Backing the Blue Pacific: why Australian philanthropy has a bigger role to play
By Amy Armstrong, Beth Sargent and Heather Wrathall
Thu, 19 Mar 2026
Australia’s closest neighbours are home to essential biodiversity hotpots and act as global leaders in conservation and climate advocacy. They also face some of the world’s most urgent climate and development challenges.Yet the Pacific receives only a small share of Australian – andglobal – philanthropic funding. Guest contributors Amy Armstrong, Beth Sargent and Heather Wrathall outline why 2026 presents timely opportunities for Australian donors to support Pacific-led solutions that protect communities, strengthen resilience and safeguard globally significant ecosystems.
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Blended finance model unlocks profitable climate investments
Thu, 19 Feb 2026
Transition Accelerator is an Australian organisation developing new funding approaches that partner philanthropy and private capital to back climate solutions. Giving News spoke with Izzy Jensen, Managing Partner, about its use of “blended finance” models to address some of Australia's most significant environmental challenges.
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.
COP31 outcome: What it means and why philanthropy’s support is vital
Fri, 12 Dec 2025
After dramatic final negotiations at COP30 in Belém, Türkiye will host COP31. Global negotiations will be led by Australia’s Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, and a major Pre-COP meeting will be held in the Pacific. While it’s not the outcome our sector had hoped for, there’s still a powerful opportunity for Australia and the Pacific to shape the global climate agenda.
Next-gen donors say environment is their top priority, AEGN report finds
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 3 Oct 2025
A report released by the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) reveals that 83% of next-generation donors who were surveyed identified the environment as their top priority to fund and expect that to increase to 93% by 2035. The findings could indicate a shift in the giving landscape as the intergenerational wealth transfer plays out.
Sector leaders react to dire forecasts in National Climate Risk Assessment
Fri, 19 Sep 2025
The federal government’s National Climate Risk Assessment published on 15 September has forecast a number of drastic outcomes for Australians from future climate scenarios. Sector leaders working in the nature regeneration and climate change space provide their reactions to the report and views on the Emissions Target due out this week.
Catch up on the Philanthropy Leadership Summit breakout sessions – Part 1
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
From First Nations leadership to community-led solutions and the rise of AI, among a plethora of other topics from our ‘Deeper dive into real life leadership’ breakout sessions – our facilitators share their reflections.
