Donation Policy

Effective Date: 20 October 2025

The Australian Charity for Burundi is dedicated to supporting poverty-reducing projects in Burundi. We rely on the generosity of our supporters. This policy sets out the principles governing how ACB manages donations, ensures transparency, and addresses refunds.

1. Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Status and Tax Receipts

1.1 Tax Deductibility: ACB is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). This means that all donations of $2 or more made to ACB are tax-deductible for Australian taxpayers.

1.2 Tax Receipts: Tax receipts for donations made through the MyCause platform are issued by the MyCause Gift Fund, as per their terms and conditions, and will be issued to the email address provided by the donor during the transaction. It is the donor’s responsibility to retain this receipt for tax purposes.

1.3 What Constitutes a Gift: A gift is a voluntary transfer of money or property for which the donor receives no material benefit or advantage in return. If you receive a benefit (e.g., a ticket to a dinner, raffle entry), the amount deductible may be subject to ATO rules regarding contributions.

2. Donation Processing (mycause)

2.1 Payment Gateway: All online donations to ACB are processed securely via our trusted payment platform partner, MyCause (MyCause Gift Fund).

2.2 Mycause Terms and Conditions: By donating to ACB, the donor acknowledges and agrees to the terms and conditions set out by the mycause platform, which cover payment security, transaction processing, and data handling. These terms are available here.

2.3 Fees: ACB receives the net amount of the donation after mycause’s standard platform and processing fees have been deducted, or if the donor chooses to cover these fees.

2.4 Data Sharing: In accordance with our Privacy Policy and mycause’s terms, your donor data (including name, contact information, and donation amount) is passed on to ACB to allow us to manage our supporter relationship and communicate the impact of your gift.

3. Use of Funds

3.1 General Use: ACB’s mission is to support poverty-reducing projects by implementing effective strategies such as resource management, fundraising, and networking. All funds donated are directed towards these charitable purposes.

3.2 Administration Costs: To ensure the effective delivery of our mission, a portion of all general donations is allocated to essential administration and fundraising costs, including project monitoring, governance, and financial accountability. This enables ACB to be an effective, compliant, and sustainable organisation.

3.3 Designated Appeals: While ACB attempts to direct gifts to a particular project or appeal as designated by the donor, ACB retains the discretion to determine the allocation of funds in a manner that best supports our overall charitable mission, particularly in cases of changing need, or if a project is fully funded or cancelled.

4. Donation Refund Policy

ACB is committed to acting with integrity and transparency. We treat all refund requests with discretion and sensitivity.

4.1 General Policy (Change of Mind): As a registered charity, ACB is under no obligation to refund a donation where a donor has simply had a change of mind. We ask all donors to carefully consider their decision to donate.

4.2 Refund Eligibility (Exceptional Circumstances): Refunds will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the ACB Board, which may include:

  • A processing error (e.g., incorrect amount entered by ACB.
  • A proven instance of unauthorised card use.
  • A recurring donation that was not correctly cancelled after a formal request was made.

4.3 Procedure for Refund Request:

  • Time Limit: You have 5 days from the date of the transaction to submit a refund request.
  • Contact: All requests must be made in writing to the ACB Treasurer/Complaints Officer.
  • Email: info@acb.org.au
  • Information Required: The request must include the full name of the donor, the donation date and amount, the receipt number (if available), and a clear explanation of the reason for the refund request.

4.4 Refund Terms:

  • Tax Receipt Invalidity: If a donation is refunded, the original tax receipt becomes void and invalid. It is the donor’s responsibility to destroy the invalid receipt and only submit correct information to the ATO.
  • Fees: ACB reserves the right to deduct any non-recoverable transaction, processing, or bank fees from the refunded amount.

5. Contact for Donations

For questions, requests for correction of donor details, or to submit a refund request, please contact:

The Treasurer/Complaints Officer
Australian Charity for Burundi (ACB)
Email: info@acb.org.au
Mail: 329/98-100 Elisabeth Street
Melbourne VIC 3000