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Fundraisers In Your Community

Here at the Perkins, we’re committed to helping you, and those you love, live longer, healthier and better lives. Our researchers are tackling some of the hardest‑to‑treat diseases, driving breakthroughs that bring real hope to families and our WA community. 

There are no new cures without research. And there is no research without support from kind people in the community who give to the Perkins.   

Part of our commitment to ensuring WA-led research can continue without interruption is to have conversations in the community to encourage you to become part of the Perkins family. We want to bring the Perkins to you so that you can make a choice if you wish to back WA breakthroughs.    

Right now, we have professional face-to-face fundraisers working to raise awareness and funds for our groundbreaking research by visiting homes in designated areas around WA. They are talking to people about the important research projects happening right in WA and asking people to make a monthly donation to support this work. And, importantly, your donations stay in WA, backing local research with global impact.  

You might have already met one of our fundraisers or seen them around your neighbourhood and have questions. Below are some of the common questions we get asked and their answers. 

FAQs

Why are the Perkins using this method of fundraising?

It might be surprising, but face-to-face fundraising is one of the best ways to introduce generous people in our community – people like you – to our lifesaving research.  

The Perkins is home to hundreds of talented and passionate WA researchers working to beat the deadliest diseases that impact our community. Despite the obvious need for this groundbreaking research, WA receives shockingly low medical research funding – less than the rest of the country. For every 100 grants awarded nationally, WA receives less than 3.  

We also have national charities entering WA with face-to-face programs that do not guarantee that funds stay in WA.  

We need to protect these potentially game-changing research projects by rapidly increasing available funding.  Growing our regular monthly giving program (which we call The Spark) is one of the most effective and sustainable ways to do this. 

It is successful because you are encouraged to have a personal interaction with a knowledgeable and passionate fundraiser. You can ask them questions about the Perkins, discuss the level of giving that is right for you, and properly consider the meaning and impact of your decisions before committing.  

Face-to-face fundraising is used by the most respected charities around the world for over 20 years. Across the charity sector, about 80% of all donors who give a monthly gift first donate via face-to-face. It’s one of the most effective ways to engage passionate members of the public who wish to support worthy causes.  

The Spark monthly giving program is one of the most secure and effective ways of supporting medical research at the Perkins. It provides a predictable and sustainable stream of income to our researchers, driving WA breakthroughs and saving lives.  

Is face-to-face fundraising regulated?

Yes. Face-to-face fundraising is heavily regulated. All activities must comply with all regulations set by state and territory governments and local authorities.  

We require our suppliers to comply with lawful workplace policies and processes, along with the appropriate fundraising standards and codes of conduct. We take our obligations very seriously and expect our suppliers to as well. 

Our suppliers are members of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA), which is the self-regulatory body for face-to-face fundraising in Australia. The PFRA works with charities, professional fundraising organisations, local authorities and the police to ensure high standards in the industry and to resolve potential issues. You can learn more about the PFRA here. 

What time do your fundraisers work?

Our fundraisers are currently working in WA and may visit between 9 am and 6 pm from Monday to Saturday. They do not fundraise on Sundays or public holidays.  

If a Perkins fundraiser engages you at a time or place you don’t think they should, please contact us 08 6151 1220 or email [email protected]. 

How will I know they are legitimate Perkins fundraisers?

Our fundraisers will be wearing branded Perkins t-shirts (blue with coloured circles across the bottom) and will have an ID photo-card telling you who they are fundraising for. If you are unsure about a fundraiser, ask to see this ID.  

If you’d like to confirm if you’ve spoken to a legitimate Perkins fundraiser, please contact us on 08 6151 1220 or email [email protected]. 

Are your fundraisers trained?

Yes. Our fundraisers go through a thorough onboarding process and are continuously trained to maintain the high standard that we expect from anyone representing the Perkins.  

How do I give feedback?

Your experience with our fundraisers is important to us, and your feedback is encouraged – positive or constructive. Please contact Marnie on 08 6151 1243 or email [email protected] if you would like to give feedback. 

Can I give a cash donation to a face-to-face fundraiser?

No, our fundraisers cannot accept cash donations due to the challenges of security and cash handling legislative procedures. They are only allowed to ask for ongoing donations through direct debit or credit card, which is captured securely and electronically.   

If a fundraiser asks you for cash, they may not be genuine, so please report this to us on 08 6151 1220 or email [email protected]. 

If you would like to give a cash donation, please call Lynda on 08 6151 0772 or email [email protected].  

How much of my gift will go to the research?

Growing the community of Spark regular givers by working with third-party face-to-face fundraising providers is currently one of the most cost-effective and sustainable ways to ensure WA research can continue no matter what.   

We pay a one-off fee for each new Spark monthly donor who kindly decides to support us. There are no ongoing fees to the supplier after the initial payment, and it is important to note that this fee comes from a pre-allocated budget, not out of an individual’s donation.  

Because of how much we value our Spark monthly donors, you may choose to give for several years. Many often support in other ways over that time, making face-to-face fundraising a very cost-effective way to raise funds over the long-term. 

Do my donations stay in WA?

Yes. The Perkins is a WA-led medical research institute. Unlike some other charities that are currently targeting WA, when you give to the Perkins, your funds stay right here – supporting WA researchers tackling some of the world’s toughest diseases.  

Why don't you use volunteers?

Volunteers play a vital role in many areas of our work; in fact, last year, more than 500 volunteers gave over 3,800 hours to support medical research at the Perkins.  

Our regular giving program requires significant and consistent resourcing, and we believe that professionally trained, paid team members are the best way to do this. Professional face-to-face fundraisers can provide the level of expertise needed to sustainably grow the Spark regular giving community to support our vital research projects.  

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer, please visit our volunteering page here. We would love to welcome you to our friendly, supportive community of volunteers.  

Why don't you run your own face-to-face fundraising team?

Working with third-party face-to-face fundraising providers is currently one of the most cost-effective and sustainable ways to secure donations. Using the services and infrastructure of a specialist third party for this type of fundraising across WA is more cost-effective than employing our own team, and results in much better fundraising to support medical research. 

How are face-to-face fundraisers paid?

The fundraising specialists we work with pay their staff in accordance with the Fair Work Australia rules, which set out entitlements and rights of workers.  

How do you ensure a vulnerable person isn’t signed up for a donation?

Our responsible and ethical fundraisers abide by strict codes of conduct and rules about whom they can and cannot sign up, and one of those groups is vulnerable people. We take this very seriously. Our fundraisers are trained to notice signs of vulnerability and will ask questions to ascertain if an ongoing donation is right for a potential donor.  

How do you ensure the security of my personal data?

We take the security of your personal details extremely seriously and have robust measures in place to protect them. Our fundraisers are trained to uphold strict security protocols and adhere to our privacy policy.  

If you would like to speak to someone about the security of your data, please call us 08 6151 0700 or email [email protected].  

How do you choose which fundraising specialists to work with?

Our external suppliers are subject to a stringent due diligence process, including, but not limited to, a review of security protocols, fair work requirements, employment processes and financial modelling. We like to think of them as an extension of our internal team, and as such, reflect the same passion and care for supporting medical research. 

Your experience with our fundraisers is very important to us, and your feedback is always welcome. Please contact Marnie on 08 6151 1243 or email [email protected] if you would like to give feedback – positive or constructive. 

If you have a specific question or would prefer to speak to someone at the Perkins, please phone us on 08 6151 1220 or email [email protected].