Archived: YWAM Canberra: mini charity review for donors

Mini charity review of Youth With A Mission Canberra Incorporated (YWAMC)^[1] as an organisation that seeks donations. (Including the answers to the questions that the Australian charity regulator, the ACNC, suggests that you ask.)

Is YYAMC registered?

• As a charity, yes.
• Other registrations:
  • As an ACT incorporated association (A00414).
  • Not registered for fundraising in any of the seven states that have a fundraising licence regime. This includes the state in which they operate.
    • The law in this area is not straightforward – is an internet invitation ‘fundraising’ for instance? – and advice varies, so check with the charity before drawing any conclusions.

What do they do?

• There are nine things under the main menu item ‘Ministry and Service’.
  • Canberra 435 conducts ‘local outreach ministries’.
  • Bible Ministry has a number of Bible courses for Christians, and one for non-believers.
  • Three say ‘Information coming soon’.
  • One is blank.
  • Two say that two other YWAM entities are housed at YWAMC: Australian Mercy and the Asia and Pacific Field Office.
  • One is a partnership between a local church and YWAMC to be the Canberra arm of Chain Reaction^[2].

Do they share the Gospel?

• From the description of some of the ministries in the section above, yes.
• Sharing the Gospel is not explicitly included in the its objects (in the constitution).

What impact are they having?

• Nothing found.

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

• The financial information on the ACNC Register is very out-of-date. (See three questions below.)

Can you get a tax deduction?

• Yes, for a donation to itself and also to two funds that it operates:
  • Youth With A Mission Canberra Incorporated Building Fund Account, and
  • Youth With A Mission Inc Sacred Heart School Building and Maintenance.

Is their online giving secure?

• Westpac’s portal is used, so yes.

Is their reporting up-to-date?

• No.
  • It is so behind that the ACNC, after a generous period of grace, has given them a ‘red mark’ for their AIS 2014. And the AIS 2015 is due at the end of September.

Does their reporting comply with the regulator’s requirements?

• They have not reported since the AIS 2013.

What financial situation was shown by that Report?

• NA. See the previous question.

What did the auditor say about the last financial statements?

• NA. See two questions back.

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

• No.
  • See three questions back.
  • Plus ‘Other Name(s)’, ‘Phone’ and ‘Website’ are blank.

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

• This is the list on the website:
  • Payments of School Fees
  • Payments of Staff Fees and other Invoiced amounts
  • Donations to YWAM Canberra Staff
  • General Donations to the ministry of YWAM Canberra
  • Donations to YWAM Canberra Building Fund (these donations are tax deductable)(sic)
  • Donations to Australian Mercy Projects (some of these donations are tax deductable) (sic)

Who are the people controlling the organisation?

• They are not shown on the website.
• The ACNC Register says that there are two directors, both Kevin Clark.
• Their constitution requires a minimum of three people.
• The committee is accountable to the members of the company.

To whom are YSC accountable?

• Not claimed on the website, but they are members of Missions Interlink.
  • For one opinion on the strength of this accountability, see the section Activities in this review.

Are they responsive to feedback?

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

1. The name that they use for themselves, YWAM Canberra, is not a registered business name. ↑
2. Which is an unincorporated entity that is an unregistered charity. ↑