Five forces from US Philanthropy: QLD Funders Peer Network

The first Queensland Funders Peer Network gathering for 2026 offered deeply informed insight from Peter Johnstone, CEO of the Clem Jones Group and Foundation, and Chair of Philanthropy Australia’s Queensland Working Group for Conference 2026. Drawing on more than a decade of ambassadorial philanthropic engagement in the United States, most recently in late 2025, Peter shared a grounded view of the forces reshaping American philanthropy and what they may signal for Australia. 

1. A renewed commitment to place and community 

“Communities are not wasting oxygen on Washington anymore. They are choosing to act where their influence is real, backing the people, places and local institutions that hold their democracies together.”  

Peter highlighted a decisive shift as US funders respond to polarisation and federal gridlock by focusing back on their own communities. Resources are being channelled into food security, libraries, homelessness support and civic education at the local level. 

For Australian funders with a long tradition of place-based philanthropy, this trend reinforces the strength and relevance of locally grounded work as a foundation for social cohesion and democratic resilience. 

2. Major foundations choosing to sunset 

“A lot of US foundations are asking: are we here to grow the money or to use it? Many are now choosing catalytic impact over perpetuity.” 

One of the most striking shifts Peter observed is the decision by several large US foundations to wind down – some with corpus values between USD500 million and USD800 million – as a response to generational drift, changing family values or concerns about the origins of wealth. Many are choosing to make significant, legacy-aligned final gifts that honour donor intent. 

Others are choosing to deploy capital at scale rather than continue accumulating it. This shift raises timely questions for Australia about the purpose of philanthropic capital and the balance between building it and using it for public good. 

3. Re-grounding donor intent 

“There has been a real shift back to donor intent. Boards and staff are returning to the founders’ own words to stay grounded in the purpose they were entrusted with.” 

Peter outlined emerging governance practices in which prospective directors and staff must affirm donor intent before joining. This renewed clarity is reshaping governance and prompting wider reflection on how philanthropic legacies can be protected with care, coherence and integrity. 

4. AI as both opportunity and unknown 

“Everyone is experimenting with AI, but no one fully knows how it will shape donor intent or grantmaking. It is an area of curiosity, caution and rapid learning.” 

US philanthropic organisations are beginning to integrate AI into governance and operations including board processes, grant administration and decision making. Peter noted that the role of AI in upholding donor intent remains unclear because the sector is in a live phase of experimentation, and global dialogue on the implications of AI is expected to grow rapidly. 

5. Philanthropy is stepping forward to protect democracy 

“Philanthropy in the US is stepping up to defend democracy. It is funding civic education, protecting migrants and holding institutions to account at a scale I have never seen before.” 

Peter pointed to a significant rise in philanthropic investment aimed at protecting civic institutions, supporting migrants, strengthening the rule of law and rebuilding civic education. He highlighted Minnesota as a compelling example of substantial philanthropic mobilisation in support of vulnerable communities. 

This work is courageous and essential, although many leaders have felt increasing personal pressure in the current climate. Philanthropy is playing a visible and vital role in defending democratic norms and supporting community stability. 

Looking ahead to Conference 2026 

Peter closed by highlighting Anita Patel, Vice President of the Bush Foundation, who will speak at the 2026 Conference in Brisbane (7-11 September). Her leadership in First Nations partnerships across Minnesota and the Dakotas will offer insights that both challenge and strengthen Australian approaches to First Nations engagement.

The session left members with a strong sense of clarity and momentum. Even amid turbulence, philanthropy holds powerful tools including relationships, values, community knowledge and long-term stewardship to help communities thrive. 

The next QLD Funders Peer Network will be held the week beginning 15 June 2026. To find out more, email [email protected].