A NFP service in North West Sydney organizes 3 fund raising evenings over six months, in order to raise $9,000 for an electric wheelchair for a teenager with palsy - a worthy endeavour.

However, during the fund raising period, the organization purchased 6 new motor vehicles and 'traded' 6 existing ones. Each 'traded' vehicle was sold to a motor dealer at between $4,000 - $5,000 less than their true market value.

Had someone had the opportunity to point this out the service would have saved a minimum of $24,000 and as much as $30,000!...

...Perhaps 3 electric wheelchairs worth?

Purchase and disposal policies of motor vehicles across the NFP community range from being very ad hoc to well structured and considered. There are a substantive number of small to medium NFP entities that have neither the internal resources or experience to implement a cogent and cost effective strategy.

Many organizations have better things to do with their time than allocate resources to mitigate the cost of vehicle ownership. Most are trying to achieve a high standard of service delivery on behalf of whom they exist.

Services that operate in the areas of social provision for children, aged care, disability and mental health provision are traditionally revenue deficient. They are constantly seeking methods by which to retain a larger share of the revenue they generate, either through statutory or voluntary funding and allocate it to the most socially compelling needs.

Whilst ACBS cannot assist directly in accessing additional revenue funding it can help re-direct some existing revenue into those identified areas by showing how best to minimize the cost of vehicle ownership.

ACBS can demonstrate how to implement strategies utilizing existing internal resources, or undertake the process on behalf of the NFP.

ACBS normally operates on a 'fee for service' arrangement with it's Corporate clients. In deference to the social context of NFP's we wave those fees and provide advice and implementation at no cost.

In 2008 it is our intention to demonstrate a saving across the NFP sector of $5,000,000 by the implementation of policies and strategies advised by ACBS across the NFP family.