Fundraising and sponsorship
Fundraising
Donations made to the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), or your local Rural Fire Brigade, directly benefit volunteer firefighters and are always gratefully received. Many local Rural Fire Brigades conduct fundraising through doorknocks, letterbox drops, or at community functions. These proceeds directly assist brigades in conducting their community activities.
NSW Rural Fire Service Brigades and Donations Fund
The NSW RFS Donations Fund is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission and, like many of its brigades, holds Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status which makes any donation received over $2.00 tax deductible.
You can make a donation, in support of our volunteers, by visiting our donations page.
Beware of bogus fundraising or advertising requests
As a general policy, the NSW RFS does not seek donations over the telephone. Any member collecting on behalf of the Service should be in full uniform and be able to readily identify themselves.
The NSW Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA), an independent and separate organisation which represents our volunteers and staff, does sell raffle tickets over the telephone as a fundraising initiative. These raffles are conducted through a telemarketing company and comply with the requirements of the NSW Department of Gaming and Racing. The operators are required to establish their bona fides and offer a return call number. The Association may also send out pledge letters but does not solicit donations.
Please contact the RFSA on 02 4722 2122 or via their website for further information.
The NSW RFS encourages businesses to use caution when approached for donations or advertising. If you believe you have provided money or information to an organisation falsely representing the Service or its members, you should contact Police or the Department of Fair Trading. If you believe a magazine, advertising sales or fundraising call is not legitimate, contact SCAMwatch.
Sponsors
As the world's largest volunteer firefighting agency and with strong community foundations, the NSW RFS maintains a highly desirable and marketable brand that maintains strong interest from the corporate sector. Many businesses consider being strategically aligned with us and our reputation, community standing and highly recognisable corporate identity as beneficial.
There are many existing sponsorship opportunities from individual event-based packages through to long term individually tailored multi-faceted partnerships.
Advertising
The NSW RFS offers advertising opportunities in its publication The Bush Fire Bulletin, the official journal of the NSW RFS which has been in circulation for 60 years.
The Bush Fire Bulletin is published three times a year and is read by the 70,000 NSW RFS volunteers and staff, students in schools across the State, staff in related government agencies and members of the general public. Around 26,000 copies of the magazine are distributed to brigades, Fire Control Centres and educational institutions in NSW and around Australia. It is also available electronically on the Bush Fire Bulletin page.
Email the NSW RFS Executive Support section at executive.support@rfs.nsw.gov.au for information or assistance with:
- Fundraising
- Partnership Programs and Sponsorship
- Advertising