About Giving Week – how MPs & Councillors can take part

Australian Giving Week takes place around the country during December each year to focus attention on the many ways that individuals, families, businesses and groups can make a difference to their community in the lead-up to Christmas.

It's about helping businesses and individuals take some small, simple steps that open the way for a better supported, more inclusive, more vibrant community – not just during the Christmas period but all year long as well.

Our Community and Westpac will be heavily promoting Australian Giving Week, but we need your help as well.

• Spread the word.
  As a respected member of the community, you have a great opportunity to spread the word about Australian Giving Week and encourage others to take part. Highlight the ways individuals can get involved in this event by issuing a media release and by including an item on Giving Week in your own newsletter. Click here to download a list of '50 Ways for Individuals to Give' to give you a head start, or download the sample media release, adapt it to your purposes and send it out to your local media.
• Send greetings and help the community at the same time.
  Australia Post and Our Community have teamed up to develop the Community Giving Cards program. For every Giving Card you purchase, $1 will be passed on to a local community group of your choice - a great way to provide a tangible demonstration of your commitment to the local community. Find out more here.
• Get others involved.
  Tell your contacts about Australian Giving Week and encourage them to get involved. Email them with a link to this site (www.givingweek.com.au). Print out the '50 Ways for Individuals to Give'  help sheet and post it on your noticeboards and include it in your mail-outs. Tell local businesses about Australian Giving Week and how they can take part – there's a section for them on the Giving Week website (www.givingweek.com.au) too.
• Spend wisely.
  Lead by example by buying your personal and office Christmas trees and Christmas gifts through community groups. Go to www.givingweek.com.au to find out where you can buy Good Gifts, trees and puddings.
• Make a donation.
  With the rise of the internet, making a donation to a community group is just a mouse-click away. GiveNow.com.au has more than 1500 individual causes listed. This commission-free and 100% safe service means you can give to a group that matches your values from the comfort of your own home or office, at a time of your choosing. More than 50,000 people have already used this service, donating more than $12 million to community groups around Australia.
• 'Tis the season.
  For many people, Christmas provides an opportunity to take a breather from work and other stressors and reconnect with their family, friends and community. Find ways to make life easier for your employees and volunteers this Christmas.

Australian Giving Week is an initiative of the Our Community Foundation, which also supports the GiveNow.com.au giving website. GiveNow has been used by more than 50,000 individuals and corporates and has collected more than $12 million in online donations for Australian community groups. Both Australian Giving Week and GiveNow.com.au are proudly supported by Westpac.