Affinity Groups

One of the services offered to Full Members of Philanthropy Australia is the opportunity to participate in Affinity Groups. An affinity group is a coalition of funders who come together on a regular basis for the purpose of sharing information on a particular area of funding (for example, disability services, arts, children).

Philanthropy Australia offers support and information services to coalitions of funders that request assistance in the development and maintenance of their networks. One of Philanthropy Australia's key roles is to support and enhance cooperation among funders.

The affinity groups generally meet quarterly. There is usually a guest speaker and the opportunity to discuss professional issues, as well as time to meet with colleagues and discuss current projects. Generally members take it in turns to host meetings, chair, and present projects that they are funding for the information of other members in the group.

Existing Affinity Groups

List of existing Affinity Groups

• Ageing Futures Affinity Group (AFAG)
• Arts Affinity Group (AAG)
• Disability Affinity Group (DAG)
• Early Intervention Affinity Group (EIAG), Melbourne and Sydney
• Indigenous Affinity Group (IAG), Melbourne and Sydney

Affinity Groups in Sydney

In Sydney we currently operate two affinity groups. One is for members who contribute to the early intervention area and the other for those who are interested in funding Indigenous programs.

Affinity Groups in Melbourne

Four affinity groups currently operate in Melbourne, concerned with aged care, disability, Indigenous issues, and early intervention respectively.

Affinity Groups - national

There is also an arts affinity group that operates at a national level; they alternate their meetings between Sydney and Melbourne.

Philanthropy Australia Policy on Affinity Groups

If you are a Full Member you may download the Statement of Policy:

Philanthropy Australia Policy on Affinity Groups (PDF)

Discussion Lists

Philanthropy Australia maintains several email discussion lists exclusively for members of affinity groups. An email discussion list (listserv) is an Internet email tool which utilises a single email address to send a message to everyone subscribed to the listserv. It allows members with common interests to discuss pertinent matters. In this instance, there is a listserv for each affinity group.

Subscription to the affinity group listservs is limited to members of the group in question, thus each subscription must be manually approved. If you are a member of one or more of the affinity groups listed on this page and wish to subscribe, send a blank email to the email address listed for the group(s) you are involved in.

For information on how to use the listservs, see the Listserv FAQ.