‘Philanthropy is a portrait of readiness,’ says incoming Community Foundations Australia CEO Ian Bird
Dee Rudebeck
Fri, 10 Nov 2023
The expansion and strengthening of the place-based community foundations network is a key plank in Philanthropy Australia's double giving agenda. The network will be instrumental in developing a language and culture of giving at the local level never seen before in this country. As Ian Bird prepares to take on his new role, the internationally recognised for-purpose leader says change is coming – and it will be accessible to all.
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Vale Marc Besen AC
Fri, 10 Nov 2023
Marc Besen AC, the renowned philanthropist and co-founder of the Sussan clothing group, passed away this week aged 99. Tributes appeared across the media, remembering Mr Besen warmly. Forbes magazine said he was regarded as “retail royalty” and a legend of business, and to those who knew him best, “he was kind, funny, loyal and incredibly wise”.
Small Grants are vital to strengthen rural Australia
Jill Karena, Place Portfolio Lead, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Fri, 3 Nov 2023
For purpose organisations come in many shapes and sizes, and have varied needs according to their structures and location. This means that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution to grant making, writes Jill Karena, Place Portfolio Lead, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. In this thought piece, Jill explains how small grants can have a big impact, particularly on grassroots organisations, which may not be able to access traditional philanthropy.
Grattan Institute: The philanthropy behind powerful systems change advocacy
Fri, 3 Nov 2023
At Philanthropy Australia’s Philanthropy Meets Parliament Summit in Canberra last week, Danielle Wood, outgoing Grattan Institute CEO, reviewed some of the outstanding outcomes the independent public policy think tank has achieved in one of our case studies illustrating effective collaboration with government.
Philanthropy’s response to the terrorist attack by Hamas and violence in Israel and Gaza
Fri, 20 Oct 2023
Chuck Feeney: Philanthropic world mourns loss of an extraordinary giving hero
Fri, 13 Oct 2023
The American philanthropist who was called the ultimate example of Giving While Living, Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney, died this week aged 92. He dedicated his fortune, made from duty free shops, to universities and good causes, giving away $8 billion across five continents, mostly anonymously.
How Beyond Blue’s ‘Way Back’ program went national
Nick Place
Fri, 6 Oct 2023
The aftercare offered to someone following a suicide attempt was woefully lacking only 10 years ago. Beyond Blue, along with an entire ecosystem of philanthropic support, community members, government and primary health networks tackled the issue in 2014 and developed the Way Back program. Earlier this year, the successful scheme was handed over to federal and state governments to run, with more than $150 million in funding, called Universal Aftercare. Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, we look at how it all came together.
