The Glue That Binds: AIDN’s insights from seven years of network building

The Australian International Development Network (AIDN) has launched its first Impact Report – The Glue That Binds: Insights from Seven Years of Strengthening Australian International Giving and Investing – providing a detailed look at the state of international philanthropy in Australia. 

Launched in Melbourne in August, the report reflects on AIDN’s work since its establishment in 2018 and explores the role intermediary and field-building organisations can play in growing both the quantity and quality of philanthropic support for international causes. 

Dr Hannah McNicol, AIDN’s Research and Communications Manager, explained the report used a contribution-based approach to impact measurement

“Measuring network building and behaviour change is complex. In the report, we’ve brought together activity data, survey responses, anecdotal evidence and a range of external research on Australian giving to understand AIDN’s impact.” 

Among its findings, 82 per cent of survey respondents said AIDN encourages more giving, while 93 per cent said it encourages better giving. The report also estimates that between $9.9 million and $14.5 million in international giving has been catalysed with AIDN’s support. 

The report highlights the growth of AIDN’s initiatives, including Philanthropod, The Beat, Insight Tours and Open Ground, and the role these activities have played in strengthening connections, learning and collaboration across the international development and philanthropy ecosystem. 

Broader trends and ongoing challenges

Alongside measuring AIDN’s impact, the report examines broader trends in Australian international philanthropy. While international giving remains a relatively small component of Australia’s philanthropic landscape, representing around 10 per cent of total philanthropic giving according to JBWere estimates, there are signs of growing interest among major donors. The number of AFR Top 50 philanthropists with an international component to their giving has increased from seven to eleven since 2018. 

The report also identifies ongoing challenges. International aid is considered one of the cause areas most vulnerable to declining donor participation, even as overall donation amounts among remaining donors increase. The report notes that Australian Government Official Development Assistance continues to represent a relatively small share of federal expenditure. 

AIDN Executive Director Julie Rosenberg said the report was an important milestone for the organisation. 

“Since forming in 2018, we’ve had the flexibility to test various activities…to achieve more and better Australian giving and investing to international causes. This impact report has been an important opportunity to reflect on and measure our progress against that goal.” 

For the broader philanthropy sector, the report offers useful insights into measuring the impact of field-building and network-strengthening work, and highlights opportunities to mobilise greater support for international development through philanthropy, impact investing, policy reform and new giving models. 

The report is available on the Resources page of the AIDN website here. 

AIDN will also host Open Ground alongside the Philanthropy Australia Conference next week, bringing together funders, practitioners and others interested in international development and philanthropy. You can register to attend here.