Starting the year with purpose, connection and generosity: A note from CEO Maree Sidey
Maree Sidey, CEO, Philanthropy Australia
Thu, 5 Feb 2026
As we share the first edition of Giving News for 2026, it feels a little late to say Happy New Year. Yet the sense of renewal that comes with a new year remains important. Many communities have experienced a difficult beginning to the year. Recent weeks have brought moments of grief and disruption, including violent incidents affecting Jewish and Aboriginal communities, and early bushfires and sudden flooding across the country.
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How giving can enable long-term renewal in disaster-affected communities
Thu, 5 Feb 2026
This summer, communities across Victoria and New South Wales have withstood the worst of catastrophic bushfires and, tragically, five people lost their lives. Flooding in western Queensland has also caused devastating losses in remote communities. Natalie Egleton, CEO of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), shares with Giving News how philanthropy can enable long-term renewal in disaster-affected communities, not just short-term recovery.
Vale Professor Emma Johnston AO
Thu, 5 Feb 2026
The philanthropy and environmental sectors are mourning the loss of Professor Emma Johnston AO, whose leadership, intellect and generosity shaped some of Australia’s most significant conservation and sector strengthening initiatives, according to tributes paid by sector leaders this week.
In the wake of Bondi: Choosing humanity over hate
Amanda Miller OAM, Co-Chair, Philanthropy Australia
Wed, 17 Dec 2025
On Sunday night, when news broke of the attack at Bondi, I felt anguish, heartbreak and betrayal. To see such an act of antisemitic violence against the Jewish community unfold in Australia was unfathomable. It shook something in all of us. My most heartfelt condolences are with the victims, their families, and everyone whose sense of safety has been upended, as mine very much has.
Philanthropy Australia’s 50th anniversary celebrations go off with a bang!
Fri, 12 Dec 2025
From Terracotta Warriors to hungry giant pandas and joyful artworks, Philanthropy Australia’s 50th celebrations have now all gone off in great style – what a memorable way to kick off our year of commemoration and end 2025! Almost 800 guests joined us at stunning venues across the country to share stories and memories of five decades of giving, knowledge sharing and collective achievement.
NFP Sector Development Blueprint ‘coming to life’
Dee Rudebeck, News & Storytelling Advisor
Fri, 12 Dec 2025
The Not-for-profit Sector Development Blueprint was released in late 2024 and set out a 10-year plan to strengthen Australia’s charities and community organisations to make them ‘future ready’. While the government has not formally accepted the Blueprint, elements are being adopted operationally, say two of its key creators who spoke to Giving News.
Building an enabling environment for giving: Sharing Australian insights in Ireland
Fri, 12 Dec 2025
Philanthropy Australia’s Executive Director for Policy and Sector Development, Krystian Seibert, visited Dublin as a guest of Philanthropy Ireland in October. Giving News sat down with Krystian for chat about some highlights from the visit.
