First insights into Australia’s mission-aligned investing landscape released
Fri, 5 Sep 2025
The Endowments for Impact Challenge (EFIC) has released its inaugural state-of-the-sector report. The pioneering collaboration between six of Australia’s leading trusts and foundations was launched as a competition last year to showcase innovative strategies for aligning charitable endowments with responsible, mission-driven investment practices. The report captures the insights, trends and lessons that emerged through the process.
Read more
Hugh de Kretser: ‘When human rights are respected, our societies are stronger, healthier and safer’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 5 Sep 2025
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission shares how he's seen philanthropy become more confident in backing advocacy and how important the impact has been. Hugh spoke at the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 and says human rights principles provide a framework for navigating the polycrisis, societal polarisation and rise in racism we're seeing in Australia.
The Canva mission: ‘We want our giving to grow as fast as the company is growing’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Tech company Canva’s unique approach to corporate giving is baked into its business model – to provide its visual communication platform free to educators and not-for-profits. That mission has just passed some remarkable milestones. More than 100 million teachers and students, and 870,000 NFPs in 190 countries now benefit, a gift valued at $1.5bn annually. On top of this, the Canva Foundation gave out $50m+ last year. Head of Social Impact, Robyn King, says there is much more to come.
Leading with hope
Liz Gillies, CEO, Menzies Leadership Foundation
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Liz Gillies, CEO of the Menzies Leadership Foundation, walked away from the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 feeling the urgency of the polycrisis but also buoyed by a 'wellspring of capability and imagination', and a belief that leadership can still shift our trajectory. Here, she offers her reflections and provides a strong call to action for the future.
Impact-driven networks – this is how philanthropy can ‘fund the glue’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Julia Gillard’s call to action was possibly the most oft-repeated at the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025. This Q&A with Darius Polok, Managing Director of the International Alumni Center (iac Berlin), who spoke at the event, delves into how philanthropy can invest in supporting the community networks and ecosystems necessary to achieve systems change. However, this will require shifts in perspective and practice.
Read more: Philanthropy Australia’s recent submissions
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Philanthropy Australia recently made two submissions to the Australian Government, which we are now sharing with members in their final form.
How a leadership program creates catalytic connections across sectors
Katherine Ellis, CEO, Leadership Victoria
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Fellows of the Williamson Community Leadership Program commit to ‘always take the call’ from another Fellow. This creates a web of influence that spans business, government and civil society lasting decades. Katherine Ellis, CEO of Leadership Victoria, which runs the program, says that investment in leadership is an ‘impact accelerator’.
