Archived: Australian Indigenous Ministries Inc.: mini charity review for donors

Mini charity review of Australian Indigenous Ministries Inc. (AIM) as an organisation that seeks donations. (Including the answers to the questions that the Australian charity regulator, the ACNC, suggests that you ask.)

(For the situation last year, read the review here.)

Is AIM registered?

• As a charity, yes.
• Other registrations:
  • As a NSW incorporated association (INC9882776).
  • AIM operates – according to the ACNC Register – in three states. It is not registered to fundraise in the two that have a licensing regime. Nor in the other five^[1].
  • If it’s ‘carrying on business’ outside NSW, as it appears to be, then it doesn’t have the required registration (an ARBN).

What do they do?

• See the website here (generally), and here (more specifically).

Do they share the Gospel?

• Yes

What impact are they having?

• Nothing systematic found.

What do they spend outside the costs directly incurred in delivering the above impact, that is, on administration?

• No Financial Report has been lodged on the ACNC Register.

Can you get a tax deduction?

• No

Is their online giving secure?

• No online giving is offered.

Is their reporting up-to-date?

• According to the information on the ACNC Register, yes. But that’s because they say that they are a Small charity, and Small charities don’t have to lodge a Financial Report.
  • But last year they were over the limit ($250K) for this classification, so maybe they are again this year?

Does their reporting comply with the regulator’s requirements?

• AIS 2015: No
  • No outcomes are given.
  • They said that they were a Basic Religious Charity, and thus not required to include any financial information. But they don’t qualify.
• Financial Report 2015: If they are indeed a Small charity, yes.
  • No Report was lodged (see two questions above).
  • AIM have to produce audited financial statements, both under their constitution and as members of Missions Interlink (see the final question below), so feel free to ask them for a copy.

What financial situation was shown by that Report?

• NA

What did the auditor say about the last financial statements?

• NA

If a charity, is their information on the ACNC Register complete?

• No
  • ‘Phone’ and ‘Website’ are blank.
  • Unless they are in contravention of their constitution, then there are at least another seven names that should be under ‘Responsible Persons’.
  • By the name of the ‘Governing document’ (under ‘Charity’s Document’), AIM Field Practice 022015’, you would think that they had not lodged their constitution. However it’s in that document (pages 3 to 15).

What choices do you have in how your donation is used?

• None given.

Who are the people controlling the organisation?

• Not shown on the website, and it is highly likely that the two people on the ACNC Register, under ‘Responsible Persons’ here, are not the complete committee.

To whom are AIM accountable?

• Not claimed on the website, but they are members of Missions Interlink, an organisation that has a general accountability regime^[2].
• They are also accountable to the ACNC.

Are they responsive to feedback?

• When sent a draft of this review, they…did not respond.

1. The law in this area is not straightforward and advice varies, so check with the charity before drawing any conclusions. ↑
2. For one opinion on the strength of this accountability, see the section Activities in this review. ↑