News and stories

Media Release

Philanthropy Australia welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission’s ‘Future Foundations for Giving’ report

Philanthropy Australia Thu, 18 Jul 2024

Philanthropy Australia has welcomed the release of the final report of the Productivity Commission’s ‘once in a generation’ philanthropy inquiry, Future Foundations for Giving, which was tabled in Parliament today.

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Blog

Australian Leadership Hub launches to answer ‘critical’ need for NFP sector

Louisa Graham, CEO, Australian Leadership Hub Fri, 8 Dec 2023

As pressure mounts on for-purpose organisations, effective leadership is more critical than ever, and the Australian Leadership Hub whose purpose is to develop leaders, is stepping up to deliver what the sector needs most. After 14 years as the Australian Scholarships Foundation, during which we provided 5,000 individuals with scholarships and professional development opportunities worth a staggering $17.2 million, we have now expanded our activities to offer leadership awards, education programs and events. We also build connections among educators, executives, funders and alumni, who partner with us to foster skills that are crucial for organisations dedicated to creating a better society.

Policy and advocacy update

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.

News and stories

The evolution of a sector – a concise history of philanthropy in Australia

Simon Lewis, Partner at GoodWolf Partners Fri, 24 Nov 2023

Philanthropy is on the cusp of a new era of public accountability as the expectations of our time change, and the probity and transparency conferred by the sector’s relatively new governing body, the Australian Charities and Non-For-Profits Commission (ACNC), start taking effect, says Simon Lewis, Partner at GoodWolf.

Media Release

Super reform can transform charitable giving in Australia

Tue, 24 Oct 2023

A new report has revealed super bequest reform has the potential to increase giving to charity by as much as $21.9 billion per year by 2060.The proposed reform would allow Australians to send some of their unspent superannuation funds directly to a nominated charity when they die and without the impost of a 17 per cent tax.

Policy and advocacy update

Historic reform for Community Foundations

Fri, 1 Apr 2022

The 2022 Budget provides for up to 28 community foundations affiliated with Community Foundations Australia to receive so called ‘Item 1’ Deductible Gift Recipients (DGR) status by way of specific listing.