Archived: God’s Dreaming Inc: mini-charity review

Mini-charity review of God’s Dreaming Inc (GD), an organisation that seeks donations online and is a member of Missions Interlink. (Including the answers to the questions that the Australian charity regulator, the ACNC, suggests that you ask.)

Is it responsive to feedback?

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

Is GD registered?

• As a charity, yes.
• GD is a Victorian incorporated association (A0094980S).
• It has no business names.
• GD operates in Australia, per the ACNC Register, throughout Australia.
  • It does not have the necessary registration to conduct business interstate (an ARBN).
  • It does not explain why do not hold any fundraising licences.
• The ACNC Register says that GD doesn’t operate overseas.
  • Does their recent membership of Missions Interlink – ‘We exist to connect Australians with a passion for global mission’ – indicate that they intend to begin working overseas shortly?

What do they do?

• In general.
• More specifically.

Do they share the Gospel?^[1]

• Yes

What impact are they having?

• No information found.

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

• The only financial information available is what’s included in the AIS 2106. And this shows all the expenses as ‘Other expenses/payments’.

Do they pay their board members?

• The constitution is silent on paying board members.
• From the financial information available (see above), it is not possible to tell if they pay them or not.

Can you get a tax deduction?

• No

Is their online giving secure?

• Security is not mentioned.

Is their reporting up-to-date?

• Yes (lodged four and a half months after their year-end).
  • But if you are considering a large donation, I would ask for more up-to-date financial information – the accounts are for a year end that is now over 12 months ago.

Does their reporting comply with the regulator’s requirements?

• AIS 2016: Almost – no outcomes are reported.
• Financial Report 2016: Yes
  • Because of its size, GD does not have to lodge a Financial Report with the ACNC. And they chose not to lodge one voluntarily.
  • However, the terms of its incorporation as an association require it to prepare a full set of financial statements, and their Associate membership of Missions Interlink requires them to “have available for [their] members and supporters a clear and appropriate financial statement which has been approved by its auditor.”  It’s not offered on the website, so just ask.

What financial situation was shown by that Report?

• They recorded a surplus of $2K on turnover of $34K, and with no liabilities, equity was $4K.

What did the auditor say about the last financial statements?

• No audit has been published.

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

• Yes

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

• None

Where were your (net) donations sent?

• No information on this is available.

Who are the people controlling the organisation?

• Not shown on the website.
• Per the ACNC Register (under ‘Responsible Persons’):
  • Graziella Henshaw
  • Roger Latham
  • Jadah Pleiter
  • Julie Strack
  • Sondy Ward (the CEO)
  • John Williams
    • Is it this John Williams?
  • Karen Williams
    • The name ‘John Williams’ appears on the register for 28 charities. And the register only covers charities, not all not-for-profits, and of course doesn’t include for-profit organisations.  If after eliminating the charities for which GD’s John Williams is not a director, you are left with the total being more than a handful, it would be legitimate for you to question whether his ability to discharge his fiduciary responsibilities is threatened.
• The board is responsible to the members. The number of members is not disclosed.

To whom is GD accountable?

• Not claimed, but GD is a member of Missions Interlink.
  • For one opinion on the strength of this accountability, see the section Activities in this review.
• GD is also accountable to the ACNC.
• And to the Victorian regulator of incorporated associations.

1. “Good living and social concern are important [to the cause of evangelism], but they are not uniquely Christian graces…I’ve met a lot of fine Hindus, Muslims and atheists. Just living the life is not going to bring someone to Christ. There is much more to it than that. We must help people, certainly, but we must also share with them why we are motivated to do so. We must stand against injustice, poverty and need, but we must at the same time point to the One who brings justice and who can meet the deepest need. Until they know our reasons, how can they come to know our Lord?” [Dan Armstrong, the Fifth Gospel: The Gospel According to You, Anzea Books, pp. 13-14. ↑