philanthropyOz Blog

Philanthropy Australia Conference 2010 a Success!

The Conference has been a great success! With over 500 registered delegates and fantastic thought leadership and big picture conversations, we thank all who participated and made the two days such a valuable event for the philanthropic sector.

Dr Susan Raymond’s Opening Dinner speech was one particular highlight; Susan’s energy, insight and articulation of the complexities in the road ahead for philanthropy were invaluable.

» Download Dr Susan Raymond’s Opening Dinner speech

We’ll be posting more follow-up documents to the Conference website over the next week, including speeches, recordings and reports. Stay tuned.

» Visit the Conference website for speaker bios and further info

Conference update 3

The atmosphere at the Conference is vibrant, with challenging speakers and a highly engaged audience.  While the sessions range from single issue/single speaker (and you can’t get better than Prof. Pat McGorry speaking about his philanthropy-funded work in mental health), to panel sessions across a range of timely issues - there is a coherence to the event, with several themes emerging: need for long term commitments to achieve generational change around social issues; the importance of foundations and donors allocating part of their grant portfolio to risk taking; the unparalled need  for foundations and philanthropists to work together and collaborate. Much food for thought.

Conference update 2

The impressive Plenary address by Professor Patrick McGorry offered an excellent example of Why Philanthropy? in its overview of funded mental health project results.  

Philanthropy Australia Conference 2010, Update 1

The Philanthropy Australia Conference is underway. Dr Susan Raymond’s speech, The Philanthropic Path Forward: Road Signs from the Other Side of the World, was an excellent success and has generated many enthusiastic conversations both last night and this morning. There will doubtlessly be many more fascinating insights and perspectives offered from the speakers throughout the day, hope you’re here with us!

ABS Not-for-profit Sector Draft Information Development Plan

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has the published a Draft Information Development Plan for the Not-for-Profit Sector. This publication outlines the ABS’ response to recommendation 5.1 of the 2010 Productivity Commission Report on the contribution of the non-profit sector to Australia’s economy and wellbeing.

The Productivity Commission made several recommendations to effect the collection and dissemination of data relevant to the non-profit sector, and also recommended that the ABS was best suited to draw up an information development plan that addressed statistical information needs for the non-profit sector, a measurement framework, the availability of statistical information, and avenues of future data development.

This Draft Information Development Plan is released to help guide discussion of the statistical needs and priorities for the sector and also to draw attention to the statistical potential of information held in government administrative systems.

Comments can be made on this publication, which should be addressed to Derick Cullen (d.cullen@abs.gov.au), Director, Macroeconomics Research Section Australian Bureau of Statistics.

» Download the Draft Information Development Plan for the Not-for-Profit Sector document here

Medicines for Malaria Venture makes IP freely available for neglected diseases research

New international Member MMV (Medicines for Malaria Venture) has become the first product development partnership (PDP) to contribute intellectual property to the Pool for Open Innovation Against Neglected Tropical Diseases.

The Pool was established in February 2009 by GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and has since been joined by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). It seeks to stimulate innovative and efficient drug discovery and development by providing public access to intellectual property (IP) and scientific know-how for neglected tropical disease research. The Pool is administered by BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH). The geographic focus of the pool will be the world’s Least Developed Countries as identified by the United Nations and includes much of western and central Africa as well as several countries in Southeast Asia.

Medicines for Malaria Venture, a not-for-profit public-private partnership, was established as a foundation in Switzerland in 1999. Its mission is to bring public, private and philanthropic sector partners together to fund and manage the discovery, development and delivery of new medicines for the treatment and prevention of malaria in disease-endemic countries.

As contributor to the Pool, MMV will make available its IP, technology and expertise in the research and development (R&D) of antimalarial drugs to researchers developing medicines for neglected diseases.

For more information see the press release on MMV’s website.

Gandel’s $7m donation to the arts

Melbourne property magnate John Gandel and his wife Pauline have donated $7 million to the National Gallery of Australia, to be used to buy artworks and to help fit out a new reception hall that will open next month as part of the gallery’s $107 million redevelopment.
NGA Council Chairman Rupert Myer said the gallery’s new function space had been named Gandel Hall in perpetuity in recognition of the gift from a couple who were among the gallery’s founding donors when it opened its doors in 1982.
Australian donors used to loathe being named for fear of appearing boastful but in recent years they have adopted the American attitude that, by being outed, they might foster greater philanthropy here.

» Read the Australian Financial Review article, 26 August 2010 (Link available for AFR subscribers only)

» This story has been added to our Major Donations page

New Events & Position Vacant

New Events

Lots of event updates this week, with an emphasis on social innovation and discussions around ageing:

•  Creative Innovation 2010 (8-10 September, Melbourne)
• 4th NARI Biennial Seminar on Active Ageing (10 September, Melbourne)
• Asialink Lecture: Australia’s Place in the World, with Dr Michael Wesley (14 September, Melbourne)
• Innovative Collaborations for Social Change (various dates; Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland)
• Ageing Futures Affinity Group Meeting (22 September, Melbourne, Members Only)
• Myer Breakfast Briefing: Wellington Women’s Mentoring Program (22 September, Melbourne)
• Think Innovation Summit (22 September, Melbourne)
• GEO Seminar: Engage for Results (26-27 October, Canada)
• The Global Summit II: Humanity Uniting for a Sustainable Future (7-10 November, USA)
• Public Sector Social Innovation, with Christian Baston (various dates; Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth)
• Australian Population Association 15th Biennial Conference (30 November - 3 December, Gold Coast)

Updated Events

• Australian National Community Foundations Forum 2010 (19-21 October, Melbourne)
• Arts Affinity Group Meeting (10 November, Melbourne, Members Only)
• Indigenous Affinity Group Meeting (17 November, Melbourne, Members Only)

» For further details visit the Events Calendar

New Position Vacant

Corporate & Community Partnerships Manager

The Big Issue is seeking an individual with the skills and energy to develop and manage relationships with corporate and community partners. The role will also include developing engagement strategies for three social enterprises, designed to assist homeless and marginalised people.

» Visit the Positions Vacant page for more information

Philanthropy Australia now Tweeting

Philanthropy Australia has a new Twitter account for our Members, colleagues and international counterparts to keep up to date with noteworthy philanthropic sector news and happenings at Philanthropy Australia.

You can follow us on Twitter here:
http://twitter.com/PhilanthropyAus

As another avenue of communication, we’re hoping this will be useful for those who are time-poor and prefer brief updates, and also satisfy those who like frequent updates as they happen; including the Philanthropy Australia conference proceedings.

We’re sure you’ve heard of Twitter, but if you’re not certain how it works take a look at the Twitter Basics guide here.

New Positions Vacant

National Co-ordinator

The Telstra Foundation is looking for a passionate, motivated and enthusiastic individual to join their team, coordinating the Telstra Foundation Community Development Fund. The role’s purpose is to assess and execute community grants in the areas of Indigenous Community Development, Cyber Safety and Social Innovation. Applications close 26 August.

Administration Officer 

An opportunity has become available for an experienced administration and donor support officer to join the committed team at Melbourne Community Foundation, managing donor database and support, marketing and events, as well as general finance and administration services. Applications close 23 August.

» For further details please go to the Positions Vacant page.