Presenting … Philanthropy Australia’s Annual Review 2024

Philanthropy Australia is delighted to share its 2024 Annual Review following our AGM earlier in May. It highlights some significant organisational achievements and shared sector milestones in a year of considerable global and domestic challenges.

Read Philanthropy Australia’s Annual Review on our website.

It is continually heartening to see philanthropy rise to these challenges by being responsive and adaptive – and prepared to shift practice to empower frontline delivery partners to do their best work when rising inequality and climate change events are impacting so many.

In support of the sector’s continuing growth and development, an absolute highlight of the year for the peak body was the record-breaking Philanthropy Australia Conference in Adelaide, themed Shifting Perspectives, Shifting Practice. The conference was sold out, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. This success demonstrates the national appetite for philanthropic connection and learning.

Another key achievement was the sold-out Australian Philanthropy Awards, recognising and celebrating extraordinary achievements in contemporary philanthropy. After receiving double the nominations from previous years, the nine award recipients were announced in April at the Art Gallery of NSW, showcasing the breadth and impact of Australian philanthropic leadership.

It was also a busy year for our policy advocacy work. The final report of the Productivity Commission’s ‘once in a generation’ philanthropy inquiry, Future Foundations for Giving, was released in July. Philanthropy Australia was actively involved with the inquiry and helped to influence many of its recommendations.

In December, a number of changes flowing from report’s recommendations were announced, and we also lodged a submission to inform the finalisation of the new DGR category for community foundations. This reform is a product of many years of advocacy by Philanthropy Australia, Community Foundations Australia, our members and partners, and makes it easier for community foundations to give and receive funds.

We completed the Reflect RAP in 2023. In 2024 we completed the 12 month Review of the Reflect RAP, shared best practice learnings with a group of sector leaders on an enriching study tour of the UK and, of course, we farewelled Jack Heath AM as head of the organisation and welcomed CEO Maree Sidey.

Collectively and together, we have boosted the philanthropic ecosystem and are delighted to share these achievements – there’s so much more to read in our Annual Review!