philanthropyOz Blog

BRW’s Rich 200

The May 29 - July 2, 2008 edition of the BRW marks the Rich 200 List’s 25th anniversary. This edition contains a number of pieces that concern philanthropy, including Pay-back time (p.97) - The new breed of super-wealthy philanthropist sets targets for specific projects and causes that empower the needy with business nous as well as cash. Gina Anderson, Philanthropy Australia’s CEO, was interviewed for and is quoted extensively in this piece.

The Federal Government to Fund National Corporate Responsibility Project

The Federal Government, through Treasury has commissioned St James Ethics Centre to undertake a three year project to expand responsible business practice nationally.

The funding was announced at the 9th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development in Parliament House, Canberra on Monday evening (May 19) at the 5th Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI) Awards dinner, by The Honourable Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in a national address on sustainability, climate change and Australia’s role in global solutions.

The purpose of the funding is to:

• To expand the number of Australian companies that are actively engaged in identifying and adopting more responsible business practices including SMEs.
• To consider options to improve, and where necessary refine, the tools that are available to promote responsible business practices across all levels of corporate management.

The announcement was followed by the presentation of the 5th Corporate Responsibility Index awards. One of Philanthropy Australia’s Leading Members, ANZ, won the awards’ Leadership category. In total 40 companies participated in the 5th Index (including 16 new companies).

For more information, go to www.corporate-responsibility.com.au.

Website Updates

Positions Vacant:
Account Manager - Donor Relations (Mission Australia, Sydney)
State Director - Community Services (Mission Australia, Adelaide)

Events:
Doing IT Better conference day - June 17 (Melbourne)

Philanthropy Australia in the Media:
How open source is losing the charity battle on ZDNet Australia quotes Philanthropy Australia’s Louise Arkles regarding our use of open source software.

Inquiry into a new regional development funding program

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is to conduct an inquiry into a new regional development funding program.

The inquiry is to report on the Australian National Audit Office’s Performance Audit of the Regional Partnerships Program and make recommendations on ways to invest funding in genuine regional economic development and community infrastructure with the aim of enhancing the sustainability and liveability of Australia’s regions.

The Committee’s report is to:

• Provide advice on future funding of regional programs in order to invest in genuine and accountable community infrastructure projects;
• Examine ways to minimize administrative costs and duplication for taxpayers;
• Examine the former government’s practices and grants outlined in the Australian National Audit Office report on Regional Partnerships with the aim of providing advice on future funding of regional programs; and
• Examine the former government’s practices and grants in the Regional Partnerships Program after the audit period of 2003-2006 with the aim of providing advice on future funding of regional programs.

Submissions will be received until 30 June 2008. To find out more, go to: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/itrdlg/regionaldevelopment/index.htm

PricewaterhouseCoopers Transparency Awards announced

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia announced the winner of the inaugural Australian PwC Transparency Awards at their presentation Evening on Thursday 17th April, 2008. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was announced the winner and Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) were the runner-up. Both organisations were recognised for their commitment to quality reporting of both financial and non financial performance to stakeholders.

Guest speaker at the Presentation Evening, Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Voluntary Sector and Social Inclusion, spoke on the new relationship between the Rudd Government and the not-for-profit sector discussing where transparency and improved governance can help to achieve shared goals.

Mr Rupert Myer, Chairman, The Myer Family Co Pty Ltd & Chairman of the National Gallery of Australia, delivered the findings of the Jury.

The Awards, launched in 2007, recognise and encourage ongoing improvement in the quality and transparency of reporting in the not-for-profit sector. For more information, including the transcript of Senator Stephen’s speech and the full report from the Jury, visit www.pwc.com/au/transparencyawards2007.

The Foundation for Young Australians and Education Foundation to form alliance

The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and Education Foundation (EF) announced today the formation of an alliance, which will bring together an impressive range of capabilities in the youth and education sectors. The FYA also announced the appointment of Adam Smith, one of Australia’s youngest and most successful philanthropic leaders, as CEO of the combined organisation effective immediately.

The FYA will bring its strengths in grantmaking, Indigenous programs, capacity building and scholarships together with EF’s proven track record in development and delivery of education programs, community engagement and research.

The combined organisation will have greater capability to advocate in ways that make a real and positive impact to the lives of young Australians. The increased focus on education is consistent with both organisations’ beliefs in enhancing opportunity through learning and skills development.

For more information, visit www.youngaustralians.org and www.educationfoundation.org.au.

New Events

New Events:

• “Our Children Our Future – Achieving Improved Primary and Secondary Education Outcomes for Indigenous Students” – Report Launch (Sydney - 28th May, Perth - 29th May, Melbourne - 3rd June)
• Not-for-profit Education Forum on Investment (Melbourne, 3rd June)

Fred Hollows Foundation wins Charity Award

The Fred Hollows Foundation has been named as ‘Best Practice non-government organisation’ at the Annual Australian Charities Awards, held in Melbourne on April 30.

The Annual Australian Charities Awards are presented by Givewell, a service set up to conduct research on charities and provide information for people who want to make informed choices about giving.

You can find out more about the Awards, including winners in other categories, here: http://www.givewell.com.au/Awards/CharityAwards.html

Is Philanthropy Relevant? Survey of Professional Advisers in Australia

Dr Kym Madden of The Australian Centre for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Studies at Queensland University of Technology is conducting a third survey of attitudes and behaviours of professional advisers (private bankers, financial planners/advisers, lawyers, CPAs) regarding raising the topic of philanthropy with their clients, and constraints from doing so.

Findings will be available free-of-charge from the CPNS website, and will provide the advisory sector with insights into the constraints limiting access to quality advice about philanthropy and the resources most desired by those expanding services in this area.

If you are a financial adviser or planner, private banker, accountant or lawyer then you are eligible to completely this survey. You can find it online here:
http://survey.bus.qut.edu.au/index.php?sid=99

The survey will be open until July 14, 2008.

Personal and Family Grantmaking Workshop

When: Tuesday 17th June, 10.00am – 5.00pm
Where: The Library, Abbotsford Convent, St Helliers St, Abbotsford (Melbourne)
Run by: Asia-Pacific Centre for Philanthropy and Social Investment, Swinburne University

Giving away money in a way that is effective - in that it makes a difference, and is satisfying to those whose money is being donated, is quite a challenge. Where it is an individual giving away his or her own money, or members of a family seeking to reach agreement on their collective giving, the rewards can be huge – but so can the frustrations.

In this workshop you will hear tales from, and discuss issues with, some of Australia’s leading philanthropists, and with some people who advise them. You will also learn from experts about vehicles and procedures which will simplify, and maximise the effectiveness of, your generosity. This workshop will be of particular interest to newcomers to philanthropy, as well as those who are now wishing to involve further generations of their family in their giving.

Philanthropy Australia Members are being offered a 20% discount on the fee for this workshop, so please note if you are a Member when registering with Swinburne.

Further Information: www.swinburne.edu.au/business/events/documents/2008_Grantmaking_Wshop1.pdf