Public edition #14 | 8 August 2025

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Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025: 'People have really appreciated the honesty of the speakers'

The feedback was clear and consistent. This year's Philanthropy Leadership Summit took a refreshing direction that felt inclusive, open and a rich exchange of ideas. The tone was set early ‘to push each other hard in conversations’ and a focus on sharing personal stories struck a chord. Delegates came away feeling galvanised and energised about the sector’s unique position to play an important role in addressing the polycrisis. 

Professor Thomas Homer-Dixon: How can we lead with 'commanding hope'?

Globally renowned complex systems expert, Canadian Professor Thomas Homer-Dixon, kicked off the main event at the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 by unpacking the polycrisis. Speaking to Giving News beforehand, he said that leadership for our times involves helping people to be more comfortable with uncertainty and understand that it ‘creates possibilities for novel breakthroughs’.

$16 million investment to grow Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA)

A philanthropic investment of $16.4 million will expand Australia’s foremost professional development program in the social sector and boost the capability of those leaders and organisations who are working to help tackle the country’s entrenched social and environmental challenges.

'Fund the glue': Julia Gillard sets a compelling tone at Leadership Summit dinner

The pre-event dinner at the National Press Club with the Hon. Julia Gillard AC was the perfect way to kick off the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025. She delivered a powerful opening address to frame the coming discussions on leadership for our times. The only woman to have held the Australian prime ministership, she spoke of the two roles that are now 'incredibly close to my heart' – Chair of the Wellcome Trust in London and Founder and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership.

Canberra charity roundtable looks to boost productivity, streamline reporting and boost innovation

A strong commitment to boosting productivity in the charity and not-for-profit sector, as well as improving government evaluation and reporting demands, dominated an industry roundtable in Canberra on Tuesday.

The roundtable was organised to allow Charities Minister Andrew Leigh and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek to spend time with more than 25 sector leaders, behind closed doors and with all ideas on the table.

PA welcomes Laura Cochrane as Executive Director, Membership and Engagement

The Philanthropy Australia team is delighted to welcome Laura Cochrane as Executive Director, Membership and Engagement. Laura is an executive with 20 years’ experience across philanthropy, social investment, corporate affairs and journalism. 

Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025: In pictures!

After an incredible few days in Canberra, we have put together a small selection of some of the event photos! Browse through these moments that capture the passion of our speakers, the engagement of our audience, and the collaborative spirit that made the Philanthropy Leadership Summit special.

Evolving your endowment: Driving change through impact investing

This guide is designed for charitable foundations who want to align their investable assets for impact. It is for foundations who want to evolve their main endowment investments to deliver positive social and environmental impacts alongside financial return to support the foundation’s charitable activities.

Philanthropod with Leonie Bell

In the latest episode of AIDN's Philanthropod, Anubha and Leonie discuss influences, shared humanity and legacy. They agree on the importance of building trust with partners and why meeting grantees face-to-face continues to be one of her most powerful due diligence tools. As Leonie celebrates a milestone birthday this year, she reflects on the fun way she is incorporating this into her giving, and how philanthropy is bringing her more joy than she ever imagined.

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Philanthropy Australia acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.