Collective giving is reshaping philanthropy for the better. The task now is to propel it forward

For a long time in Australia, philanthropy has been defined by who can afford to give, rather than who wants to take part. 

That is starting to change. 

Across the country, more people are coming together to pool their money, share decisions and support the causes they care about. In doing so, they are reshaping who participates in philanthropy, and how it happens. 

Collective giving is one of the most important and under-recognised shifts in Australian philanthropy today. It is changing how decisions are made, how trust is built, and how people connect with the causes they care about. 

Until now, however, we have lacked a clear picture of its scale and impact. 

That is why Philanthropy Australia has released Giving Together: The Power and Potential of Collective Giving in Australia, the first national research of its kind. 

What the research shows is striking. Collective giving is no longer small or emerging. It has already directed more than $73 million into communities across Australia and continues to grow. 

But the most important finding goes beyond the dollars. People who take part in collective giving give about six times more than the average Australian. They feel more connected to their communities and more engaged in the causes they support. Many also go on to give more and volunteer more over time. 

In other words, collective giving does not just fund projects. It builds people power. 

At a time when cost of living pressures are rising and financial uncertainty is shaping how people think about giving, this matters. Collective giving shows that generosity does not disappear when times are tough. It adapts and creates a different kind of giving, one built on participation, connection and shared purpose. 

This also matters for philanthropy, which depends on trust and legitimacy. Collective giving strengthens both by bringing more people into the decisions that shape how money flows to communities. 

But this is also a moment of risk. 

Growth in collective giving has been strong, but largely organic. Many groups are volunteer-led and operate with limited support. While this speaks to extraordinary commitment, it also creates fragility. 

Without investment in coordination and capacity, there is a risk that collective giving will plateau just as interest and participation are accelerating. This is not a question of demand. It is a question of support. 

The next phase of this movement will depend on whether we invest in the systems and connections that help it grow. That means better linking groups, sharing what works, raising awareness, and investing in the people and infrastructure behind collective giving. 

Giving Together does not prescribe a single path forward, but it does provide something essential: evidence. 

Collective giving is already reshaping how Australians participate in philanthropy. With the right support, it can help ensure more people are able to take part, more communities are connected, and generosity continues to grow, even in challenging times. 

Read the report here: Giving Together: The Power and Potential of Collective Giving in Australia – Philanthropy Australia