over the past few years where individuals have let down the very cause they have actively promoted. Alzheimers New Zealand works diligently to a code of ethics where no third party is paid to source funding on its behalf and where funds are channelled directly as intended. Alzheimers New Zealand also observe the ‘Donor Bill of Rights' which is advocated by the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand, and forms the basis of its donations policy. Please click here for the donor bill of rights. (Courtesy of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand).

Last year, our dedicated staff and volunteers supported approximately 9,000 people with dementia, including just over 1,500 newly-diagnosed people. As Alzheimers New Zealand prepares itself for the steep increase in people affected by dementia in the future, its fundraising programme will become more sophisticated to enable more people to offer their support.

There are a lot of people who need our support today and a lot of money is needed to make this happen.