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

Addressing Homelessness Affinity Group (AHAG)

Purpose: The Addressing Homelessness Affinity Group's mission and structure are yet to be decided, pending its inaugural meeting in June 2009.
Group Locations: Melbourne, Sydney

Ageing Futures Affinity Group (AFAG)

Purpose: To inform philanthropic practice and foster collaboration amongst those members of Philanthropy Australia who have an interest in ageing and aged care related issues.
Group Locations: Melbourne

Arts Affinity Group (AAG)

Group Locations: National; alternating meetings between Sydney and Melbourne

Disability Affinity Group (DAG)

Purpose: To enhance the capacity of philanthropic bodies to assist people with disabilities by identifying, supporting and disseminating research and initiatives involving best practice relating to services for people with a disability inclusiveness research and initiatives.
Group Locations: Melbourne

Early Intervention Affinity Group (EIAG)

Purpose: To enhance the capacity of philanthropic bodies to assist children, young people and families by identifying, supporting and disseminating best practice early intervention research and initiatives.
Group Locations: Melbourne, Sydney

Indigenous Affinity Group (IAG)

Purpose: The Indigenous Affinity Group is a coalition of philanthropic funders who come together on a regular basis for the purpose of sharing information and ideas about being a philanthropic funder to Indigenous projects and communities. The group provides a vehicle for information exchange and co-learning between and by its members with the aim of ensuring effective philanthropic funding is directed to and for the benefit of Indigenous communities.
Group Locations: Melbourne, Sydney

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.