$16 million investment to grow Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA)
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
A philanthropic investment of $16.4 million will expand Australia’s foremost professional development program in the social sector and boost the capability of those leaders and organisations who are working to help tackle the country’s entrenched social and environmental challenges.
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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.
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.
Professor Thomas Homer-Dixon: How can we lead with ‘commanding hope’?
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
Globally renowned complex systems expert, Canadian Professor Thomas Homer-Dixon, kicked off the main event at the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 by unpacking the polycrisis. Speaking to Giving News beforehand, he said that leadership for our times involves helping people to be more comfortable with uncertainty and understand that it ‘creates possibilities for novel breakthroughs’.
Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 – In pictures!
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
What an incredible few days we had in Canberra! Browse through these moments that capture the passion of our speakers, the engagement of our audience, and the collaborative spirit that made our Leadership Summit truly special.
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.
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.
