Activ no longer largest charity

Western Australia’s largest charity has fallen away from its number one position for the first time since 2014, suffering a financial loss of $10.8 million.

According to Business News’ Data & Insights, Activ Foundation has dropped to third largest charitable organisation in WA.

The Wembley-based charity shut down seven of its worksites in July this year, a move that affected more than 700 supported employees and their families.

Activ said the decision was made due to inadequate funding from the federal National Disability Insurance Scheme, and community expectations to shift to away from supported employment environments.

Business News previously reported that the organisation was losing $20,000 day, or $500,000 a month, running its supported employment worksites.

“We took decisive and immediate action as soon as we identified substantial financial challenges for Activ, which if left un-remediated would likely have had catastrophic outcomes,” chief executive Michael Heath said.

Activ chair Marcus Stafford said the past financial year was one of the most difficult years in the charity’s history.

“Those difficulties have included the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the required exit from large-scale workshop disability employment,” Mr Stafford said.

“The board is acutely aware of the very real impact that our decision to exit our loss-making large scale congregate employment services has had on our customers, their families and carers.”

Activ’s total funding and sales income dropped from $115 million in 2021 to $111 million at the close of June 2022.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations has taken over as the largest charity in WA and MSWA has filled second place.