An oversight within a well-intentioned promotional campaign appears to blur the lines between what constitutes a philanthropic gift and what is a commercial membership deal.
Members of a not-for-profit arts organisation’s donor circle were recently offered a discount deal from a for-profit business, which, if taken up, may put their tax deductible donation to the arts organisation at risk of scrutiny by the ATO. Photo: Jakub Zerdzicki, Pexels.
It’s a cautionary tale for anyone who is serious about raising philanthropic dollars in the arts.
Recently, in an effort to raise the profile of its bespoke philanthropic donor group, a large not-for-profit arts organisation entered into what on the surface looked like a simple cross-promotional campaign with a local membership-based business whose the target audience is a perfect match for its donor circle demographic.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
