Westpac Community Confidence Index

The results of the inaugural Westpac Community Confidence Index were released on October 25, 2011.

Commissioned in July 2011, the Index examines strengths and confidence sentiments of the community sector, taking in feelings around financial security, workplace operations and future prospects, as well as highlighting the challenges and opportunities the sector is facing.

The Index has been commissioned by Westpac Social Sector Banking in partnership with Our Community.

It's designed to provide a benchmark to measure the health and optimism of the community sector.

Nearly 1000 not-for-profit organisations participated in the inaugural study, which is expected to be repeated every six months.

Key findings of the inaugural survey are:

Despite a difficult year, 85% of Australian not-for-profit organisations are confident that they will achieve their goals over the next 12 months.
Close to half of the not-for-profit organisations surveyed have experienced an increase in overall income in the past six months; 71% are expecting an increase in the next 12 months; and 82% are actively exploring additional sources of income.
The main concern in the not-for-profit sector is around finding skilled staff - one-third of respondents said they were struggling with this. On the up-side, the sector is positive about retaining staff, with 73% saying they are confident on this front.
One in four not-for-profit organisations are considering partnering or merging for growth.
On a national basis, WA not-for-profits achieved the highest overall Index score, and also led the field in income trends and expectations, as well as confidence in achieving their goals. While WA had an overall index score of 126 (where 100 is the baseline), Victoria, Queensland and South Australia all scored below 100.
The most confident organisations in the community sector are those that fall into the professional/trade associations category, with an overall score of 140.2, followed by the hospitals/health segment on 132.4, and social services on 120.2. The culture and recreation segment had the lowest index score, on 64.4.

Click here to download the full report (PDF 4.4mb).

Our Community Pty Ltd www.ourcommunity.com.au ABN 24 094 608 705
National Headquarters: 51 Stanley St, West Melbourne Victoria 3003 Australia
(PO Box 354 North Melbourne 3051 Victoria)
Telephone (03) 9320 6800 Fax (03) 9326 6859 Email service@ourcommunity.com.au

GRANTS BOOTCAMP AT THE COMMUNITIES IN CONTROL CONFERENCE

More than 40 grantmakers are attending the 2012 Grants Bootcamp. Who will you get to meet? Get in quick - numbers are capped!

The Grants Bootcamp is for staff and volunteers from community organisations of all sizes and types who want to improve their grantseeking skills, knowledge and connections. Grassroots groups will have the most to gain.

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