Grace Forrest wins prestigious US award for anti-slavery work
Fri, 9 Feb 2024
Human rights advocate Grace Forrest is the first Australian woman to win the prestigious Roosevelt Foundation Freedom from Fear Award 2024. She founded Walk Free, under the auspices of the Minderoo Foundation, which produces the Global Slavery Index, the world's most comprehensive dataset on modern slavery. Grace is the oldest daughter of Andrew and Nicola Forrest and joins the likes of high-profile global advocates who have been honoured with the award previously, including Malala Yousafzai, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Larma and former German chancellor Angela Merkel.
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How impact investment is making a difference in global health equity
Mark Sullivan AO, founder and managing director of Medicines Development for Global Health
Fri, 2 Feb 2024
Impact investing is playing a critical and growing role in the development of medicines to treat ‘neglected diseases’ affecting the world’s poorest and most underserved peoples. These medicines would not otherwise be developed by the pharmaceutical industry, which is primarily driven by financial returns. Here, Mark Sullivan AO, founder and managing director of Medicines Development for Global Health, an Australian biopharmaceutical not-for-profit, describes how this finance model is supporting the development of Moxidectin – a potential gamechanger for the WHO’s roadmap to ending river blindness by 2030.
English Family Foundation named Runner-Up in global Catalyst 2030 Awards
Fri, 15 Dec 2023
The English Family Foundation has been honoured for its work in supporting social entrepreneurs at a global event, the Catalyst 2030 Awards for Systemic Change 2023. The Foundation was awarded Runner Up in the category of Overall Best Donor last month at the gala event in London, hosted by Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, at his private residence, Spencer House.
Renting in Australia and the role of philanthropy
Erin Dolan, Program Manager, Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation
Fri, 15 Dec 2023
The state of the housing market has made finding safe, secure and affordable properties increasingly difficult for the near-third of Australians who rent their home. Housing insecurity can lead to homelessness and addressing this most fundamental of needs is the first step to good health, education, employment and an equitable society for all. Renting is not such a precarious option in other countries. What are the political and economic conditions that have led to Australia’s rental crisis and how can philanthropy do more to support renters and drive a systems-level shift? Erin Dolan, Program Manager at the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Chair of Philanthropy Australia’s Affordable Housing Funders Network, provides her view.
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.
