Music associations, charities, call out for tax deductible donations

With end of financial year coming up (June 30), music associations and charities around Australia are calling out for tax deductible donations to allow them to keep working on current and future programs. Any donation over $2 is tax deductible.

Perth-based WAM (West Australian Music) this week announced that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has granted it deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. It has set up the WA Music Fund to accept donations to allow it to deliver projects. its current projects and activities, as well as create new ones. Its website (wam.asn.au) provides details.

It points out that while WA music has made national and international strides of late, “WA is still a tough place to be an artist. Playing live beyond the Perth metro area and touring to the east coast remains an enormous challenge, yet playing live to new audiences has never been so important. WAM delivers programs and services to help address this, and provides opportunities that would otherwise be beyond reach. Help us to help artists from across this state to realise their dreams and creative aspirations, thus playing an important role in enriching the cultural fabric of WA.”

QMusic set up the Queensland Music Network Inc. Public Fund, which has been endorsed by the ATO as a DGR. For more detailsrefer to their website qmusic.com.au.

Music NT this week announced that its crowd-sourcing campaign was a success: it raised $46,680, which will be matched by Creative Partnerships Australia Plus 1 initiative, making a total of $93,360. “The money we raised will be used to employ a development manager, to look after and grow our non-government funding.” MusicNT too is a registered charity organisation.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy uses the power of music to change the lives of people living with a number of difficulties.

CEO Belinda Leonard said, “Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy gives children speech, when they were told they would never speak, given people motor skills, when they were told they would never be able to move their arms again, and given a new life to the elderly struggling with dementia.” Donations can be made online via Paypal, direct deposit or call (02) 4736 0240.

Support Act Limited provides aid for music professionals who’ve fallen on financial, health and emotional hard times. Visit www.supportact.org.au or call 1300 731 303.