philanthropyOz Blog

The Nation & Beyond: The New Philanthropy - Alfred Deakin lectures 2008

On June 12 in Melbourne a crowd gathered to hear Rupert Myer AM and Sir Gus Nossal AC CBE, among others, speak on ‘The New Philanthropy’, as part of the Alfred Deakin Lectures. In an insightful and inspiring speech, Mr Myer challenged the audience to think carefully about the language of philanthropy - for him the term ‘giving back’ smacks of something taken or obligation, neither reflecting true philanthropy which derives from generosity of spirit.

You can read his paper on the PhilanthropyWiki.

New reports on the PhilanthropyWiki

‘Our Children, Our Future - Achieving Improved Primary and Secondary Education Outcomes for Indigenous Students’

A new report was launched recently, published by the AMP Foundation, Effective Philanthropy and Social Ventures Australia, offering an overview of philanthropic investment opportunities and approaches to improving outcomes for Indigenous students.

The report ‘Our Children, Our Future - Achieving Improved Primary and Secondary Education Outcomes for Indigenous Students’ provides an overview of current Indigenous education challenges and outcomes, and the impact these have on Indigenous students’ opportunities to access post-secondary qualifications and employment. It identifies the key underlying factors that contribute to this state of affairs, including the social, community and home contexts in which students participate, and their own personal life experience.

The authors, Louise Doyle and Regina Hill, provide a framework for making philanthropic investments that will produce sustainable outcomes, identifying 8 interventions. Case studies for each intervention category are provided, along with key success factors to assist philanthropic investors to assess the effectiveness of individual intervention programs.

Acting wikily: how networks are changing social change

For those wanting to understand how new technologies are contributing to social change efforts, ‘Acting wikily: how networks are changing social change’ is a great place to start. This article explores how new technologies are changing the way we communicate and connect, with particular emphasis on the what this might mean for not-for-profit organisations and philanthropic foundations.

Such fundamental practices as how groups get formed and work gets done are changing, as social media (also called Web 2.0) technologies offer “new networked ways of behaving - ways of acting wikily - that are characterized by principles of openness, transparency, decentralized decision-making, and distributed action.”

The authors question what impact this might have on social change movements and philanthropy, now that organisations are no longer the only way to organise effort; effectiveness is no longer equated with longevity but with mobilization; and the power balance between experts and amateurs is shifting.

On a reassuring note, human elements still matter, with trust and authentic relationships being essential elements of successful online networking.

Indigenous Governance Awards - Celebrating Indigenous Governance

Reconciliation Australia have published Celebrating Indigenous Governance, a publication based on the applications from the 2005 Indigenous Government Awards.

The Indigenous Governance Awards were created by Reconciliation Australia in partnership with BHP Billiton to identify, celebrate and promote effective Indigenous governance. The national awards highlight success in Indigenous Australia - strong leadership, good management, effective partnerships and brave, creative thinking.

The first two years of the awards (2005 and 2006) drew 104 applications, with a total of $50,000 awarded to organisations to continue building and developing good governance. The achievements of the applicants, finalists and winners in previous years were widely reported in the Indigenous and mainstream media.

The publication, Celebrating Indigenous Governance - Success stories of the Indigenous Governance Awards is available for free download from the IGA website.

Click here to find out more about the Awards.

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.

New on the Philanthropy Australia Website

New Position Vacant:

• Grants Manager, Victoria Law Foundation

New Events:

• Disability Affinity Group (Melbourne, Members Only) - 23rd April
• Philanthropy and Government in Partnership with Place (Melbourne) - 29th April
• Strong Foundations… Strong Future: Aboriginal Health Research Conference 2008 (Sydney) - 29th-30th April
• The Maimonides Society - take the temperature of Al Gore’s Climate Project (Melbourne) - 30th April
• Great Minds Review (Sydney, Members Only) - 6th May
• Climate Change: An American Funder’s Experience. Morning Tea with Ted Smith, Executive Director of the USA Kendall Foundation. (Melbourne) - 6th May
• Corporate Foundation Network Meeting (Sydney, Members Only) - 13th May
• Indigenous Affinity Group Meeting (Sydney, Members Only) - 15th May
• Early Intervention Affinity Group Meeting (Sydney, Members Only) - 22nd May
• Climate Change: the State and Federal Political Context, Lunchtime Seminar with John Thwaites (Melbourne) - 27th May
• Early Intervention Affinity Group (Melbourne, Members Only) - 29th May
• Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group panel - Indigenous Affinity Group (Echuca, Members Only) - 4th June
• Invasive Species -Threatening Australia’s Biodiversity and Landscapes (Lunchtime Seminar, Melbourne) - 10th June
• Arts Affinity Group (Melbourne, Members Only) - 12th June
• Grants 101: Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop (Sydney) - 23rd-25th June
• Making a Difference: Social Inclusion for New and Emerging Communities (Adelaide) - 26th-27th June
• Anti-Poverty Week 2008 (National) - 12th-18th October

New on the PhilanthropyWiki:

• The SEIFA (Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas) tables, produced by the ABS, provides a detailed data set comparing the relative social and economic conditions of cities, towns and suburbs across Australia as well as accompanying explanatory material and analysis.
• Developing Grantmaker Principles and Standards - presentation by Chris Andersen
• Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership - Many of the PMCBP’s publications are now available via FAHCSIA.

Other News:

• The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is part of a story on ABC Landline on Sunday 20 April at 12.00pm. It’s the story on the winner of the Drought not Out partnership FRRR had with the ABC.

New edition of ‘Australian Philanthropy’ Journal - Climate Change

Climate Change: Environmental and Social Impacts and What Philanthropy Can Do to Help is the theme of our latest issue of Australian Philanthropy, issue 68 Autumn 2008.

The threat presented by climate change to the world as we know it has more dimensions than simply the environmental. This issue of Australian Philanthropy seeks to understand why, to date, the philanthropic sector has been reluctant to commit much funding to addressing climate change and how that tide may be turning. We showcase outstanding Australian projects which seek to identify and minimise the environmental and social impacts of climate change, and explore what the philanthropic sector is undertaking on a global scale to address the issue. Our feature interviewee is Mark Wootton from Poola Foundation who funded the establishment of The Climate Institute.

• Read selected articles online or browse the full contents list on the PhilanthropyWiki; or
• Find out more about Australian Philanthropy on the Philanthropy Australia Website.

Just Change by Diana Leat

Dr. Diana Leat is Director of Creative Philanthropy Program at Carnegie UK Trust. Diana has extensive research experience in the philanthropic sector, citizenship and policy development, and has worked as a consultant for Demos, a British policy think tank. She has worked with WINGS-CF as consultant, editor and in evaluating the effectiveness of its peer matching program. She has also published extensively on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.

Diana’s latest publication, Just Change: Strategies for Increasing Philanthropic Impact, aims to encourage discussion of how philanthropy can contribute to achieving longer term systemic change with impact beyond immediate grantees, and inspire practice. The report illustrates a number of case studies which highlight some recurring themes in how foundations work and what they need to look for, and fund, in grant recipient partners if they want to contribute to achievement of wider, longer term impact.

While in Australia earlier this year, Diana conducted a number of seminars around the country in conjunction with the release of Just Change. To listen to an audio recording of the seminar in Queensland, go to the QUT website.

Limited copies of Just Change are available to purchase through Philanthropy Australia for $15.00. (This is a minimal cost charged to cover shipping from the UK, where it is available free of charge. Email acf@acf.org.uk for more information.)

Members and Resource/Knowledge Centre Subscribers may borrow Just Change from Philanthropy Australia’s Library.

New Books in the Philanthropy Australia Library

We have some wonderful new books in the Library, which our Members are welcome to borrow. You can request books online in the Catalogue at http://library.philanthropy.org.au or email Louise Arkles l.arkles@philanthropy.org.au and I will post the book to you.

Keeping a trust : South Australia’s Wyatt Benevolent Institution and its founder
By Carol Fort
Kent Town, South Australia : Wakefield Press : 2008
Call No. 509 FOR

This beautiful coffee table book tells the story of the life of William Wyatt and how, when he approached the end of his life without an heir, he created a philanthropic trust to benefit the people of South Australia. The first known philanthropic foundation in Australia, The Wyatt Benevolent Institution has been providing assistance to individuals in need for over 120 years.

The billionaire who wasn’t : how Chuck Feeney secretly made and gave away a fortune
By Conor O’Clery
New York : Public Affairs : 2007
Call No. 509 OCL

This biography tells the story of Chuck Feeney, how he made his fortune in duty free shopping and created Atlantic Philanthropies, one of the most generous and secretive philanthropic foundations in the world. Now a public name, Chuck Feeney espouses the ‘give while you live’ philosophy, and Atlantic Philanthropies is committed to giving away all its assets, over US$4 Billion, during the next decade.

Singing the land : the power of performance in Aboriginal life
By Jill Stubington
Strawberry Hills, NSW : Currency House : 2007
Call No. 360 STU

For the Indigenous people of Australia, songs and dances, have encoded their history and religion, their social organisation, and their connectedness to the land for 60,000 years. As research assistant to the eminent musicologist Alice Moyle, and later on her own behalf, Jill Stubington spent many years between 1960 and 1980 in remote regions of Australia learning to listen to this music, to understand its complexity, its central role in identity, social cohesion, celebration and the resolution of family conflict. From 1960 new sound and film equipment widened the opportunities for recording; and soon the guitar and recorded popular music began to intermingle with the traditional styles. It became a matter of urgency to use the new technology to preserve the old culture. In three sections the book details the diverse culture, its musical instruments and practice; and provides listening guides.

Trusts law in Australia
By Denis Ong
Annandale, NSW : The Federation Press : 2007
Call No. 054 ONG

‘Trusts Law in Australia’, now in its third edition, provides a comprehensive and scholarly analysis of modern trusts law. The 12 chapters cover the following aspects of the law of trusts; express trusts, charitable trusts, voluntary trusts, resulting trusts, constructive trusts, writing and related requirements, the rules against perpetuities and accumulations, life tenants, and the duties, liabilities, powers, rights, appointments, retirement and removal of trustees.

Beyond humbug : transforming government engagement with Indigenous Australia
By Michael C. Dillon and Neil D. Westbury
West Lakes, South Australia : Seaview Press : 2007
Call No. 360 DIL

Australia confronts a quandary in dealing with Indigenous issues. After 30 years of bipartisan support for policies based on self-determination and self-management, the [previous] Australian Government embarked on policies involving direct intervention in the lives of Indigenous citizens. ‘Beyond Humbug’ analyses the failure of government policy, extending from the demography of remote Australia, land tenure and native title, to program implementation challenges and the institutional underpinnings of Indigenous disadvantage.

Great philanthropists on trial : the art of the bequest
Edited by Andrew Grimwade & Gerard Vaughan
Melbourne : Miegunyah Press & National Gallery of Victoria : 2006
Call No. 305 GRI

Despite the rather misleading title, ‘Great philanthropists on trial’ is a celebration of philanthropy to the visual arts in Australia. A selection of essays by eminent contributors, including Sir Andrew Grimwade, Gerard Vaughan, Edmund Capon, Alison Inglis and John Poynton, explores major art bequests to Australian public art collections.

Australia’s Homeless Youth report

A new report released today by the National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness has found that homelessness for young Australians aged 12-18 has doubled in the past 20 years. The report, ‘Australia’s Homeless Youth’, is the result of an independent enquiry funded and supported by The Caledonia Foundation over a period of two years, making it possible for the National Youth Commission to draw together hundreds of oral and written submission from community organizations, individuals and government departments during a national community inquiry process conducted in 2007.

The report also found that at least 36,000 people under 25 are homeless on any given night.

‘Australia’s Homeless Youth’ is part of a two-pronged project to raise awareness about and combat youth homelessness, which also includes the funding of a confronting documentary, “The Oasis”, based on the work of the Oasis Youth Support Network, was screened on ABC1, Thursday 10 April at 8.30pm. The Caledonia Foundation will also donate a copy of “The Oasis” DVD to every secondary school in Australia, packaged with a comprehensive study guide and website.

The report provides a Roadmap for Youth Homelessness which highlights ten strategic action areas. Find out more, and download the report, on the PhilanthropyWiki.

New York Times feature on philanthropy

US newspaper New York Times ran a feature on philanthropy in a recent edition of their magazine. “The Money Issue” theme includes the articles:

The Celebrity Solution
What can a Hollywood star really do to change the world a little?

What Makes People Give?
Fund-raisers swear that gimmicks like matching grants, challenge grants and rewards increase donations. But do they?

How Many Billionaires Does It Take to Fix a School System?
Five experts debate the new education philanthropy.

Self-Made Philanthropists
Herb and Marion Sandler are giving away their phenomenal wealth the same way they earned it — by calling the shots.

For Good, Measure
Foundations are increasingly using “metrics” to determine if their grants are working. But can you really measure the return-on-investment of giving to a cause?

All of the above articles can be read online at The New York Times Magazine: Giving It Away.