Deep thinking and a daring step into public policy: the Watertrust story
Nick Place
Fri, 1 Mar 2024
Watertrust Australia is an independent NFP that seeks to find common ground among users, First Nation groups, environmentalists, river communities and others on water and catchment policy – in the driest inhabited continent in the world. Here, we tell the story of its inception and establishment in 2021, funded by a coalition 16 philanthropic partners. It’s a prime example of the recent boost to environmental funding referenced in AEGN’s new report.
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Q&A with Penny Dakin, outgoing CEO of ARACY: ‘Philanthropy’s willingness to be brave and bold will be key’
Fri, 15 Dec 2023
Philanthropy and government have come together to improve the wellbeing and opportunities of children and young people in what could be the largest ever structured collaboration between the sectors in the country’s history. The Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children is shaping up as an unprecedented, long-term, integrated approach to support young people and their families to thrive – with community and First Nations voices to be at its heart. ARACY - Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth is acting as the Strategic Convenor of this important initiative.
Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children gets under way at Canberra roundtable
Fri, 8 Dec 2023
Philanthropy and government have come together in what could be the largest ever structured collaboration between the sectors in the country’s history. Formalised this week in Canberra, the Investment Dialogue’s collective aim is to improve the wellbeing of children, young people and their families by working with communities to reduce intergenerational disadvantage in Australia. The initiative is shaping up as an unprecedented, long-term, integrated and community-led approach to supporting children, families and communities to thrive.
Positive, but more to do on Double Giving: our response to Productivity Commission’s draft findings
Sam Rosevear, Executive Director Policy, Government Relations and Research
Fri, 1 Dec 2023
Philanthropy Australia thanks the Productivity Commission for the open and consultative approach it took in developing its draft report, ‘Future foundations for giving’. The report recommends some important reforms, including the expansion of Deductible Gift Recipient status to more charities and the establishment of an independent philanthropic foundation controlled by, and for the benefit of, First Nations communities. However, the final report will need to recommend a stronger suite of high-impact reforms if Australia is to achieve a step-change lift in our culture and practice of giving.
Photos from Philanthropy Meets Parliament summit
Fri, 3 Nov 2023
Leaders from across the philanthropic and government sectors gathered at Parliament House Canberra last week for the 2023 Philanthropy Meets Parliament Summit – a biennial Philanthropy Australia event. The program included speakers from across the spectrum of politics, think tanks, the Productivity Commission, agencies and more. The double giving agenda was front and centre on the day, which included the launch of a new report about superannuation bequests and a publication showcasing stories of giving. View the photo gallery below.
Grattan Institute: The philanthropy behind powerful systems change advocacy
Fri, 3 Nov 2023
At Philanthropy Australia’s Philanthropy Meets Parliament Summit in Canberra last week, Danielle Wood, outgoing Grattan Institute CEO, reviewed some of the outstanding outcomes the independent public policy think tank has achieved in one of our case studies illustrating effective collaboration with government.
What do politicians from across the board make of double giving?
Dee Rudebeck
Fri, 27 Oct 2023
The overwhelming feeling at this week’s Philanthropy Meets Parliament Summit in Canberra was that the Australian philanthropic sector stands at an unprecedented moment of opportunity. It comes after the Albanese government (when in opposition in 2022) adopted a policy to work to double giving by the community to charity by 2030. A positive and effective working relationship with parliament across the board is important to achieve this. So what reforms will parliamentarians from across the political spectrum support in relation to doubling giving?
