Philanthropy Australia

Philanthropy Australia
Name	Philanthropy Australia
Formation	1974
Type	Non-profit membership association
Headquarters	Sydney, New South Wales
Region served	Australia
Leader title	CEO
Leader name	Katherine Ellis

Philanthropy Australia

Philanthropy Australia is an Australian peak body for grantmakers, private foundations, trusts, and individual philanthropists, acting as a membership organisation and sector intermediary. It links major charitable actors such as Myer Foundation, Ian Potter Foundation, Gandel Foundation, Beswick Family Foundation, and Sidney Myer-related entities with public institutions including Australian National University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of Sydney, and cultural bodies like the National Gallery of Australia and the National Library of Australia. The organisation engages with policy stakeholders including the Treasury of Australia, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and state bodies in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory.

History

Founded in 1974, the organisation emerged during a period of institutional consolidation alongside entities such as the Australian Council for International Development and the Philanthropy Impact movement in the United Kingdom. Early patrons and partners included philanthropic families linked to the Myer and Menzies legacies, as well as corporate foundations from groups like BHP, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and ANZ. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s it expanded its network amid public policy shifts led by prime ministers such as Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke and tax reforms associated with treasuries under Paul Keating. In the 2000s the organisation interacted with national inquiries and reports produced by bodies including the Productivity Commission, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and commissions influenced by leaders such as Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. Its evolution parallels international trends exemplified by organisations like Ford Foundation, Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, and Rockefeller Foundation.

Mission and Activities

The organisation positions itself to strengthen philanthropy through convening, capacity building, research, and advocacy, working with philanthropic actors such as the Macquarie Group Foundation, Gandel Philanthropy, Perpetual Foundation, Norton Foundation, ANZ Trusts, and community trusts including those connected to Rotary International, Lions Clubs International, and The Smith Family. It produces research and guidance referencing standards and frameworks promoted by Giving USA, CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), European Foundation Centre, and academic partners like Griffith University, University of Queensland, and RMIT University. The organisation also liaises with philanthropy intermediaries including Social Ventures Australia, Impact Investing Australia, Good2Give, and Benevity.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises private foundations, corporate giving programs, family offices, community trusts, and high net worth individuals, with representatives from institutions such as Perpetual Limited, Macquarie Group, Commonwealth Bank Foundation, Westpac Foundation, and university foundations at Australian National University and University of Melbourne. Governance structures reflect best practice drawn from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission guidance and corporate governance norms seen at ASX Limited. Boards have included leaders with backgrounds at organisations like KPMG Australia, PwC Australia, Deloitte Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ, and cultural institutions including the Sydney Opera House and the Australian Museum.

Programs and Initiatives

Programs span capacity building, research, grantmaker training, and sector convening. Initiative partners have included Social Ventures Australia, Impact Investing Australia, Philanthropy Australia’s Centre for Philanthropy (citation omitted), and international partners such as Asian Venture Philanthropy Network, European Foundation Centre, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It runs signature events and fellowships engaging leaders from McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, KPMG, and philanthropic advisors from Perpetual and Equity Trustees. The organisation has also hosted roundtables with indigenous leaders linked to Lowitja Institute, National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and academics from Charles Darwin University.

Advocacy and Public Policy

Advocacy work targets tax, regulatory, and enabling environments affecting charitable giving, engaging with policymakers including the Treasury of Australia, Parliament of Australia, and the Australian Taxation Office. It contributes to discussions concerning deductibility rules, transparency standards under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and impact measurement dialogues referencing international frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and OECD guidelines. The organisation has submitted evidence and appeared in consultations alongside stakeholders like Aged Care Royal Commission panels, the Productivity Commission, and sector coalitions including Australian Council for International Development and Not-for-Profit Australia.

Funding and Financials

Funding is derived from membership fees, sponsorship from corporate and philanthropic partners such as Perpetual, Macquarie Group, BHP Billiton Foundation, and event revenue. Financial stewardship follows not-for-profit reporting norms aligned with filings made to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and tax reporting overseen by the Australian Taxation Office. The organisation has collaborated on pooled funding and donor-advised funds with intermediaries including Impact Investing Australia, Social Ventures Australia, Perpetual, and Equity Trustees.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters credit the organisation with professionalising philanthropy in Australia, improving practices among foundations and family offices tied to entities such as Myer Family Investments and Beswick Family Foundation, and strengthening sector networks including Social Ventures Australia and Good2Give. Critics and commentators from media outlets like The Australian Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald, and research centres including Grattan Institute and The Australia Institute have questioned transparency, influence in public policy, and the allocation of tax-advantaged giving relative to public needs flagged by inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Debates mirror international critiques directed at foundations such as Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation regarding accountability, power, and impact measurement.

Category:Non-profit organisations based in Australia Category:Foundations in Australia