The Importance of Trust & the Celeste Barber Fundraising Controversy

There is one issue dominating the media right now in the charity space and it’s the Celeste Barber Facebook fundraiser and the recent court ruling about the funds disbursement. This could be a watershed moment for our sector and for Facebook fundraising.

Recently the NSW Supreme Court handed down its findings regarding comedian Celeste Barber’s Facebook fundraiser, ruling the $51million collected is unable to be dispersed across State and Territory borders or organisations.

More than 1.3 million people gave to the fundraiser making it the biggest single fundraiser in Facebook’s history worldwide. The fundraiser was aimed at assisting communities, service providers and volunteers affected by the catastrophic fires that tore through the country’s eastern states. The majority of supporters trusted the money they gave could be split and given out as needed.

Along with money, supporters handed over their hope and trust.

Many have since commented they feel let down and ripped off.

Others have loudly expressed their distrust of social media fundraisers, celebrities, charities and the legal system.

These people say they won’t use social media as a platform to raise money. But worse, they won’t give to charity again.

Alecia takes a look at the conversations are happening on social media, the risk to the sector,  the importance of building trust, Facebook fundraisers and how they work and shares the 5 things you can do as a cause organisation to build trust.