Mission Without Borders does not qualify for Deductible Gift Recipient Status (Tax Deductibility) as the ministry of Mission Without Borders is ‘Reaching People for Christ’, which essentially means Christian witness is central to all our ministry. Christian witness intertwined with humanitarian aid work is not an acceptable combination for an organisation attracting tax deductible gifts in Australia. For Mission Without Borders, we are not willing to water down our Christian ministry for the sake of tax deductibility, as we believe this holistic ministry that encompasses Spiritual, Emotional, Educational and Material elements (our S.E.E.M. framework of support), is what God has called us to do. If you consider other organisations in Australia that do attract tax deductibility and are overtly Christian, they would have secured tax deductibility before the Australian Government tightened their rules.In addition, the Australian government classifies countries in one of two categories, either Developed or Developing. Half of our field countries are considered developed and therefore our ministry in these countries would never qualify for tax deductibility. This view of the Australia government does not accurately reflect the reality of the tremendous poverty the children, families, disabled and elderly in Eastern Europe endure and the crucial nature of our ministry. The Australian government believes our focus of assistance should be in our own ‘backyard’; in the Pacific, Asia, as well as extending support to Africa.

As at May 2011, it appears the Australian government is determined to tighten the rules even further, which means we are further away from securing tax deductibility than we have ever been. It is point of prayer, as the government is threatening to target all forms of ministry being undertaken by religious groups, be that in Australia and overseas.

I would like to say thank you for your willingness to support our ministry, despite the lack of tax deductibility. We will continue to monitor the situation and if the rules are relaxed we will once again pursue securing tax deductibility.Thanks for your partnership,

Michelle Dorey

National Director

Mission Without Borders Australia