Impact-driven networks – this is how philanthropy can ‘fund the glue’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Julia Gillard’s call to action was possibly the most oft-repeated at the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025. This Q&A with Darius Polok, Managing Director of the International Alumni Center (iac Berlin), who spoke at the event, delves into how philanthropy can invest in supporting the community networks and ecosystems necessary to achieve systems change. However, this will require shifts in perspective and practice.
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The Canva mission: ‘We want our giving to grow as fast as the company is growing’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Tech company Canva’s unique approach to corporate giving is baked into its business model – to provide its visual communication platform free to educators and not-for-profits. That mission has just passed some remarkable milestones. More than 100 million teachers and students, and 870,000 NFPs in 190 countries now benefit, a gift valued at $1.5bn annually. On top of this, the Canva Foundation gave out $50m+ last year. Head of Social Impact, Robyn King, says there is much more to come.
How a leadership program creates catalytic connections across sectors
Katherine Ellis, CEO, Leadership Victoria
Fri, 22 Aug 2025
Fellows of the Williamson Community Leadership Program commit to ‘always take the call’ from another Fellow. This creates a web of influence that spans business, government and civil society lasting decades. Katherine Ellis, CEO of Leadership Victoria, which runs the program, says that investment in leadership is an ‘impact accelerator’.
Canberra charity roundtable looks to boost productivity, streamline reporting and boost innovation
Nick Place, Community Advocate
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
A strong commitment to boosting productivity in the charity and not-for-profit sector, as well as improving government evaluation and reporting demands, dominated an industry roundtable in Canberra Tuesday. The roundtable was organised to allow Charities Minister Andrew Leigh and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek to spend time with more than 25 sector leaders, behind closed doors and with all ideas on the table.
‘Fund the glue’: Julia Gillard sets a compelling tone at Leadership Summit dinner
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
The Pre-Summit Dinner at the National Press Club with the Hon. Julia Gillard AC was the perfect way to kick off the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025.She delivered a powerful opening address to frame the coming discussions on leadership for our times. The only woman to have held the Australian prime ministership, she spoke of the two roles that are now “incredibly close to my heart” – Chair of the Wellcome Trust in London and Founder and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership.
Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025: ‘People have appreciated the honesty of the speakers’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
The feedback was clear and consistent. This year's Philanthropy Australia Canberra summit took a refreshing direction that felt inclusive, open and a rich exchange of ideas. The tone was set early ‘to push each other hard in conversations’ and a focus on sharing personal stories struck a chord. Delegates came away feeling galvanised and energised about the sector’s unique position to play an important role in addressing the polycrisis.
PA welcomes Laura Cochrane as Executive Director, Membership and Engagement
Fri, 8 Aug 2025
The Philanthropy Australia team is delighted to welcome Laura Cochrane as Executive Director, Membership and Engagement. Laura is an executive with 20 years’ experience across philanthropy, social investment, corporate affairs and journalism. She was most recently CEO and Managing Director of the Bennelong Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bangarra Family Office, where she led giving in Australia and the UK focused on creating education and employment pathways for people facing the biggest barriers to participation.
