“Philanthropy does not achieve change in and of itself.”
In June 2024, Maree Sidey became CEO of Philanthropy Australia. F&P’s Fiona Atkinson asks what philanthropy means for her, for fundraisers and for Australia. Maree Sidey thinks the word ‘philanthropist’ can feel out of reach. “I don’t think most Australians like it or relate to it, including many Philanthropy Australia members,” says the CEO of Philanthropy Australia. Maree prefers the term ‘generous Australians’. “It’s much more accessible,” she says.
SILA leadership program opens for applications in NSW and ACT
The influential professional development program aimed at for-purpose leaders is calling for CEOs from NSW and ACT to apply to undertake its comprehensive and fully funded program. The course is designed to boost leadership capabilities and drive greater impact for participants’ organisations and the sector.
White Box launches first-of-its-kind loan fund to fuel growth in social enterprises
White Box Enterprises has launched an innovative loan fund offering flexible, low-rate loans to help create social enterprises and more than 200 jobs for people facing barriers to employment. Backed by philanthropy and government, the aim is to provide social enterprises the ‘right capital at the right time’.
‘Passion over power’: Top 5 takeaways from the NEXUS Australia Summit
More than 200 members of the next gen philanthropic community, impact investors and young social innovators from across Australia and the world came together in Melbourne this week for the 2025 NEXUS Australia Summit under the banner Brave Voices, Bold Ideas. Saska Coote, Philanthropy Australia’s Marketing Lead, shares her top 5 takeaways from the inspiring event.
DGR tax reforms to bring ‘new era’ for community foundations
A ‘game changing’ new Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) category that will boost community giving has been celebrated by philanthropic, charity and community leaders. The result of 20 years of advocacy, the reforms were delivered by the Assistant Minister for Charities, the Hon Andrew Leigh MP, who was acknowledged for his leadership driving the changes.
Pay What It Takes launches new website as campaign moves to next level
The Pay What It Takes (PWIT) Coalition and the Charity Consortium led by passionate stakeholders from funder, intermediary and for-purpose communities have been leading the PWIT movement across Australia. At the recent Fundraising Institute of Australia Conference, the movement’s co-chairs Lisa Allan and Denise Cheng announced that the PWIT Coalition and the Charity Consortium are unifying under one umbrella to champion an effective, sustainable and impactful future for charities and their beneficiaries.
What should philanthropy do about the US freeze on aid?
Here we are. The entirety of USAID’s, the biggest bilateral aid donor on earth, programmes were suddenly frozen last week by US President Trump. The organisation’s website is now offline, and the Trump administration is moving to put the free-standing agency under the umbrella of the State Department. Elon Musk, who now holds a key position in Trump’s government, has called the USAID ‘criminal’ and said it’s ‘time for it to die’.