After taking a break over summer, we have new energy in our mahi (work) and have hit the ground running. I am pleased to advise that we have reopened registration for our one-on-one Zoom clinics. They allow you to ask us questions about financial reporting, pre-application advice and rules, and governance. Our colleagues at Hāpai Hapori (Community Operations) are also available to discuss funding. For more information, head over to our website.

I’d also like to draw your attention to some resources highlighted in this newsletter: the External Reporting Board’s (XRB) Simpler Tier 4 Performance Report template, designed for smaller Tier 4 charities, and planning resources intended to help charities think about their priorities for the year ahead.  

This month we chose to spotlight LazySneakers, a newly registered charity. LazySneakers runs a sneaker bank project that collects reusable and new sneakers from the community to distribute for free to people in need all over Aotearoa. The founder Maia was only 12 when she came up with the idea and continues to lead this awesome kaupapa (purpose) in the community.

Finally, thank you all for your mahi and your resilience as we navigate these unsettling times together. Despite the latest challenges that COVID-19 brings us, Charities Services remains open for business. If there is anything that we can do to support your charity with filing annual returns or more general questions, then get in touch. We are here to help.

Heoi anō tāku mō nāianei, noho ora mai ki a tātou katoa (that is all for now, stay well everyone).

Nā Mike Stone
Kaiwhakahaere Matua, General Manager ­­­

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 

Planning for 2022

The start of a new year is a great time to think about what you want to achieve and how you are going to get there. Make sure you set aside some time to share ideas as a group and map out some of the key priorities for the year. Planning can be very simple and there are many tools to help you. We wrote a lot about this in our February 2021 newsletter. Have a look at the articles there for more information

The Wheelhouse has produced a one page strategic plan template which links to information about strategic and operational planning. You can also find resources to help you plan on CommunityNet Aotearoa.

Identifying your key priorities is important to start on, but there are other things you should think about too. Below are a few questions to help you make decisions. You’ll also have other things to plan for that are more relevant to you and specific to your charity.

• Who will prepare your performance report and file your annual return?
• Will you need an audit or a review? Check the new levels on our website.
• What does the Treaty of Waitangi mean to your organisation? Check out some focus questions to get you thinking. 
• How will you operate in a COVID-19 environment? Watch our webinar.
• Do you have the right tools to work remotely?
• What kind of funding do you need to achieve your purpose?
• How will you attract and induct new volunteers or board members? Where will you record the key information they need? Take a look at the charity handbook.
• What are your strengths and how will you improve on your weaknesses? Try out NZ  Navigator to find out.

Tier 4 reporting just got easier!

Based on feedback from the sector, the External Reporting Board (XRB) released a simplified Not-For-Profit Tier 4 template. Intended for smaller charities, this focuses on reporting key information and can be used by registered charities to meet their reporting obligations.

This simpler template is intended for small Tier 4 charities who have:

• a single bank account
• few or no other significant resources (the things you own such as cars, land or buildings)
• few or no significant commitments (the things you owe such as bank loans)
• not entered into other complex transactions (such as multi-year grants or controlling businesses).

We have also released a Quick Guide alongside this new template. This includes the key concepts from our Tier 4 Guide for your reference. If you get stuck on anything, refer to our full guide for further help.

You can find both the template and the quick guide on our website.
 

New guide on accounting for koha

We recently created a new guide on our website that looks at how to report koha.

This new resource is aimed at helping charities report on receiving and gifting koha in their annual performance reports  

Koha can be hard to account for, as the way it is given, and what could be considered as koha, can vary greatly. This resource explains the concept of koha and provides step-by-step guidance to help charities report on it more easily.

The new resource is part of our Te Puna Atawhaitanga pages, designed to help explain Te Ao Māori concepts in the charitable sector. If you have any questions or suggestions about these pages, we’d really love to hear them (email info@charities.govt.nz).

Karawhiua e hoa mā (give it a go friends).

Roger chaired the Board from its establishment in 2012 until June 2021. He guided the Board over nine years where they were responsible for registering 11,000 charities and answering questions about charity law in Aotearoa. He has also been heavily involved in the community, sporting, and the business sector, especially in Porirua. 

Ka mahi te hopu a te ringa whero (The chiefly hand takes hold)

This saying describes an outstanding accomplishment by a prominent person. The red hand (te ringa whero) denotes the hand of a chief or accepted leader.

SECTOR SHOWCASE

NEWS OF INTEREST

Have your say: Grant Thornton Not for Profit sector survey

Grant Thornton New Zealand is giving leaders in the Not-for-Profit sector the opportunity to have their say about their experiences in the industry. The research will be used to explore the challenges, pressures and opportunities facing organisations like yours. And of course, the team at Grant Thornton will share the findings and their insights with you when their report is completed.

If Grant Thornton receives your completed survey by Monday 14 March 2022, you will go into the draw for a $500 donation to the NFP organisation of your choice.

The survey opens Tuesday 8 March 2022, register here to receive the survey link.

Hui E! Upcoming events

Hui E! & ComVoices - Insights from social policy research on communities and COVID-19

Hui E! in conjunction with ComVoices, are offering a free seminar that looks at how you can access, support, and create social policy research that is representative of communities and practical for policy makers. Although this seminar has been postponed until a later date, expressions of interest are open.

To register your interest and to find more information head towards the event website

Hui E! - He Raupapatanga o Te Raumati/ Summer Webinar Series

Hui E! Summer Webinar Series/He Raupapatanga o Te Raumati, brings you a series of topical webinars designed specifically for people working in the tangata whenua, community, and voluntary sector. The hui will cover:

• a new funding platform to be launched in March
• alternative registration models
• how to report back to your funder
• how to start delivering services for government.

They will be run throughout March, on Wednesdays between 12-1pm. Register via He Raupapatanga o te Raumati | Summer webinar series

Charities and Not-for-Profit: Critical Update Programme has launched

Legalwise is running a live and on-demand presentation on issues facing charities and not-for-profit organisations. Attend the live online event on 9 March or access the on-demand version from 14 March. Hear from leading NFP and charity experts about the latest developments and how they will impact you. Topics include the Incorporated Societies Bill, compliance and government issues, and tax.

Anyone interested can view the programme here and register with the Promotional Code SPK30 to get a 30% discount.

Student Volunteer week: 4 - 10 April 2022

Student Volunteer week is fast approaching. The week celebrates the contribution students are making in their communities and gives an opportunity to showcase how others can get involved. There are several tertiary institutions that have different programmes in place to encourage volunteering! Get in contact with them to see what they offer.

Find out more about Student Volunteer Week on their website.

Myth Busting: What Charities Services can do when you have an internal dispute

Our Myth Busting series is a regular feature where we address some misconceptions and bust some myths about registered charities, the Charites Act 2005, and Charities Services.

This month, we’re looking at what Charities Services can do when there is an internal dispute in your charity. You can read the myth-busting feature on our website

Philanthropy New Zealand releases Match | Te Puna Taurite 

Philanthropy New Zealand, Tо̄pūtanga Tuku Aroha o Aotearoa, is developing a new service to help both those seeking and distributing philanthropic funding in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The vision of Match | Te Puna Taurite is a more equitable, accessible and collaborative funding system. It aims to more easily connect those with funds to those that seek them.

Match | Te Puna Taurite will launch on the 28^th of March 2022. You can keep updated by subscribing to the MTPT newsletter and through the Philanthropy New Zealand | Tōpūtanga Tuku Aroha o Aotearoa website.

GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Community Governance support not-for-profit organisations with knowledge and resources to serve their communities well. They have two upcoming series of webinars to support charities governance.

Board Talks

Board Talks discuss topical issues designed to help you on our governance journey.

On this Friday 25 February, join guest panelists for “Don’t just rely on the treasurer” including Barry Baker (Grant Thornton), Rawiri Bhana (Mokopuna Decision Making) and our own senior accountant, Allyssa Carle (Charities Services). They will share their experiences from a treasurer’s perspective, and help you understand key risks and things to know when managing finances as a board.

Good Governance Code

Community Governance is creating a Good Governance Code for community organisations in Aotearoa. A series of co-designed workshops from March to June 2022 will be facilitated by Dr Jo Cribb and Rose Hiha-Agnew. The workshops bring together not-for-profits, philanthropic organisations, government, businesses, and more to create the code.

Sprints take place from 8:30 – 12:30 on the following dates:

• 4 March and 17 March
• 1 April and 8 April
• 6 May and 13th May

Register your interest for one or all of the co-design sprints on the Community Governance Website - Talks & Events

Selected participants will then be asked to participate in the sprints to ensure there is good representation across NZ to inform the code.

The final code will be launched July 8, 2022

UPDATES FROM WIDER GOVERNMENT 

Hāpai Hapori (Community Operations) Funding Dates

Our colleagues in Hāpai Hapori administer a number of funds, which registered charities may want to apply for. Funding rounds open and close throughout the year, with a number closing in March and April 2022. We recommend you check the Community Matters funding calendar to see the most up-to-date information.

You can get in touch with Hāpai Hapori by emailing them at community.matters@dia.govt.nz, or calling them on 0800 824 824 (toll free).

Updates from Inland Revenue

Donee organisations and donations

In light of recent events, Inland Revenue want to make sure you are informed and know where to find any up-to-date information and advice around donations and gift giving.

You can find information on the Charities Services website highlighting the various scenarios you or your not-for-profit or charitable organisation might encounter.

Further information for donee organisations can be found on IR’s website: Helping your donors claim their donation tax credit. This also covers how to apply for approval to become an approved donee organisation if you believe your organisation meets the criteria.

Public consultation for IR Operational Statements – still open!

There’s still time to provide your views on the IR Operational Statements in publication ED0238 ‘Charities and Donee organisations’.

Public comments are being accepted through until 28 February 2022. For further information please visit: Public consultation - Operational statement for charities and donee organisations (ird.govt.nz)

Getting in touch

If you need to get in touch with IR, please contact them through your myIR account. For more information, please visit myIR Secure Online Services (ird.govt.nz)

RESOURCES

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