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The Light and the Dark Sides of Philanthropy

Mar. 25, 2019

By Sarah Davies, CEO Philanthropy Australia Power and influence Philanthropy is a significant source of power in our community and is one of many forces which influences policies, priorities and debate. This influence involves money, and there are two aspects that frame it: the use of private wealth by individual,… Read more…

The Liffman Provocations: Creative or cop-out?

Feb. 20, 2019

In my last post, I explored - and acknowledged my own substantial agreement with - the case for effective altruism and suggested that it was not receiving the attention from the local philanthropic sector that it merits. But I also recognised that many would find the very detached and cerebral approach effective altruism requires somewhat challenging and would be more comfortable with an approach that allowed them greater scope to express, in their giving, their more direct experiences, attachments, and priorities. Read more…

Nov. 16, 2018: Improved Electoral Legislation Amendments Passed the Senate
Nov. 14, 2018: Government inquiry into the implications of removing refundable franking credits
Oct. 12, 2018: Diana Leat: Philanthropic Response to London terror attacks and Grenfell disaster
Aug. 29, 2018: New Social Sector Ministers
Aug. 20, 2018: Pick My Project - $30 Million in Victorian Government Grants
Jul. 26, 2018: Nation’s most effective givers recognised at 2018 Philanthropy Awards
Jul. 11, 2018: Sarah Davies: Mirror mirror…
May. 02, 2018: Charity sector moves to improve complaint handling
May. 01, 2018: Our new membership offering and the Better Giving Hub are live!
Mar. 12, 2018: New Funder Group for Women and Girls launches
Feb. 28, 2018: NAB Announces $1.6 Million In Funding For Sustainable Regional Grants
Feb. 20, 2018: Paving Pathways – A Review of the Impact Investment Ready Growth Grants
Feb. 14, 2018: Membership FAQs
Jan. 30, 2018: Calls to honour even more philanthropic and social sector leaders
Dec. 21, 2017: Launch of collaborative hub: Roots of Change
Dec. 18, 2017: Genevieve Timmons steps down from Portland House
Dec. 07, 2017: Statement Regarding the Appointment of the New ACNC Commissioner
Dec. 05, 2017: Launch of Philanthropy Champions
Nov. 20, 2017: Nationwide celebrations showcase impact of community and philanthropy partnerships
Oct. 31, 2017: The Funding Network announces new CEO
Oct. 31, 2017: Ross Trust CEO announced
Oct. 11, 2017: Iconic Australian Outdoor Education Development Organisation Announces New CEO
Sep. 13, 2017: Paul Ramsay Foundation bolsters leadership team
Aug. 24, 2017: Staff announcement
Aug. 23, 2017: Vale Diana Ramsay AO
Aug. 02, 2017: Collective giving groups attracting Australians to alternative fundraising
Jul. 28, 2017: Jeff Bezos is now the world’s richest person—and he could redefine philanthropy
Jul. 27, 2017: The gift of giving to help improve lives
Jul. 18, 2017: Giving Your Genius: A New Approach to Corporate Philanthropy
Jul. 14, 2017: Learning to Bridge a Generation Gap in Philanthropy
Jul. 10, 2017: Exciting new appointment - National Membership and Programs Manager
Jun. 27, 2017: Australian Bursary Fund - Social Enterprise World Forum
Jun. 19, 2017: Cultivating Legitimacy in Philanthropy
Jun. 13, 2017: John Gandel AO awarded AC
Jun. 11, 2017: Mutual Trust and the Myer Family Company to combine
May. 30, 2017: Nicole Richards joins the team
May. 22, 2017: Impact investing primed for growth in Australia & NZ - new Impact Investment Forum
May. 16, 2017: Good News for Impact Investing in 2017 Budget
Apr. 28, 2017: Scam warning on Government grants
Apr. 26, 2017: How young rich-lister Sam Prince built the Zambrero fast-food empire
Apr. 24, 2017: Why more and more companies are doing social good
Apr. 06, 2017: Leading Australian philanthropists honoured at industry awards
Apr. 03, 2017: Bill and Melinda’s Annual Letter
Mar. 06, 2017: Our new Finance and Operations Manager
Mar. 02, 2017: The Harwood Public Innovators Labs In Australia
Feb. 28, 2017: Vale Betty Amsden AO
Feb. 21, 2017: New grants to help not-for-profits and businesses explore and attract impact investment
Feb. 14, 2017: Why I am a young philanthropist
Feb. 13, 2017: “There’s no point being the richest man in the cemetery”: Geoff Harris
Feb. 06, 2017: $26.4 million gift from the the Jack Ma Foundation
Feb. 01, 2017: Philanthropy as first mover, the power of good people and Philanthropy Australia’s transition
Jan. 23, 2017: The Five Habits Of Effective Philanthropists
Jan. 19, 2017: Working for the ‘Evolution’ of Australian Philanthropy
Jan. 18, 2017: Global coalition to outpace epidemics
Jan. 16, 2017: Top Philanthropic Gifts of 2016
Dec. 14, 2016: Trump, Bond Yields, and higher interest rates and inflation - what does it all mean?
Dec. 13, 2016: Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and other investors are launching a $1 billion green energy fund
Dec. 05, 2016: Celebrations showcasing the power of community-philanthropy partnerships kick off nation-wide
Dec. 04, 2016: Queen Rania of Jordan on religion and the role of women in the Middle East
Dec. 01, 2016: Facebook’s Sandberg puts $100 million of stock towards philanthropy
Nov. 18, 2016: Winners - Workplace Giving Excellence Awards
Oct. 31, 2016: Workplace Giving Excellence Awards - Finalists
Oct. 28, 2016: Google.org’s Jacquelline Fuller on how Google does good
Oct. 24, 2016: Tasmania’s Pennicott Foundation is helping the world one project at a time
Oct. 17, 2016: Premier’s Award for Community Harmony
Oct. 05, 2016: Nobel Prizes don’t come cheap: Laureate calls for greater research philanthropy
Sep. 27, 2016: Adara Group expands assistance through philanthropy of business
Sep. 16, 2016: How Your Investment Can Make Positive Change
Aug. 29, 2016: Vale Peter Hero
Aug. 16, 2016: Forums – Giving and Volunteering in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Indigenous Comm
Aug. 09, 2016: There are more billionaires than ever before - and they’re worth a total of $7.7 trillion
Aug. 05, 2016: Grant Application Myths – and How to Get Round Them
Jul. 26, 2016: Giving to charity—How much is generous?
Jul. 24, 2016: Impact Investment Group targets $1b investment in solar power
Jul. 22, 2016: Victoria’s first social impact bond to address drug and alcohol services
Jul. 18, 2016: David Thomas sets new record on environmental philanthropy
Jul. 18, 2016: Luke Batty Foundation appoints Rosie Batty CEO
Jul. 14, 2016: Graham and Louise Tuckwell donate another $100m for ANU students
Jul. 12, 2016: Australia’s largest personal philanthropic contribution to a university
Jun. 24, 2016: Mail-order wine pioneer becomes Australia’s biggest environment donor
Jun. 22, 2016: How giving clubs are changing the face of philanthropy
May. 30, 2016: Proposed new scheme calls for investors in social good in Victoria
May. 27, 2016: Partnership to unlock innovative investment in NFPs
May. 24, 2016: Charity crunch looms as sector wastes millions, says JBWere CEO Justin Greiner
May. 23, 2016: Varied pathways to shared giving goal
May. 09, 2016: $1 million donation to new SAM build
Apr. 29, 2016: Collaboration within Australian communities on show
Apr. 29, 2016: Why millionaire Barry Lambert invested $34 million in medicinal cannabis
Apr. 20, 2016: Philanthropy Australia Announces 2016 Philanthropy Award Winners
Apr. 20, 2016: Philanthropist Gemma Salteri: Let’s be open about giving
Apr. 11, 2016: SAHMRI stays on course with Steve Wesselingh reappointed as executive director
Apr. 07, 2016: Silver Chef spreads its cause
Apr. 06, 2016: American philanthropists award millions of dollars to Australia
Apr. 04, 2016: Australians need more open approach to philanthropy
Mar. 20, 2016: Jack Bendat: Why he gives his wealth away
Mar. 11, 2016: The new realities of philanthropy
Mar. 04, 2016: Charities Commission will continue – a welcome announcement for all Australians
Feb. 29, 2016: NAB and Philanthropy Australia partner to unlock innovative investment in NFPs
Feb. 21, 2016: Which Australians are donating millions for good?
Feb. 16, 2016: Susan Alberti AC – A life of giving
Feb. 14, 2016: Five cent coin doomed after 50 years of decimal currency
Feb. 13, 2016: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute: Marie Bashir, Ros Packer, Quentin Bryce, Jeanne Pratt and othe
Feb. 09, 2016: Five ways to become a really effective altruist
Feb. 06, 2016: Canberra’s Glenn Keys on charity and the launch of a new social housing project in the ACT
Feb. 01, 2016: Gold Coast hospital buy lifts Impact group’s assets to $400 million
Jan. 28, 2016: Charity sector grows but competes for dwindling donations
Jan. 28, 2016: BHP Billiton donates $5.7 million to Broken Hill, its birthplace
Jan. 27, 2016: Australia Day 2016 Honours List
Jan. 25, 2016: The growing social enterprise sector
Jan. 21, 2016: Microsoft’s $1 billion cloud giveaway
Jan. 14, 2016: First impact investment in affordable housing
Jan. 12, 2016: Thousands at risk of losing charity status
Dec. 22, 2015: Melbourne Arts Centre to host Christmas Day poor initiative
Dec. 14, 2015: Giving back: how to make charity a regular part of life
Dec. 10, 2015: After the Paris Climate Summit, time for philanthropy to step things up
Dec. 06, 2015: The problem with celebrity charities
Dec. 04, 2015: Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission report provides insight into $100 billion sector
Dec. 02, 2015: Mark Zuckerberg pledges 99 per cent of wealth to charity
Nov. 29, 2015: How generous are Australians really?
Nov. 27, 2015: Can philanthropy be taught in a classroom?
Nov. 23, 2015: Paul Little makes a $10 million donation to Melbourne University
Nov. 17, 2015: The power of giving and the impacts of philanthropy
Nov. 14, 2015: Abrahams funds dental research
Nov. 08, 2015: Philanthropist Peter Hunt says ‘successful people should share their luck’
Oct. 28, 2015: The 20 people who have given away the most money to charity
Oct. 26, 2015: Giving it Everything He’s Got
Oct. 22, 2015: Impact Investment Guide for Trusts & Foundations
Oct. 21, 2015: Turnbull Govt Takes Positive Stand on Impact Investment
Oct. 19, 2015: Indigenous culture relies on knowledge sharing. We need new leaders to reflect that
Oct. 13, 2015: Call me Steve: the extraordinary life of Stephanie Shirley
Oct. 12, 2015: Quality control is crucial when ‘impact investing’
Oct. 08, 2015: Government Funds Philanthropic Partnerships
Oct. 05, 2015: Philanthropist Naomi Milgrom’s latest gift to Melbourne – MPavilion
Oct. 01, 2015: Helping build financial AND social capital: A private banker’s perspective
Oct. 01, 2015: Sarah Davies takes the reins at Philanthropy Australia
Sep. 27, 2015: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft’s Bill Gates make bid for universal internet access
Sep. 24, 2015: Where have all the volunteers gone?
Sep. 22, 2015: Prime Minister promotes philanthropy
Sep. 17, 2015: How startups can improve the world 1% at a time
Sep. 10, 2015: Wealth creation supports a new sustainable philanthropy model
Sep. 09, 2015: Government invests $1.7 million to research philanthropic support
Sep. 09, 2015: Coalition set to abandon plans to scrap charities regulator
Sep. 07, 2015: Advisers key to increasing charitable giving
Sep. 05, 2015: Philanthropists combine to improve performance
Sep. 01, 2015: Australian first: Philanthropy & Government together in one-day Summit
Aug. 28, 2015: Don’t just give to charity, brag about it
Aug. 27, 2015: Philanthropists becoming immune to ‘tall poppy syndrome’
Aug. 25, 2015: The Ian Potter Foundation appoints Prof Brian Schmidt AC to Board of Governors
Aug. 25, 2015: Prerequisites for cross-sector working
Aug. 22, 2015: Australians have hit a wall when it comes to giving to charity
Aug. 19, 2015: In wealthy Australia, philanthropy is the biggest loser
Aug. 18, 2015: Fortescue’s Andrew Forrest: I stand by my record
Aug. 14, 2015: The business of giving
Aug. 10, 2015: Changes to arts funding prompts calls for philanthropists to step in
Aug. 06, 2015: Bringing philanthropy and government together
Aug. 04, 2015: Museum Victoria receives $1 million donation to redevelop Children’s Gallery
Aug. 01, 2015: STEM education gets million-dollar boost from Google Australia
Jul. 31, 2015: The motivations behind donations
Jul. 31, 2015: Gina Rinehart’s gifts to charity may kickstart habit in others
Jul. 30, 2015: Changes at FRR
Jul. 30, 2015: Philanthropy peak supports work of ‘Twiggy’ Forrest
Jul. 27, 2015: Giving in to beggars helps nobody
Jul. 24, 2015: Impact investing could help plug $2.5 trillion funding gap for development
Jul. 23, 2015: KidsGive gives kids the opportunity to raise money for charity
Jul. 18, 2015: Leonardo DiCaprio’s giving just got way more interesting
Jul. 14, 2015: Graham Tuckwell urges Australia’s rich to give back
Jul. 13, 2015: Here’s what Kofi Annan thinks about the modern philanthropist
Jul. 09, 2015: Strategic fundraising skills to boost Australian Women Donors Network Board
Jul. 07, 2015: Alastair Lucas of Goldman Sachs Australia has died
Jul. 03, 2015: In the giant footsteps of her father, Myer’s daughter worked quietly for a better world
Jul. 02, 2015: Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal promises $41 billion fortune to charity
Jul. 01, 2015: Matched Giving & Collective Impact: A Smarter Way to Give
Jun. 26, 2015: Scott Morrison calls on private sector to invest more in welfare
Jun. 23, 2015: Charitable giving tips and traps
Jun. 22, 2015: FRRR Forum Scholarships
Jun. 16, 2015: Aussie philanthropists struggling with red tape
Jun. 16, 2015: Make your last wishes everlasting
Jun. 11, 2015: Showcasing Community and Philanthropy Partnerships
Jun. 10, 2015: The Art of Giving: TFN and Vivid Ideas
Jun. 08, 2015: NFP leaders honoured in 2015 Queen’s Birthday list
Jun. 06, 2015: How business & philanthropy are alike - and how they are completely different
Jun. 05, 2015: Donations can benefit the charities and you
Jun. 02, 2015: Good Pitch Film Stirs Gay Marriage Debate
May. 29, 2015: Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week launches
May. 28, 2015: Measures to boost philanthropy in Australia
May. 28, 2015: For the little ones, it’s surely a matter of Trust
May. 27, 2015: David Gonski, the Centre For Social Impact and the art of giving back
May. 20, 2015: Expert Advice Exchange
May. 19, 2015: Atlassian boss flags charity drive
May. 14, 2015: Pledge 1 per cent and make a difference
May. 12, 2015: When is a charity not a charity?
May. 11, 2015: It was Bill Gates’ mother who pushed him into philanthropy after he became a billionaire
May. 05, 2015: Key philanthropists call for cut in red tape on giving
May. 01, 2015: Staff not CEO driving corporate giving
May. 01, 2015: Young rich-listers aim for philanthropic goals
Apr. 30, 2015: ACT most charitable state
Apr. 24, 2015: Mike Bloomberg is dropping $42 million on 100 US cities
Apr. 20, 2015: MFCo chief Peter Winneke’s push to get rich to talk about giving works
Apr. 17, 2015: Sculpture as empire
Apr. 16, 2015: State Library of Victoria given $5 million in rare books
Apr. 16, 2015: iiNet chairman Michael Smith new Patron for Variety WA
Apr. 11, 2015: Philanthropist Audette Exel makes money to make change
Apr. 09, 2015: The social bonds that strengthen family businesses
Apr. 08, 2015: Charities complain of funding difficulties
Apr. 08, 2015: Why are charities suffering a cash-flow crisis?
Apr. 07, 2015: Give eco-charities a check
Apr. 07, 2015: Churchill Fellowship to study private philanthropists funding environmental work
Apr. 04, 2015: Rich philanthropists halted at border by tax system
Apr. 01, 2015: Philanthropy Australia appoints new CEO
Mar. 31, 2015: Four SA charities in the race for Impact100 SA’s $100,000
Mar. 30, 2015: Philanthropist Neil Balnaves looks for ‘out of the box’ ideas
Mar. 26, 2015: Melbourne V Sydney - the capital of charity and philanthropy
Mar. 26, 2015: Benchmarking Operational Resources of Trusts & Foundations
Mar. 18, 2015: Economist’s $8 million parting gift to gallery
Mar. 11, 2015: Behind a $1 million gift to a NYC public school by a 31-year-old
Mar. 09, 2015: Schools Plus makes tax deductible donations available to public schools
Mar. 04, 2015: Telematics Trust open grant round for innovative projects
Mar. 03, 2015: New research survey aims to capture non-profit sector key challenges & shape future support programs
Feb. 28, 2015: 8 things Steve Waugh learned from cricket and now applies to his philanthropy
Feb. 21, 2015: States, industry bodies pushed to fund greyhound sanctuary
Feb. 19, 2015: This new company chairman just donated his entire salary to charity
Feb. 16, 2015: Bill Gates fund donates $18 million to fight tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea
Feb. 13, 2015: David Gonski, master mentor to senior corporate women
Feb. 06, 2015: The Queen Mother of Bhutan talks happiness and peace
Feb. 05, 2015: Australian first impact investment policy
Feb. 02, 2015: Non-Profit Fellowship Program
Jan. 30, 2015: Congress inspires greatness
Jan. 27, 2015: Australia Day 2015 Honours List
Jan. 23, 2015: Advancing the appreciation of Australian literature through new Chair
Jan. 17, 2015: University of NSW receives $10m to research affordable housing for displaced people
Jan. 15, 2015: Top philanthropic gifts of 2014
Jan. 09, 2015: Benefit Capital launches the Impact Investment Centre
Dec. 30, 2014: Borrowers seeking help despite low rates
Dec. 23, 2014: Julia Steele Scott: We need to inspire more Australians to give
Dec. 09, 2014: ACF and AEGN announce partnership
Dec. 08, 2014: Thank you and happy holidays
Dec. 08, 2014: The heart of giving
Dec. 07, 2014: Boost impact investing, says Financial System Inquiry
Dec. 04, 2014: $26M art donation for new contemporary Australian art museum at the University of Melbourne
Nov. 26, 2014: A working-class philanthropist to the stars
Nov. 25, 2014: Early Wins for the PM’s Community Business Partnership
Nov. 24, 2014: $6.01 million Darling Point deal a final act of generosity
Nov. 18, 2014: Hunt for New Philanthropy Australia CEO
Nov. 15, 2014: Paul Ramsay shared his billions with charity, family, friends and a loyal Sydney man
Nov. 11, 2014: Aussies giving more than ever to charity
Nov. 05, 2014: Charity begins at home - and the office
Oct. 31, 2014: Forrest, Packer lead the way in opening wallets to education, arts
Oct. 30, 2014: Socially responsible investing demands rigour
Oct. 21, 2014: Millennials Pushing for Social Change
Oct. 21, 2014: Aussie philanthropists go on tour
Oct. 20, 2014: Community Business Partnership a chance to take giving to the next level
Oct. 14, 2014: $2m windfall for documentaries
Oct. 14, 2014: New program launched to upskill rural community leaders
Oct. 10, 2014: Impact100Melbourne invites you!
Oct. 09, 2014: Why young entrepreneurs are embracing philanthropy
Oct. 09, 2014: Google announces 10 finalists for its Impact Challenge
Oct. 07, 2014: Crowdfunding may attract GST
Oct. 03, 2014: ABC goes Mental As
Oct. 02, 2014: Optus Community Grants
Oct. 01, 2014: The next generation of philanthropists maximise impact for the greater good
Sep. 29, 2014: Wealthy urged to give more (video)
Sep. 29, 2014: Qld discovers creative side with business-backed arts future fund
Sep. 26, 2014: Cultural power: the list
Sep. 25, 2014: No ifs or buts: all children must attend school
Sep. 21, 2014: Breaking the ice with medical fund-raising
Sep. 20, 2014: Good Pitch gives documentaries such as Bully life beyond the cinema
Sep. 19, 2014: Talking Philanthropy with Millennials
Sep. 18, 2014: Women in philanthropy urged to invest more in women and girls
Sep. 17, 2014: Charities in Australia under threat?
Sep. 03, 2014: Inaugural Philanthropy Leader Awards winners announced
Sep. 02, 2014: Andrew Forrest’s advice to givers: ‘get involved’
Aug. 31, 2014: Philanthropy: Are we giving enough?
Aug. 12, 2014: Australia’s Biggest Gathering of Philanthropists
Aug. 11, 2014: Sitting on a great idea? How about nine months and $100,000 to make it hatch?
Aug. 04, 2014: State Trustees Australia Foundation Grassroots Granting Program
Jul. 10, 2014: Sidney Myer Fund Capacity Building Grants
Jul. 01, 2014: Newsboys Foundation Leadership Awards
Jun. 20, 2014: Philanthropy Australia announces new President - Alan Schwartz AM
May. 30, 2014: 2nd 10x10 event raises over $10,000
May. 22, 2014: What can Australia learn from the recent UK experience with poverty and inequality?
May. 14, 2014: Philanthropy Peak welcomes funding for Community Business Partnership
Apr. 23, 2014: New Generation of Giving: Our first year in review
Jan. 18, 2014: Devoted to improving life for the disabled
Jan. 04, 2014: Surge in charities prompts warning over donations
Dec. 21, 2013: Charities’ fund-raising costs swallow millions in donations
Dec. 13, 2013: Dollar for dollar, arts funding is all sewn up
Dec. 09, 2013: Sydney Opera House launches Own Our House campaign
Nov. 28, 2013: Ex-eBay president and activist Jeff Skoll on making movies with a message (Guardian)
Nov. 04, 2013: Donors bring influence as well as money (AFR)
Oct. 24, 2013: Kaldors hope new centre will change refugee conversation (SMH)
Oct. 15, 2013: Australia’s top philanthropic gifts (SMH)
Oct. 14, 2013: Wyatt Trust named one of Australia’s top 10 charitable gifts (Adelaide Now)
Oct. 14, 2013: Myer Family hopes Top 50 list inspires the next generation (AFR)
Oct. 02, 2013: Getting Employees More Active in Corporate Volunteering (Pro Bono Australia)

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The Light and the Dark Sides of Philanthropy

The Liffman Provocations: Creative or cop-out?

Our Australia Day Honours List 2019

Philanthropy Australia secures positive outcome enabling the charitable sectors right to advocate

Philanthropy Australia Welcomes New Electoral Laws

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