Giving FAQ
What is Team Support?
Team Support is a model whereby a group of people commits to supporting a Partner through regular prayer, relationship, practical and financial support. On Trackers serving for more than 12 months also raise Team Support to prepare them for long-term service.
How do I join a Support Team?
If you would like to support an Interserve Partner or On Tracker financially, it is easy to set up regular giving online. You can also make arrangements over the phone by calling 1800 067 100, or download and print a PDF form.
One-off donations towards a worker’s team support are also gratefully received. Personal gifts on occasions like birthdays and Christmas may also be channelled through Interserve. These go directly to the recipient and are not tax-deductible.
Support Team members are encouraged to support Partners and On Trackers through prayer, practical support and relationship as well as through finance:
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- Prayer is the essential ingredient of Team Support. Ask your Partner or On Tracker to send you regular updates on how you can pray for them.
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- Practical support needs will be different for every Partner and On Tracker. Can you help pack belongings? Provide IT support? Send newsletters? Host events or help out during Home Assignment? Ask your Partner or On Tracker what would help them, or offer to do something that fits your gifts and talents.
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- Relationship support can take the form of letter writing, visiting on location, sending ‘care packages’ or encouraging in other ways.
Through participating in all the aspects of Team Support, members of the Australian church can help sustain workers practically, spiritually and emotionally.
How much support does a Partner need?
Each Partner and supported On Tracker has a personal fundraising target based on their family make-up, the country in which they will serve, and sometimes their particular placement role.
Team Support covers three main areas:
- A living allowance, rent, travel, medical and dental expenses, schooling, taxation, superannuation and home assignment expenses.
- International medical and emergency evacuation costs, field and international administration and pastoral care costs.
- Interserve Australia’s administration and pastoral care expenses.
Interserve annually reviews the costs involved in keeping Partners overseas or on home assignment.
How does Interserve manage the funds?
Interserve uses a pooling system to financially provide for its Partners. As supporters’ gifts come to Interserve during a Partner’s term, they are allocated to the Partner and placed in a pooled fund from which all allowances and costs are paid. Funds are administered through either a tax-deductible or non-tax-deductible pool, according to the type of work that the Partner is doing. Partners receive monthly reports so donations can be acknowledged and supporters kept up-to-date with ministry happenings.
The advantage for Partners is that Interserve is able to cover individual shortfalls and pay full allowances each quarter even when actual donation income or international exchange rates go up and down. It also helps us to respond quickly to emergency situations.
Other income paid to Interserve, including unallocated gifts, income from special appeals and bequests, is placed in the tax-deductible pool. These funds may be used for home staff and administration, equipment, special projects and grants to projects where our workers are involved.
Can I withdraw from a commitment?
Yes. You can cancel or change your giving at any time by contacting Interserve’s finance team.
Send an email to [email protected] or call us on 1800 067 100.
Are there other ways I can support Interserve?
Interserve has many essential expenses in addition to the direct support of our Partners and On Trackers. These include home staff and administration, equipment, special projects and grants to projects where our workers are involved. One-off donations or regular gifts may be given to the Overseas Aid Fund to be directed ‘where most needed’, or to special projects for which Interserve is responsible.
Other ways to support the work of Interserve:
- Remember Interserve in your will
- Give a gift of shares (contact us for details)
- Pray for our workers and the countries where they serve
- Volunteer your time and skills to help us
- Consider whether God is calling you to serve cross-culturally
Is my donation tax-deductible?
In Australia, a tax deduction can be claimed for donations to certain types of work only.
Donations supporting Interserve’s benevolent work are tax-deductible and are received by Interserve Development Limited. Since the majority of Interserve’s work is in this category, other income (such as unallocated donations, income from special appeals, and bequests) is also received by Interserve Development Limited and is tax-deductible to the giver.
Donations supporting Interserve’s non-development work (such as theological education, classroom teaching or pastoral work) are not tax-deductible, and are received by Interserve Australia Limited.
To whom is Interserve accountable?
Interserve Australia Limited is governed by a board, elected from the membership (see Organisation). Interserve Development Limited is owned by Interserve Australia Limited.
Interserve Australia Limited and Interserve Development Limited are registered with and accountable to the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). Interserve is a member of Missions Interlink and the international Micah Network. Interserve is a child safe organisation.
Interserve maintains annually audited books and records. Annual reports including financial statements are available upon request.
As a Christian organisation, Interserve also recognises accountability to the Lord and to supporters who pray and give.
