NFP Author Backs ACNC

Controversial author and Not for Profit administrator Dr Stephen Judd has thrown his support behind the new charity regulator set to begin operating from October 1.

The co-author of a controversial new book, Driven by Purpose: Charities that make the difference, told the ABC’s Radio National that the new charity regulator, the ACNC would provide transparency for the Not for Profit sector.

Recently the Federal Coalition told the sector that if elected it would retain the powers currently held by the Australian Tax Office to manage charities and not hand over to the ACNC.

Driven by Purpose: Charities that make the difference explores what Dr Judd says is the crisis of identity at the heart of Australian charities.

Dr Judd, with co authors Anne Robinson and Felicity Errington, delve into the "who" and the "why" central to the purpose of a charity, as well as other key issues such as governance, reform and charity laws.

This book analyses the historical and social context of Australian charities and considers the relationship between charities and Australian society.

Dr Judd told the ABC that charities are losing their sense of identity, trying to do too many things and becoming mere servants of the states.

He said while he encouraged new charities because they all start off small with a purpose to fill in a perceived gap in service, they then struggle and don’t know how to merge with other charities nor understand the need to get better.

Dr Judd, is also the CEO of the independent aged care charity HammondCare.

Dr Judd said too many charities have forgotten who they are and don't know why they are doing what they do.

He says CEOs will point to mission statements and constitutions to explain their existence, but they have lost touch with their purpose.

Driven by Purpose is “much more than a needed analysis of how this complicated and nuanced sector works – it’s a call to arms about why efficiently run non-profits are the lubricant of a compassionate, civil society, and what needs to happen for them to be effective and purpose driven,” Michael Traill AM, Chief Executive, Social Ventures Australia said.

The book is available through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

For an analysis of the Coalition’s policies for the Not for Profit Sector read today’s opinion piece by David Crosbie, chief executive of the Community Council of Australia.