ACON is the AIDS Council of NSW. Its primary mission is to “promote the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexuality, sex and gender diverse people“.
ACON’s major funding source is NSW Health. ACON receives $17 million per year in grants.
Grants
From the 2020/2021 annual financial report: most of ACON’s annual income is from grants.
| Source of funds | Amount |
|---|---|
| Grants – NSW Health | $12,639,286 |
| Grants – Local Health Districts | $584,291 |
| Grants – “Other grants” | $3,682,200 |
| Total grants | $16,905,777 |
How does Pride in Diversity fit? It is mentioned in the annual financial report as one of the undertakings that will achieve the goal of Advocating and Promoting Social Inclusion:
“Providing LGBTI employees within Australian workplaces targeted initiatives via
education and benchmarking and through the Pride in Diversity Program.”
Pride in Diversity is instrumental in “establishing Partnerships with government, other NGO’s, health care providers, researchers and affected communities”. That is to say, lobbying.
Additional monies promised
On 16 March 2022, Brad Hazzard MP announced a huge boost in funding to ACON. The announcement came as part of launching the first NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy.
A new health centre is being created for trans healthcare. “NSW Government will invest $4.2m towards the Health Centre’s establishment”. This money goes to ACON. This is part of a $12 million package.
Goods and services
The Pride in Diversity franchise has developed into a business with significant value. The 2020/2021 annual financial report also lists over $3 million income from “fee for service”.
| Source of funds | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fee for service | $3,235,712 |
It is estimated that Pride in Diversity generates $2 million in membership revenue. It also offers consulting services and training. It is likely that this $3.2 million amount represents the value of the Pride in Diversity business.
Pride in Diversity Revenue
Membership
Estimated revenue from Pride in Diversity memberships = $2,070,500
| Sector | Membership Breakdown | Total Value |
| Federal | 37 Standard ($6,000) 2 Principal Members ($10,250) | $242,500 |
| State | 33 Standard ($6,000) 3 Principal Members ($10,250) | $228,000 |
| Local | 5 Standard ($6,000) | $30,000 |
| Not For Profit | 8 Standard ($6,000) | $48,000 |
| Education | 20 Standard ($6,000) 2 Principal Members ($10,250) | $140,000 |
| Private | 14 Standard 207 Principal Members ($10,250) | $1,382,000 |
*Assuming most members pay the standard membership rate
See –
AWEI-Driven Sponsorship and Support
There are several questions in the AWEI which encourage donation to LGBTQ Charities. ACON qualifies as an LGBTQ charity.
Government agencies including Australian Taxation Office, ASIO and SBS have paid to sponsored the AWEI Awards.
There are platinum (1), gold (1), silver (2) and bronze (4) sponsorship levels. Along with “media partners” and “digital partners” who provide free services, and other sponsors.
For example, each year Australian Taxation Office (ATO) donates $11,000 to be listed as a silver sponsor.
The ATO lists this donation on their AWEI response and receives 2 AWEI points.
The ATO are proud sponsors of the Pride in Diversity Australian Workplace Equality Index Awards and in the 2020 year we were able to contribute a portion of our sponsorship as a donation to Pride in Diversity.
Australian Taxation Office – Q40 AWEI Submission 2021
See – AWEI-Driven Sponsorship and Support
Consulting, Training and Gender Affirmations
ACON offers discount consulting rates to Pride in Diversity members at $347 per hour.
| Hours | Non-Member Rates | Member Rates |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $925 | $695 |
| 4 | $1650 | $1250 |
| 6 | $2220 | $1620 |
| 8 | $2695 | $1995 |
| AWEI Debrief | $2474 | included in full membership |
Examples of consulting include:
SBS used paid Pride in Diversity consulting time to develop an LGBTQ training course.
Pride in Diversity also offer a corporate “gender affirmation” service. The consultants conduct a series of workshops to facilitate an employee’s gender transition. This includes time spent with the employee, time conducting multi-hour workshops to explain the employee’s needs, and time following up to ensure IT systems have been updated. See – Let’s Talk Gender.
See Also
- ACON’s profile at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
- Financial report – 2020/2021
- ACON
- Annual Reports – 2020/2021
- Constitution
- Let’s Talk Gender – includes gender affirmation guide
- NSW Takes Historic First Step Towards Better Health for LGBTQ People
- ACON Health Centre
- NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy
- Queer Screen – rate card
- Pride in Diversity – Fee for Service Rates
