Christmas Gift Voucher Programme 2002

The aim of the program is to give a family, in financial hardship, the dignity of choosing a gift for their family members for Christmas.

Priorities Tasmanian families experiencing financial hardship:-

The report to the Sidney Myer Fund included correspondence received from the charitable sector in Tasmania who expressed an interest and who participated in the $10,000 gift programme.

Methodology

The Grants Committee with T.C.F. Chairman, Mick Clark, developed a strategy to deliver computer generated personalised Christmas letters to be included with the Myer $20.00 gift vouchers. A suitable selection criteria was then established. Expressions of interest were invited from community groups. When final lists were prioritised gift voucher packages were delivered to the successful applicants. A consideration in distribution included the need for a fair and reasonable attempt to allocate widely to the geographic regions in the State.

Organisations were contacted through the cooperation of Tasmanian Council of Social Services Youth Network of Tasmania and The Launceston City Mission

Their combined experience in this field of Christmas giving led to recommendations that vouchers be hand delivered to the recipient families and children.

Observations

Feedback from both recipients and community groups indicated that the personalised approach was highly valued. The administrative effort was significant, but considered well worthwhile. Through the experience the Foundation has developed positive relationships with the charitable sector and gained some valuable insight.

The Grants committee recommended that the timing of the grant (if early November) would have enhanced the opportunity to develop more effective strategies toward this form of grant making.

An inevitable over subscription for requests for vouchers did occur, however this was kept to a minimum. The letter of invitation to community groups to participate in the program included a clear reference to "prioritised lists", "subject to availability", and a closing date for applications. This provided an opportunity for some negotiation to help ensure, with some limitations, a fair and equitable system was in place.

• The Sidney Myer Fund in Melbourne, has chosen Tasmanian Community Foundation to distribute $75,000 in gift vouchers to Tasmanian families in need this Christmas.
• Tasmania has been chosen as one of only two regions in Australia to receive such a gift in 2003, (the other being the Western region of Melbourne) following a highly successful distribution of $10,000 in 2002.
• The Community Foundation acts on behalf of donors and this opportunity is another example of how the organisation ensures, as far as possible, the effective distribution of grants to eligible beneficiaries.
• The vouchers are specifically for children in the 10 - 16 year age group and will be distributed to parents who may otherwise be hard pressed to afford a gift for their children. The vouchers are redeemable in Coles Myer stores throughout Tasmania.
• The Tasmanian Community Foundation invites authorised charitable organisations and service clubs to make contact with the foundation if they are able to distribute vouchers to families in need with children in the nominated age group.
• All enquiries and information to:
  The Executive Office,
  Scott Marshall, "Gifts with Dignity Program",
  c/o Tasmanian Community Foundation,
  PO Box 2062, Launceston 7250.
  Contact phone number (0407) 894 097.