United Way Australia Governance Statement 2024

Our Approach to Governance 

The United Way Australia (UWA) management system is the framework of policies, procedures and processes by which we operate, and through which our people are both empowered and accountable for making decisions that affect our operations, donors, volunteers and partners. Our approach to governance is based on our Code of Ethics that underpin our day-to-day activities.

As a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) we follow the ACNC Governance Standards and the UWA Constitution.

Licences

UWA is licenced by United Way Worldwide (UWW) to use the United Way brand and intellectual property in Australia.

UWA is licenced by the Dollywood Foundation to replicate the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in communities in Australia.

UWA holds fundraising licences in NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria and is registered with the ACNC as a Public Benevolent Institution and with the ATO as a Deductible Gift Recipient (as an organisation).

Affiliated entities

UWA has several affiliates that are licenced to use the United Way brand but operate as separate legal entities.

The Board

The Board is comprised of up to 15 Non Executive members.

The UWA Board is governed by the Board Charter which sets out:

• The Board composition and the roles and responsibilities of the Board, the Chair, Individual Directors, the CEO and Company Secretary.
• Board evaluation. 
• Board sub committees.

Sub Committees

Our Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and the Nominations and Remunerations Committee.

Key Policies

UWA has several Board approved policies covering regulatory and human resource compliance including Code of Ethics, whistleblower protections and delegated authorities.

We have several key policies that seek to manage our regulatory compliance and human resource requirements, including:

Risk Management

Our Risk Management Framework describes our approach for managing the material risks we face. The Risk Management Framework, Risk Policy and Board Risk Appetite Statement are reviewed every two years by the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and the Board.

Fundraising

UWA is committed to conducting fundraising activities in a manner that directly supports its core purpose and objectives. The following principles reflect our approach to our direct fundraising activities:

• We regularly assess and monitor potential reputational risks arising from
  partnerships with funders to ensure alignment with our values and mission.
• Our governance process includes a thorough review of potential funders values,
  priorities and background.

Financial Reporting and Disclosure

Approach

The Board and the Finance Risk and Audit Committee oversee the integrity of the financial statements and financial reporting systems.

Internal Assurance

The UWA Internal Controls plan monitors compliance to both our regulatory obligations and to internal polices and processes for each key function.

External Auditor

The external auditor is appointed by the Board and undertakes an annual audit of the financial statements and verifies the health of the UWA internal control environment annually.