Profile: Ashley Rosshandler

Our organisation: Karma Currency introduced Australia’s first 100% tax deductible Charity Gift Voucher which can give the recipient the pleasure of saving a life, rescuing a child, protecting a forest, educating a mind, or countless other worthwhile deeds.

My responsibilities: Primarily, to make giving easier. If we can make it more rewarding and engaging, even better. We focus on finding ways to increase donations whilst reducing fundraising and admin costs for our 100 plus charity partners.

Our team: Two full-time employees.

Our greatest challenges: Building awareness that our Charity Gift Vouchers are the most innovative, eco-friendly, and socially responsible way to reward and engage with staff and stakeholders. We also want to make it known that our charitable gift registry is now the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

The main difference between the NFP and private sectors: I don’t see too many. If a company goes broke, everyone loses – staff, shareholders, stakeholders.

If a NFP fails, everyone loses – not just the staff but the people and causes they are helping. These organizations need to be well resourced to do good work. My biggest gripe is when Foundations, Government, PPF and other funds will provide backing for some grandiose new project while the NFP cannot afford to run what they already have.

My tips for volunteers: Decide if you need a change from what you do everyday or whether you prefer to use your skills and strengths to make a change. This enables the NFP to meet their expectations and yours as well. Volunteering at its best should feel like a holiday. It should be rewarding and refreshing. If the company you work for doesn’t offer a day or two for volunteering, march up to your boss right now and suggest that you and your colleagues need it.