Leading with hope
Liz Gillies, CEO, Menzies Leadership Foundation
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Liz Gillies, CEO of the Menzies Leadership Foundation, walked away from the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 feeling the urgency of the polycrisis but also buoyed by a 'wellspring of capability and imagination', and a belief that leadership can still shift our trajectory. Here, she offers her reflections and provides a strong call to action for the future.
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Read more: Philanthropy Australia’s recent submissions
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Philanthropy Australia recently made two submissions to the Australian Government, which we are now sharing with members in their final form.
The Canva mission: ‘We want our giving to grow as fast as the company is growing’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Tech company Canva’s unique approach to corporate giving is baked into its business model – to provide its visual communication platform free to educators and not-for-profits. That mission has just passed some remarkable milestones. More than 100 million teachers and students, and 870,000 NFPs in 190 countries now benefit, a gift valued at $1.5bn annually. On top of this, the Canva Foundation gave out $50m+ last year. Head of Social Impact, Robyn King, says there is much more to come.
How a leadership program creates catalytic connections across sectors
Katherine Ellis, CEO, Leadership Victoria
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Fellows of the Williamson Community Leadership Program commit to ‘always take the call’ from another Fellow. This creates a web of influence that spans business, government and civil society lasting decades. Katherine Ellis, CEO of Leadership Victoria, which runs the program, says that investment in leadership is an ‘impact accelerator’.
Catch up on the Philanthropy Leadership Summit breakout sessions – Part 1
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
From First Nations leadership to community-led solutions and the rise of AI, among a plethora of other topics from our ‘Deeper dive into real life leadership’ breakout sessions – our facilitators share their reflections.
Canberra charity roundtable looks to boost productivity, streamline reporting and boost innovation
Nick Place, Community Advocate
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
A strong commitment to boosting productivity in the charity and not-for-profit sector, as well as improving government evaluation and reporting demands, dominated an industry roundtable in Canberra Tuesday. The roundtable was organised to allow Charities Minister Andrew Leigh and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek to spend time with more than 25 sector leaders, behind closed doors and with all ideas on the table.
‘Fund the glue’: Julia Gillard sets a compelling tone at Leadership Summit dinner
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
The Pre-Summit Dinner at the National Press Club with the Hon. Julia Gillard AC was the perfect way to kick off the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025.She delivered a powerful opening address to frame the coming discussions on leadership for our times. The only woman to have held the Australian prime ministership, she spoke of the two roles that are now “incredibly close to my heart” – Chair of the Wellcome Trust in London and Founder and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership.
