FREE 3D HANDS LTD

Donation Funded iconThis charity receives a significant portion of its funding (specifically, more than 30% of its total revenue) directly from donations and bequests. This indicates that public contributions are a crucial financial lifeline for their mission.Volunteer Powered iconThis charity relies heavily on the incredible dedication of volunteers. It means their operations are significantly powered by volunteer efforts, where the collective contribution of volunteers is either substantial compared to paid staff, or their work is entirely run by volunteers. Your time and skills could make a huge difference here!Tax Deductible iconThis charity or fund is currently recognised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Donations of $2 or more made to this entity are tax-deductible for the donor. This status is typically derived from official ABR (Australian Business Register) data and signifies eligibility for DGR status.
Website:
free3dhands.org/
ABN:
69 632 562 291
Location:
Newhaven, VIC
Charity Size:
MediumMedium-sized charities, with an annual revenue of $500,000 to under $3 million, strike a balance between local connection and broader reach. They've grown beyond grassroots efforts and established more formal structures, enabling them to tackle larger projects and reach a wider audience.

These charities might run multiple programs across a region, advocate for systemic change, or deliver specialised services to a specific group of people. They offer a diverse range of opportunities for involvement, from skilled volunteering in areas like marketing or finance to participating in community education programs.

Registration Status:
Registeredthe charity’s registration is active
Religious Affiliation:
No Religious AffiliationThis category comprises charities that do not have any religious affiliation. They operate independently of specific religious doctrines and focus on their mission based on secular principles
DGR Status:
Tax DeductibleThis charity or fund is currently recognised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Donations of $2 or more made to this entity are tax-deductible for the donor. This status is typically derived from official ABR (Australian Business Register) data and signifies eligibility for DGR status.
We remain dedicated towards designing and manufacturing 3D printed hands and assistive devices, offering them globally at no cost. We utilise feedback from recipients to continuously improve our designs. We have increased our impact exponentially via opensource sharing of our designs. Over 10,000 individuals and organisations worldwide now produce our devices which can be made for onethousandth the cost of commercial equivalents, supporting the 90% of people globally who cannot access or afford assistive technology. In December, we finalised our Kinetic Arm design for transradial arm differences which is manufacturable for $20 in materials. Two volunteers with congenital arm differences fieldtested the Kinetic Arm, providing critical feedback towards finalising the design. We’re currently preparing an assembly manual for a 2024 opensource release. From February, one of the field testers will join our team as a fulltime mechatronic engineer, enhancing our inhouse testing and reducing development leadtimes. We piloted our Creative Design Thinking STEM curriculum in over 20 Victorian schools and during a oneweek online session with students in Nigeria. This curriculum, releasing in Q1 2024, is a free resource for teachers, designed for Year 2 to Year 8 students, fostering inclusivity, creativity, and designing for all abilities. We continued engaging with the limb difference community, with CEO Mat Bowtell volunteering for the 5th consecutive year as a leader at Amp Camp, holding a workshop at the Australian Hand Therapy Association annual conference, and facilitating a 3D hand recipient’s participation as a junior mascot at an AFL game. Mat was also honoured to receive the Lions International Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for humanitarian service. We maintain environmental sustainability, operating completely on solar power and exporting 70% of electricity back to the grid. We use cornstarchbased PLA plastic for most devices, recycling scrap material with Monash University Precious Plastics. Generous anonymous philanthropic support covered our team’s wages this year, allowing us to increase our focus on design and innovation. Our rentfree operation, under a tenyear agreement, has also helped us to minimise overheads. Our 2028 5year strategic plan aims for sustainable growth through engineering team expansion, increasing manufacturing hours by 166% and design hours by 1000%, contingent on ongoing annual support. We’re developing a lowcost bionic arm, alongside a bionic glove for those with cerebral palsy, stroke and multiple neurological conditions. We’ve acquired five highspeed 3D printers, reducing printing leadtime by 400% and enabling the use of advanced materials like carbonfibre reinforced PA12 nylon. We would like to express our immense gratitude for the community’s love, kindness, and generous support, which fuels our mission towards making assistive technology globally accessible for all.

Only Active in Australia

Staffing DetailsCharities report the number of full-time, part-time, and casual employees, as well as volunteers, for the last pay period of their reporting year.

MetricCharity ValueThis charity's own reported figure, taken from its most recently lodged Annual Information Statement (AIS) with the ACNC.Average (Small)The average figure across all Australian charities of the same size category (Small, Medium, or Large), based on their most recently lodged Annual Information Statements.
Full Time235
Part Time10
Casual60
Volunteers627
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) is a calculation that represents the number of full-time employees a charity would have if you combined the hours of all its part-time and casual staff.0.002.16
FTE to Volunteer RatioThis ratio compares the number of volunteers to the number of paid full-time equivalent staff. A higher percentage indicates a greater reliance on volunteers.0%5057%
Avg Employee Expenses per FTEThis is the average amount of employee-related expenses (like salary and benefits) spent per full-time equivalent staff member.$0$81,231

Related Party TransactionsA transaction between the charity and a person or entity closely connected to the charity, such as a board member, a major donor, or their family members. These must be disclosed to ensure transparency.

Reporting on related party transactions is not required for small charities.

Key Management Personnel (KMP)Key Management Personnel (KMP) are the people who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the charity's activities. This typically includes board members and senior executives.

Reporting on Key Management Personnel remuneration is only required for large charities.

Most Recent Annual Information Submitted 2023

Lodgement was submitted on time.

Reporting Requirements for a Small Charity (Annual revenue under $500,000)

Small charities must submit an Annual Information Statement (AIS) but are not required to submit a full financial report. This means they do not have to provide a detailed breakdown of assets and liabilities or submit audited financial statements, though they must keep financial records.

CategoryCharity ValueThis charity's own reported figure, taken from its most recently lodged Annual Information Statement (AIS) with the ACNC.Australian Average (Small)The average figure across all Australian charities of the same size category (Small, Medium, or Large), based on their most recently lodged Annual Information Statements.
Net Surplus/DeficitThe difference between a charity's total income and its total expenses for the reporting period. A surplus means income was greater than expenses, while a deficit means expenses were greater than income.$-5,187$1,821
Net Assets/LiabilitiesThe value of what a charity owns (assets) minus what it owes (liabilities). This is also known as total equity or net worth, representing the overall financial position.$478,520$0
Total RevenueTotal Revenue plus Other Income. It represents the total income before any expenses are deducted.$345,619$79,129
Revenue from GovernmentFunding received from local, state, or federal government bodies, including grants and contracts for services. $0 $12,204
Donations and BequestsIncome received from individuals, foundations, or corporations in the form of gifts, donations, and bequests (gifts left in a will). $337,892 $28,746
Revenue from Goods and ServicesIncome generated from selling goods or providing services that are part of the charity's mission or fundraising activities. $7,727 $17,922
Revenue from InvestmentsIncome earned from the charity's investments, such as interest from bank accounts, dividends from shares, and rent from property. $0 $7,090
Other RevenueIncome from any other sources that don't fit into the main categories. $0 $7,559
Other IncomeOther non-operating income, such as one-off gains from the sale of assets. $0 $5,607
Total Gross IncomeTotal Revenue plus Other Income. It represents the total income before any expenses are deducted. $345,619 $79,129
Total ExpensesThe total cost incurred by the charity in carrying out its activities, including program, administrative, and fundraising costs.$350,806$77,309
Employee ExpensesAll costs related to paying staff, including salaries and wages, superannuation, and other employee benefits. $263,569 $19,898
Grants and Donations (Australia)Funds and donations distributed by the charity to other organisations or individuals within Australia to support their work. $0 $14,184
Grants and Donations (Overseas)Funds and donations distributed by the charity to other organisations or individuals outside of Australia for international aid and development. $0 $3,352
Other ExpensesAll other operational expenses not classified elsewhere, such as administration, fundraising, and program-specific costs. $87,237 $39,874
Total AssetsThe total value of everything the charity owns that has monetary value, including cash, investments, buildings, and equipment.$882,403$635,756
Total LiabilitiesThe total amount of money and obligations the charity owes to others.$403,883$69,335