PA welcomes Laura Cochrane as Executive Director, Membership and Engagement
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
The Philanthropy Australia team is delighted to welcome Laura Cochrane as Executive Director, Membership and Engagement. Laura is an executive with 20 years’ experience across philanthropy, social investment, corporate affairs and journalism. She was most recently CEO and Managing Director of the Bennelong Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bangarra Family Office, where she led giving in Australia and the UK focused on creating education and employment pathways for people facing the biggest barriers to participation.
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Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025: ‘People have appreciated the honesty of the speakers’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
The feedback was clear and consistent. This year's Philanthropy Australia Canberra summit took a refreshing direction that felt inclusive, open and a rich exchange of ideas. The tone was set early ‘to push each other hard in conversations’ and a focus on sharing personal stories struck a chord. Delegates came away feeling galvanised and energised about the sector’s unique position to play an important role in addressing the polycrisis.
‘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.
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.
Thank you to our Leadership Summit Partners
Fri, 25 Jul 2025
The Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 is completely sold out and we’re pleased to be expecting 450 attendees for the Leadership Summit itself on Wednesday 6 August. We are particularly happy that we have a strong contingent of attendees representing First Nations organisations and small not-for-profits, thanks to our scholarships.
She Gives celebrates one year of ‘energy and boldness’ in women’s philanthropy
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 25 Jul 2025
The campaign to highlight and inspire women’s giving in Australia ‘has resonated with so many women across the country’, said founder Melissa Smith. As the movement marks its anniversary, there are signs that the landscape is shifting to better recognise the catalytic power of women.
Brave Foundation: how a PRF grant led to a partnership with another funder – via the Philanthropy Australia conference
Nick Place
Fri, 25 Jul 2025
Jill Roche, the CEO of the national not-for-profit, Brave Foundation, drew from a capacity-building grant from the Paul Ramsay Foundation to attend the Philanthropy Australia Conference in 2024. This led to a chance conversation that over time led to a multi-year funding partnership with another funder. Jill shares how events unfolded and says it shows how important it is to ensure diverse voices are ‘in the room’ at important sector events.
