philanthropyOz Blog

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

Pakistan Flood Relief

Flash flooding across Pakistan has killed more than 1,500 people and destroyed well over 700,000 homes. There is an urgent need for clean water, food, shelter, and medical care among those affected.

Needs in the longer term for a vast number of people — estimates range from six million to fourteen million — will include assistance rebuilding homes, restarting businesses, and replacing lost livestock and crops.

Australians are able to donate to the Pakistan relief effort through World Vision and The Australian Red Cross.

Community Foundations Forum - Registrations Now Open

Australian National Community Foundations Forum 2010

Date: Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 October, 2010

Location: Best Western Melbourne Airport Conference Centre, Melbourne, Victoria

Registrations now open!
» Download the Registration Form here

» Download the preliminary Programme here

This Forum is for:

• Community Foundation practitioners
• Board members
• Community Foundation staff
• Volunteers

It is also the perfect venue for those people from communities seeking to learn about the Community Foundation movement and what it can achieve for their community.

Any community or group seeking to investigate the idea of a Community Foundation should have representatives attend this Forum.

It is also an ideal Forum for those in Government and the public service to learn what Community Foundations can do, are achieving and hope to achieve for the Australian community in the years ahead.

To keep up to date with announcements on the CF Forum, visit the Community Foundations Gateway.

Billionaires commit to give half their wealth

As a result of launch of “The Giving Pledge” by Warren Buffett and Bill & Melinda Gates, some forty American billionaires and their families have pledged to give away at least 50% of their wealth. Each person making the plege has written a letter describing why they have done so, providing a fascinating insight into the philanthropic impulse.

» Read the full story on the Sydney Morning Herald website here
» Visit the Giving Pledge website to view the pledges

Change at Philanthropy Australia

After nearly five years as Chief Executive Officer of Philanthropy Australia, Gina Anderson has decided to step down from her role.

In thanking Gina for her contribution, the President of Philanthropy Australia, Mr Bruce Bonyhady AM, said “ I wish to place on record the appreciation of Council for the dedication and verve with which Gina has served Australian philanthropy while our Chief Executive.  Gina has ably overseen the development of Philanthropy Australia into an organisation with a truly national focus. She can be justifiably proud of the progress and achievements that have been made under her leadership and the Council wishes her well in her future endeavours.”

The effective date for Gina’s resignation is 30 September 2010, and the Council of Philanthropy Australia has appointed a search firm, Boardroom Partners, to handle the process for the recruitment of Gina’s successor, which is anticipated will take several months.

Download the media release on Gina Anderson’s resignation

Inquiry into Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010

Philanthropy Australia has submitted comments in response to the Inquiry into Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010.

Excerpt:

We would direct the Committee’s attention to recommendation 7.1 of the Productivity Commission Report into the Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector as a more comprehensive and efficient way of ensuring clarity around the definition of charitable purposes.

RECOMMENDATION 7.1
The Australian Government should adopt a statutory definition of charitable purposes in accordance with the recommendations of the 2001 Inquiry into the Definition of Charities and Related Organisations.

» Download the letter to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee
» Available on the submissions page

Conference 2010: Draft Programme now available

The Draft Programme for Philanthropy Australia’s Conference 2010: Philanthropy at the Tipping Point? is now available to download:
www.philanthropy.org.au/conference/Philanthropy-Australia-Conference-2010-DRAFT.pdf

For confirmed speakers, news and further details visit the Philanthropy Australia Conference 2010 website:
www.philanthropy.org.au/conference/

Life Membership presented to Mr Charles Goode AC

Philanthropy Australia is pleased to announce that Charles Goode AC has been appointed an Honorary Life Member of Philanthropy Australia.

Charles Goode AC is the long-standing Chairman of the Ian Potter Foundation. After a distinguished career at Potter Partners, including as its Senior Partner, he has had a long career as a prominent director and Chairman of major public companies. He has also held board and committee appointments at the Austin Hospital, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, the Australian Ballet School, the State Library of Victoria and the Library of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He has served as a member of Council of Monash University and as a director of its Centre for Molecular Biology and Medicine. He is also a former member of the Finance Committee of the Australian Academy of Science. From 1987, he was director of Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine and was Chairman from 1997-2004. In 2001 he was appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to business, particularly through major achievements in the area of finance, for guidance in his position on the Boards of charitable and health-related organizations, and for outstanding direction of philanthropic policy in the community.

The Council and Members of Philanthropy Australia would also like to thank Charles for the tremendous support Philanthropy Australia has received from both ANZ and Charles personally.

Philanthropy Australia AGM & 2009 Annual Report

Philanthropy Australia’s Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday April 28. Philanthropy Australia’s President, Bruce Bonyhady, presented Members with the President’s Report for 2009 and then provided some thoughtful comments on the factors which make Australian philanthropy distinctive and on how the sector might grow in the future. Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes of the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies at QUT then launched the study ‘Australian Foundations and the Downturn’ by Dr Diana Leat, examining the response of Australian foundations to the global financial crisis.

For more information please visit the Annual Report page.

Download Bruce Bonyhady’s speech
Download Myles McGregor-Lowndes’ presentation

Download Philanthropy Australia’s 2009 Annual Report

Philanthropy Australia Conference 2010 Confirmed

This year’s Philanthropy Australia Conference 2010: Philanthropy at the Tipping Point? has been confirmed for 31 August - 1 September, 2010 in Melbourne.

More details to follow shortly.

For speakers, programme and registration information, please see the Philanthropy Australia Conference website