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Best practice philanthropy honoured at Australian Philanthropy Awards 2021

Shining examples of innovative, strategic philanthropy have been celebrated at the seventh annual Australian Philanthropy Awards on 16 November, presented in a special online ceremony for the second consecutive year.

The Australian Philanthropy Awards recognise and celebrate extraordinary achievements in contemporary philanthropy and highlight partnerships between philanthropy and for-purpose organisations to honour those who are working to create lasting, positive change.  

Recipients from across the depth and breadth of the Australian philanthropic sector were recognised in nine Award categories: Leading Philanthropist, Better Philanthropy, Bolder Philanthropy, Best Grant Program, Community Philanthropy, Environmental Philanthropy, Indigenous Philanthropy, The Eve Mahlab AO Gender-wise Philanthropy, and International Philanthropy. 

From a program to address the chronic underrepresentation of women in Australian parliaments, to a rapid response COVID fund that helped mobilise local giving to help a community in need, to a multi-year funding and support program for investigative journalism related to the environment that gets under the surface of the big issues perpetuating climate change, the 2021 recipients represent best practice philanthropy in action.

Australian philanthropy’s highest honour, the Leading Philanthropist Award, was awarded to Tim Fairfax AC for his significant and enduring contributions to rural and regional Australia, as well as his passionate support and advocacy for organisations involved in education, arts and culture. 

Learn about the stories behind all the Award recipients below

Philanthropy Australia Award recipients: 

• Leading Philanthropist – Australian philanthropy’s highest honour awarded to an individual 
  Tim Fairfax AC
• Better Philanthropy Award
  Fay Fuller Foundation and Our Town
• Bolder Philanthropy Award
  Gandel Foundation and Smiling Mind
• Best Grant Program Award
  Rapid Advocacy Fund, jointly initiated by Australian Progress, Australian Communities Foundation and Australian Council of Social Service

Cause-related awards:  

• Community Philanthropy Award
  Inner North Community Foundation
• Environmental Philanthropy Award
  Limb Family Foundation and Guardian Australia
• Indigenous Philanthropy Award
  CAGES Foundation & Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation
• International Philanthropy Award
  Arup Australasia & Engineers Without Borders Australia
• The Eve Mahlab AO Gender-wise Philanthropy Award
  Trawalla Foundation, Women’s Leadership Institute Australia and the University of Melbourne (Pathways to Politics Program for Women)
   

If you have any questions or would like additional information about this year’s Australian Philanthropy Awards, please contact us at awards@philanthropy.org.au.