Why giving a major donation matters

The generosity shown through large charitable gifts and donations has a substantial and lasting long-term impact. Gifts of significance enable us to create change and make breakthroughs. They provide for long-term investment, creating the foundation for transformative work in improving the lives of people with disabilities living in developing countries.

How major donations help

1.3bn
around the world have a disability

80%
people with disabilities live in poverty

1.04bn
people are marginalised and often invisible

1/5
of the world’s poorest people have a disability

“We all have one thing in common – we didn’t choose where we were born. We didn’t choose hot running water, air-conditioning or interior lighting, but when we turn them on, that’s precisely what we get. Too many are less fortunate and what we take for granted is a genuine miracle. So let’s share our good fortune and bring the miracle of seeing light, colour and smiles to those who didn’t receive what we didn’t earn.”

Long-term CBM supporter Roger Montgomery

The difference you can make

Our focus is to empower people with disabilities, their families and communities by providing practical assistance including skill development, aids and equipment, treatment, and access to education. We do this in three key ways:

Health care and rehabilitation

CBM works with local partners to prevent and treat avoidable causes of blindness such as cataract, river blindness and trachoma, and treat conditions like club foot to avoid permanent impairment.

Equality and opportunity

Our work opens the door for people with disabilities to gain an education, open a business, earn a living, make friends and be part of their community, often for the first time in their lives.

Influencing and advocacy

Positive societal change happens when people with disabilities are free from unfair obstacles. This means changing attitudes, beliefs as well as physical environments, systems and policies.

Get in touch with our team

Find out more about how you can make an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Tim Plunkett
Major Donor Relationship Manager
tplunkett@cbm.org.au
0488 500 991

Indicate preferred contact method(Required)

A young child with a patch over one eye is in the foreground holding a sign that reads “Thank you”. In the background are three other children and two adults. They are outdoors.

Other ways to help

Leave a gift in your Will

Through your Will you can leave a legacy of hope that will live on beyond your lifetime and impact generations.
 

Regular giving

You can change a life by supporting our appeals or by giving a regular gift.

Attend a supporter event

Supporter meetings are held around Australia and are an amazing opportunity to hear first hand how your support is ending the cycle of poverty and disability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Australia is often referred to as “The Lucky Country” and most of us are fortunate enough to have been born or immigrated here. However, for the one billion vulnerable and forgotten people with an existing or acquired disability living in poverty, their most basic human rights are often denied.

Inequalities and injustices exist. However, for people with disabilities living in poverty, these inequalities and injustices are immense. And with the added complications of COVID-19, catastrophic.

Success is when all human rights are respected and millions of people living with disabilities and their families benefit from capacity-building projects that enable access to essential health services, education, employment, and safety when disaster events strike.

CBM Australia has built an exemplary reputation over decades as a global leader and trusted partner agitating alongside the disability movement to transform the lives of millions of people with disabilities, ensuring their rights become a reality.

Investing in international programs will result in major impact with a lasting positive ripple effect, bringing hope and joy to millions.

CBM is DFAT accredited and is experienced in preparing robust monitoring frameworks to systematically collect valuable information and insights about the program’s impact, implementation, and effectiveness.

CBM’s quality team will monitor the number of people whose lives are positively impacted, partners engaged to deliver systemic transformation and the essential driving force of all catalytic change.

In 2022, for every dollar given to CBM Australia, 75 cents supported programs and 20 cents generated funds to support future programs, leaving 5 cents to deliver accountability and administration. For every dollar we spend on fundraising we raise nearly four times that amount.

75% Programs

20% Fundraising

5% Accountability & Admin

 

As seen in the 2022 annual report.

Here at CBM, we believe in our hearts that our mission is to try to be the hands and feet of Jesus to help improve the lives of people with disabilities living in poverty. We feel called to build a more inclusive world for some of the most disadvantaged people in the world and are absolutely focused on the double disadvantage of disability and poverty. Quite often we find the people we go to help are of different religious backgrounds and we don’t engage in missionary or evangelical work in the field. CBM follows the model of Jesus by assisting all people who need help regardless of their religious, cultural or faith backgrounds.

CBM Australia is a company limited by guarantee under the Australian Corporations Act and a registered Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has given CBM Australia the status of a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), granted exemption from Income Tax and provided concessions for Fringe Benefits Tax and GST.

CBM Australia is accredited by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which is responsible for managing Australia’s aid program. To maintain accreditation, CBM Australia’s systems, policies and processes are rigorously reviewed, every five years and mid-term, by the Australian government. CBM Australia receives and gratefully acknowledges support through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

CBM Australia is a signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct, which is a voluntary, self-regulatory sector code of good practice. As a signatory, we are committed and fully adhere to the ACFID Code of Conduct, ensuring transparency, accountability and integrity in our work. For further information on the Code, visit acfid.asn.au/content/read-code. CBM Australia CEO Jane Edge is Vice President (Finance) on the ACFID Board.

In 2022, CBM Australia continued as a Member of the Centre for Social Purpose, the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) and the Association for Data-Driven Marketing & Advertising (ADMA). CBM Australia is committed to full alignment with the FIA Code of Conduct and relevant components of the ADMA Code of Practice.