Latest Telescope report highlights cost-of-living and collaboration as big issues for 2024

A new report has revealed the philanthropic sector’s issues and ideas for the coming year. Philanthropy Australia’s second annual Better Philanthropy Telescope report has taken the pulse of the sector to help identify the trends, issues and opportunities that will shape the giving agenda this year.

The community-created report outlines the local, national and world issues that philanthropists and not-for-profits will face together in 2024. More than 110 people from across the country responded to the Telescope survey.

Adam Ognall, Executive Director Engagement at Philanthropy Australia indicated that the report had two standout themes.

“The first headline is how philanthropy responds to the cost-of-living crisis; from how it is shaping giving priorities through to its effect on giving levels.

“The second key theme is the rise of collaboration. Funders are increasingly looking to partner with their peers as well as build stronger partnerships and long-term relationships with not-for-profits, communities and government,” Adam said.

The survey responses identified the top 10 ideas that will matter in 2024:

1. Funding collaboratively
2. Partnering for impact
3. Telling philanthropy’s story
4. Focusing on impact
5. Responding to growing need (cost-of-living crisis)
6. Investing with impact
7. Valuing relationships for the long term
8. Building capacity in lean times
9. Applying AI
10. Powering impact with data and evidence

The big issues:

1. Cost-of-living crisis
2. Climate
3. First Nations
4. Policy direction
5. Global events

Philanthropy Australia looks forward to exploring these themes through our learning and content activities this year, not least at our National Conference in August 2024 in Adelaide.

To find out more, download our Better Philanthropy Telescope 2024 report.