Australia’s communities are powered by the grassroots. From local footy clubs and animal rescue groups to school P&Fs and tiny charities, these small community causes make life better for millions of Australians. But more and more of them are struggling. Some are shutting down. Others are burning out. And all too often, they’re fading quietly into the background without anyone noticing.
We have to ask: why? Is it because people don’t care anymore? Because we’ve all become too busy, too selfish, or too distracted?
Actually, no. The data says Australians still care deeply about their communities. The problem isn’t a lack of heart — it’s a lack of evolution.
What’s Really Going On?
Let’s break it down:
1. Volunteers Are Disappearing
- Volunteer rates have plummeted over the last decade. Formal volunteering dropped from 36.2% in 2010 to 24.8% in 2020, according to the ABS General Social Survey.
- The 2021 Census also showed a 19% drop in the number of people volunteering compared to 2016.
- Many local events and organisations have had to cancel or scale back due to lack of volunteers (ABC, 2022).
2. Small Orgs Are At Breaking Point
- A 2023 survey by the Australian Sports Foundation found that 1 in 4 small community sports clubs have considered closing due to financial pressure (ASF, 2023).
- Charities under $50,000 in revenue have seen a 17% decline in volunteers and an 18% drop in paid staff over five years (ACNC Charities Report, 2023).
- In rural areas, community groups are closing down or going dormant due to lack of capacity and sustained support (ABC News, 2022).
3. Fundraising Is Stuck in the Past
Most small orgs still rely on sausage sizzles, raffle tickets, paper forms, and grant applications. These methods:
- Take massive time and effort
- Burn out volunteers
- Raise minimal funds
- Feel stale and uninspiring
Reports from the Community Council for Australia have criticised outdated, manual compliance requirements and the lack of modern fundraising tools available to small charities (CCA, 2022).
So, What’s the Real Problem?
Fundraising models haven’t evolved.
That’s it. That’s the headline.
It’s not that people don’t care. It’s not that the causes aren’t worthy. It’s that the experience of giving, supporting, and fundraising is outdated.
It’s:
- Too hard (fundraising regulation varies by state, creating unnecessary complexity)
- Too boring (repetitive and uninspired methods)
- Too manual (few digital tools, high admin loads)
But People Still Want to Help
Here’s the good news:
- 83% of Australians give to charity — that’s 5 in 6 people. (McCrindle Giving Trends Report, 2023)
- 50% say they would volunteer more if it fit better into their life (Community Compass, 2023)
- Younger donors prefer newer charities and engaging experiences: 61% of Gen Z donors prefer supporting new or grassroots causes over established ones (McCrindle, 2023)
People care. They really do. But they live in a world of tap-and-go, TikTok, and instant everything. If a cause makes it hard to engage, people disengage — not because they don’t care, but because they have no capacity left to fight friction.
It’s Time to Evolve
Small community causes in Australia are struggling — but not because people have stopped caring.
They’re struggling because:
- Their fundraising methods are outdated.
- Their volunteers are burnt out.
- Their ability to reach modern donors is limited by tech, time, and red tape.
If small community causes are going to survive and thrive, they need new models. Models that:
- Embrace digital tools
- Make fundraising feel like fun, not a chore
- Automate the admin
- Give supporters a reason to come back every week
The future of giving isn’t door-knocks and chocolate boxes. It’s tech-enabled, user-friendly, and maybe even a little bit gamified.
The statement is true:
“Small community causes are dying not because people don’t care, but because fundraising models haven’t evolved. It’s too hard, too boring, and too manual.”
We’re fixing that.
The good news? People want to give. They want to volunteer. They want to support their communities.
We just need to make it easier, more engaging, and more aligned with how the world works today.
Because if we make it easy to care, people will. And our communities will be stronger for it.
Here at Generous, we’re building the next generation of fundraising for local causes. If you're part of a community group, sports club, or charity that wants to raise more with less effort, get in touch. We’d love to help.
