Autism SA Workplace Giving Program

No matter how big or small, every donation makes a difference.

Workplace Giving is an effective way for employees to regularly donate to a

charitable organisation through automated payroll deductions, through your

pre-tax dollars. Workplace giving is optional. Both the employee and the employer

must agree to participate.

To set up a Workplace Giving Program the charitable organisation must have: - A deductible gift recipient (DGR) status (Autism SA has the DGR status)

- Your employer might also consider matching donations, dollar for dollar - Your donations will reduce your taxable income, so you benefit every pay. - You do not need receipts for your donations, your donations will be included in your annual

employer’s PAYG payment summary. - It doesn’t affect your gross income or superannuation….all it does is make a positive

difference to support the work of Autism SA!

Background

Information: Autism SA was founded by families in 1964

and is a charitable, not-for-profit

organisation, which provides services to

individuals with an Autism Spectrum

Disorder and their families. ASA currently

has approx. 110 staff and is located at

Marion Rd Netley.

The organisation is funded through State

and Federal Government sources, as well

as through membership fees, special

events and philanthropic means. We rely

heavily on the generosity of groups such as

yours as they allow Autism SA to provide

“wish-list” items that would not normally be

available. Some of the wishlist items

include: toys, resources, ipads, and much

needed additional services such as

speech and OT.

What does the current funding

structure look like at Autism SA?

What does the current

funding structure look like

at Autism SA?

Preparing for the future… Due to the introduction of the NDIS, by 2016, the current funding models

will change and in some programs cease to exist. Autism SA strives to

prepare for these changes and to continue to provide services as the

demand and diagnosis numbers increase from year to year.

Why do we need your

support? Autism SA needs your support to prepare for the future and support the new NDIS funding model that will help us to meet the ever increasing demand for our services. Autism SA

diagnoses approximately 80-90 new clients per month. We currently provide services and support to more than 7,369 South Australians living with ASD. For too long, funding has not met the growing size and complexity of the autism spectrum community.

The prevalence is growing at a faster rate than any other disability and diagnoses are doubling every five years - it is more common than Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, Down syndrome, vision impairment and hearing loss combined.

What are Autism

Spectrum Disorders?

Autism Spectrum Disorders, which include autism

and Asperger syndrome, are developmental

disorders, which are characterised by:

• delayed and disordered social skills with an over

or under sensitivity to the seven senses; sight, smell,

taste, hearing, touch, vestibular, proprioception

• resistance to environmental changes

• repetitive activities and interests (to the exclusion

of others)

• language disorders

Approximately, 75% of people with autism have an

intellectual disability.

How common are Autism

Spectrum Disorders? In Australia, autism occurs in at least 1 in 100 people and there

are 5 times as many males diagnosed with autism as females.

Asperger syndrome occurs in 1 in 250, with 10 times as many

males as females being diagnosed. A recent prevalence study

by Dr John Wray indicates that 1 in 160 school children

between the ages of 6 and 12 have an Autism Spectrum

Disorder.

What are the causes of Autism

Spectrum Disorder? There are a number of possible causes currently being

researched including genetic, biochemical, neurological and

viral factors.

Autism SA does not get involved in research but appreciates and

supports that all families will try difference therapies for their child

and have their own opinion on the contributing factors.

More statistics

• Autism SA currently has more than 7291 South Australians

registered for services with a break down of: 5812 are under

the age of 18, 5320 school age and 1479 adults. Our clients

range from 2 – 62 . On average 75 new clients are diagnosed

with an ASD on a monthly basis.

• The ASA InfoLine receives and services approx 4000 calls per

year and more than 300 per month – the info-line is operated

between 9-4pm 5 days per week.

• The breakdown – 80% male, 20% female with 50%/50% ratio of

Autism and Aspergers

Can Autism

Spectrum

Disorders be

cured? At present there is no medical

‘cure’ but early diagnosis followed

by structured education and

behaviour management

intervention will ensure that each

child achieves their full potential.

Early intervention and support

from organisations such as ours

provide our clients with the

support and tools they need to

live within the community.

Effects on the family? Bringing up a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder has a

significant effect on the family. Enormous pressure is placed on

parents, brothers and sisters as even every day social activities

and outings can be extremely difficult and stressful. Autism SA

assists parents and families to learn about the disorder and to provide them with strategies to cope with the challenges.

Autism SA Services:

Services provided by the Association for

people with autism spectrum disorders

and their families include:

•Diagnosis

•Training & Consultancy

•Early Development

•School Support

•Spectrum Advisory Services

•Info line

•Autism Advisor Program

•Early Intervention Panel Provider

•Respite houses – South and North

•Day options programs

•Peer mentor services

•Healthy Eating groups

•Company @ theatre group

What does workplace

giving involve? It’s quite easy really, as little as $2 (less than a cup of coffee) can go a long way. All you need to do is nominate a regular donation amount and inform

your Payroll Team who will directly deposit your nominated donation to Autism SA that is deducted from your regular pay. Donations that

are $2 or more are tax deductible. Your donation will go towards helping Autism SA continue to provide much needed services.

How do Employees register for

Workplace Giving at Autism

SA? Employees can register for Autism SA Workplace Giving by following the simple steps below:

• Complete the Autism SA Workplace Giving Program Registration Form.

• Nominate Autism SA as your preferred charity then specify the amount

you wish to donate.

• Present the form to your payroll department.

How do Employers register?

By following the simple steps below, Employers my register in the Autism SA

Workplace Giving Program: • As an employer, include Autism SA in your current Workplace Giving

Program and include the registration form in new employee packs. • Invite your employees to enter into your program.

Note: A Workplace Giving Program does not affect the way your employees gross income, super guarantee payments or fringe benefits are calculated.

What are the benefits to your

organisation?

Employer Benefits

- Demonstrates commitment to supporting the community

- Enhances corporate reputation

- Builds employee morale and loyalty

- Assists with employee attraction and retention

- Cost effective method of giving

- Builds stronger business and community partnerships

- Simple, streamlined administration

- Acknowledgement of your organisation participating in the Workplace Giving Program on

the Autism SA website, Facebook (more than 2500 followers) and Twitter Page (more than

2000 followers).

Employee Benefits

- Simple way to give as donations are made each pay cycle

- Tax benefit is provided when the donation is made (pre-tax)

- Effective giving option for time-poor employees

- Donations can start, change or cease at any time

- Annual reporting providing an overview of the donation statistics.

- Feels good to support communities in need

Charity Benefits

- Regular, reliable and long term income through monthly grants

- One of the lowest cost forms of fundraising

- Employer matched giving provides an additional income stream

- Donor contact information is provided to build the charity’s donor database

- Provides a stepping stone to building a strong corporate partnership

- Free donor acquisition

* Sourced from CAF’s website: http://www.cafaustralia.org.au/our-charities/workplace-giving.htm

Any questions?

For any further information please contact

Jessica Bostock - Partnerships & Events Coordinator

on (08) 8379 6976 or by email at jbostock@autismsa.org.au.