The bushfires of late 2019/early 202 were frightening and devastating for so many. But they also showed the incredible generosity of everyday Australians through an extraordinary level of donations. Many fundraisers wanted to understand the implications of this outpouring of giving on their own programs and public attitudes to charities. This comprehensive public research project surveyed over 1,000 Australians to understand their motivations, experiences and expectations from giving to a bushfire appeal. Featured in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, the research revealed high confidence in charities but unrealistic expectations for how quickly funds would be distributed as well as the surge in new Facebook donors inspired by Celeste Barber.