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Changemaker: The social enterprise tackling loneliness and connecting communities

Sponsored: Filling the cracks - Our moral duty to reduce inequality in Australia

Crappy clean energy project scales up

Maggie Coggan, Tuesday, 20th August 2019 - An Australian-Cambodian social enterprise turning manure into a clean source of energy for cooking has successfully launched a pay-as-you-go model, giving thousands more Cambodians access to the technology.

Vinnies backflip on Newstart compromise

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 20th August 2019 - The St Vincent de Paul Society has backtracked on comments suggesting Newstart should only be raised for those over 55, with the charity pledging its support for a $75 increase for all recipients.

Australians’ generosity a “mixed bag”

Maggie Coggan, Tuesday, 20th August 2019 - Charities need to focus on communicating with their supporters if they want more donors, a sector expert warns, in the wake of new research that found the number of taxpayers making deductible gifts has fallen continuously for nearly a decade.

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Can we stop paying for professional development?

Contributor, Tuesday, 20th August 2019 - NonprofitReady shares six of the most popular online courses, available for free, to help you make a greater impact.

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Taking the future into our hands

Contributor, Tuesday, 20th August 2019 - The social sector is invited to become part of one of Australia’s fastest growing impact communities at the Social Innovation Summit.

Aussie veterans left sleeping rough

Luke Michael, Monday, 19th August 2019 - Australian defence veterans using homelessness services are twice as likely to be sleeping rough compared to non-veterans seeking specialist support, new data shows.

ACNC takes action on charity linked to controversial animal farm

Luke Michael, Monday, 19th August 2019 - An organisation linked to a rescue farm that was raided for alleged animal cruelty has been stripped of its charitable status, the charities watchdog has revealed.

UK urged to better protect aid workers from violence

Luke Michael, Monday, 19th August 2019 - The UK Department for International Development (DFID) must use its diplomatic power to protect aid workers from violence, a parliamentary committee says.

Opinion

When the weather means more than record temperatures and sunscreen

Esther Abram, Monday, 19th August 2019 - We need to start talking about climate change in all aspects of our lives, writes Esther Abram, green giving manager at the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network.

Analysis

Innovative uses of philanthropic funds to tackle complex social problems

Libby Ward-Christie, Monday, 19th August 2019 - A recent case study by the Centre for Social Impact highlights the power and potential of innovative solutions to address long-term homelessness. Moreover, it highlights the potential of innovative approaches to funding such initiatives that arise when the community sector, the financial sector, governments and philanthropy, work together. Here, Li

Changemaker

The social enterprise tackling loneliness and connecting communities

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 19th August 2019 - Nick Maisey is the CEO of Befriend, a Perth social enterprise fostering community connection and helping everyday Australians feel included. He’s this week’s Changemaker.

Opinion

Career change mindset hack: Understanding your money mindset

Clare Desira, Monday, 19th August 2019 - With talks of a global recession, mindset coach and CSR professional Clare Desira shares her take on money and why money doesn't buy happiness.

Careers Blog

Call me! Why recruiters want you to pick up the phone

Marilyn Jones, Monday, 19th August 2019 - Experienced recruiter Marilyn Jones advises job seekers to call before they apply, and always read the selection criteria carefully.

Indigenous advocates slam NT government over new youth detention site

Luke Michael, Friday, 16th August 2019 - The Northern Territory government’s decision to build a new youth detention centre beside an adult prison has angered Indigenous groups, who say the move ignores a key royal commission recommendation.

Five ways to smash a candidate interview

Maggie Coggan, Friday, 16th August 2019 - If you’re struggling to make the most out of your candidate interviews, then you’re not alone. Getting the right structure and asking the right questions takes practice, so we sat down with Nina Mapson-Bone from Beaumont People for a couple of tips.

Hungry? Order your food for a cause

Maggie Coggan, Friday, 16th August 2019 - One of the country’s largest food delivery services has launched a program to give hungry Melbournians the chance to satisfy their food cravings and help people who are experiencing homelessness at the same time.

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New FIA short courses address skills gap in fundraising sector

Contributor, Thursday, 15th August 2019 - Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) is offering five new short courses this spring for professionals looking to broaden their skill sets as their roles evolve.

Analysis

Time to change the way we invest

Contributor, Thursday, 15th August 2019 - Why are more foundations not joining the mission-investing trend or deploying a greater share of their assets, asks Ellen Dorsey, executive director at Wallace Global Fund.

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Filling the cracks: Our moral duty to reduce inequality in Australia

Andrew Cairns, Thursday, 15th August 2019 - Can we truly count Australia among the world’s “wealthy nations” when that wealth is not shared equally? Can we truly take pride in our country’s development and economic achievements when we know it’s not for everyone, asks Community Sector Banking CEO Andrew Cairns.

Opinion

Hoping for a bureaucratic miracle? Don’t hold your breath

David Crosbie, Thursday, 15th August 2019 - The Consumer Affairs Forum is not a group that is likely to drive significant change in fundraising regulation across Australia, writes Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie.

Leading through triumph and turmoil: Helen Szoke reflects

Maggie Coggan, Thursday, 15th August 2019 - Since 2013, Dr Helen Szoke AO has been at the helm of Oxfam Australia, steering the organisation through not only some of the worst humanitarian crises of our time, but internal Oxfam scandals. As she hangs up her boots in the sector for good, she reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her role.

Government under pressure to take action on fundraising reform

Luke Michael, Thursday, 15th August 2019 - Labor has vowed to keep pressure on the Morrison government to urgently fix fundraising laws, warning that continued inaction is costing charities millions of dollars in red tape.

‘It’s robbing Peter to pay Paul’: NGOs dismayed by aid budget raid

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 14th August 2019 - Australian humanitarian groups are frustrated by the Morrison government’s plan to redirect $500 million from the nation’s shrinking aid budget towards a climate change funding package for the Pacific region.

Indigenous businesses receive $3 billion boost

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 13th August 2019 - Some of Australia’s largest companies will spend $3 billion on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers over the next five years to help grow the Indigenous business sector.

Five lessons Australia could learn from Wales on ending homelessness

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 7th August 2019 - Homelessness is on the rise in Australia, and advocates say attempts to reduce the rising numbers have been fruitless. But Wales is treating the issue a little differently, and it’s making a difference. So what could Australia learn from Wales? We found out.

NDIS help arrives for Australians experiencing homelessness

Luke Michael, Friday, 9th August 2019 - A Sydney charity has developed a toolkit to make it easier for homeless Australians with severe mental health issues to apply for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Five sustainable consumer trends to get excited about

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 6th August 2019 - The sustainability revolution is underway, according to a new report examining how sustainability is disrupting key sections of the global economy. Here, we highlight five sustainable consumer trends outlined in the report that are transforming the way people shop.

Disability groups call for better quality plans in NDIS review

Luke Michael, Monday, 12th August 2019 - The Morrison government’s review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme must focus on improving the quality of plans, and not just on cutting wait times and red tape, disability advocates say.

Opinion

Don’t Buy. Don’t Supply. Say Why.

David Ritter, Thursday, 8th August 2019 - Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter offers three clear steps every workplace can take to help get fossil fuels out of our economy, as part of a series on Fighting Global Warming in your Workplace.

Gillian Triggs to shine a light on Australia’s refugee treatment

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 12th August 2019 - Gillian Triggs’ appointment as the assistant high commissioner for protection at the United Nations has been welcomed by refugee advocates, who say she will be a strong voice on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers around the world.

Fix fundraising: ‘The horse has well and truly bolted’

Wendy Williams, Wednesday, 7th August 2019 - The battle to fix fundraising and achieve reforms using the existing state and territory regimes is lost, says the head of Not-for-profit Law at Justice Connect.

Australians’ generosity a “mixed bag”

ACNC takes action on charity linked to controversial animal farm

Leading through triumph and turmoil: Helen Szoke reflects

Morrison government’s welfare fraud lab comes under fire

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 7th August 2019 - The launch of a new digital forensics lab to detect welfare fraud has been slammed by anti-poverty advocates, who say the lab will only serve to unfairly paint welfare recipients as “dole cheats”.

Government under pressure to take action on fundraising reform

Thinking of jumping onto the NFP ship? Here’s what you need to do

Maggie Coggan, Friday, 9th August 2019 - If you’re getting tired of your corporate gig, a job in the for-purpose sector could be the refresh you need. But where do you start? We asked former corporate-whiz turned World Vision CEO Claire Rogers for some advice.

ACNC urges charities to complete their reporting requirements

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 7th August 2019 - More than 2,000 Australian charities are at risk of losing their charity status for failing their annual reporting requirements, the charity regulator warns.

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Not-for-profit governance in the spotlight

Contributor, Thursday, 8th August 2019 - The Australian Institute of Company Directors is running a series of national events over the coming months, to explore the findings from this year’s Not-for-Profit Governance and Performance Study.

Hungry? Order your food for a cause

Changemaker

The fight for finance to do social good

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 12th August 2019 - As the CEO of Impact Investing Australia, Sally McCutchan is fighting to not only grow the Australian impact investing market but make sure it’s doing as much good as possible. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

Are we headed towards a new economy?

Wendy Williams, Wednesday, 7th August 2019 - Dr Amanda Cahill, the CEO of The Next Economy, talks to Wendy Williams about what we mean when we talk about a new economy and how it could work.

Analysis

Innovative uses of philanthropic funds to tackle complex social problems

Spotlight

Weaving together a community and a better future

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 7th August 2019 - For nearly 25 years, the Tjanpi Desert Weavers have empowered over 400 women to earn an income through contemporary fibre art in their communities. But their clever designs are also catching the attention of the art community on a national and international scale, writes Maggie Coggan in this month’s Spotlight on Social Enterprise.

Opinion

The cooperative resurgence

Contributor, Tuesday, 13th August 2019 - Cooperatives are an innovative, resilient and social-minded business model, but few Australians are aware, writes Sidsel Grimstad from the University of Newcastle.

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Can we stop paying for professional development?

Contributor, Tuesday, 20th August 2019 - NonprofitReady shares six of the most popular online courses, available for free, to help you make a greater impact.

Sponsored

Taking the future into our hands

Contributor, Tuesday, 20th August 2019 - The social sector is invited to become part of one of Australia’s fastest growing impact communities at the Social Innovation Summit.

Changemaker

The social enterprise tackling loneliness and connecting communities

Sponsored

New FIA short courses address skills gap in fundraising sector

Sponsored

Filling the cracks: Our moral duty to reduce inequality in Australia

Changemaker

The fight for finance to do social good

Sponsored

Not-for-profit governance in the spotlight

Spotlight

Weaving together a community and a better future

Sponsored

Own your financial future project

Contributor, Tuesday, 6th August 2019 - A new grant-funded project aims to demystify basic investment and financial concepts and empower women over 55 to have conversations with their partners, children and financial advisers, writes Silvana Eccles, national education and operations manager at Australian Shareholders Association.

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Local business saves 85,000 single-use bowls

Contributor, Tuesday, 6th August 2019 - Next time you eat takeaway food in Melbourne, enjoy your meal in a returnable stainless steel bowl designed by a local business that City of Melbourne supported with a small business grant.

Changemaker

Changing the face of architecture for social good

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 5th August 2019 - HY William Chan isn’t your average architect. He’s using his passion for social change to disrupt the industry to design sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities for the future. He’s this week’s Changemaker.

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Four steps to becoming a diversity and inclusion advocate in your workplace

Contributor, Monday, 5th August 2019 - We’re becoming better aware that diversity and inclusion can be an issue in the places we work. But as individuals, what can we do to identify problems, and find solutions?

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Lead the way towards wellbeing

Contributor, Thursday, 1st August 2019 - MacKillop Family Services is hosting a two-day conference as part of its commitment to support children, young people and families to heal from adversity.

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Making money, doing good: The growth of impact investment

Contributor, Thursday, 1st August 2019 - As the impact investment sector expands, new and improved measurement is helping to bring the practice into the financial mainstream.

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What purpose-driven team practices really look like

Contributor, Tuesday, 30th July 2019 - Innovative not for profits are shaping the future of work. Want to learn and experience how? Purpose at Work and Wellbeing Teams will share how you can implement innovative ways of working to attract, engage and retain your workforce on 9 September in Melbourne.

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My Story – Maria da Graca Guerreiro

Contributor, Tuesday, 30th July 2019 - Rita Mu speaks with Maria da Graca Guerreiro about why she chose to leave money to ChildFund in her will and how she is hoping her own decision will inspire others to do the same.

Changemaker

Run to reduce homelessness

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 29th July 2019 - Keegan Crage is the founder of On My Feet, an organisation that helps people who are homeless get back on track through running. He’s this week’s Changemaker.

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Resilience, mental health and masculinity – Talking Sticks national tour to transform the conversation

Contributor, Thursday, 25th July 2019 - Crises can and do hit families all the time. In order to shine a light on what it truly takes to live, and love after loss, Talking Sticks is hosting Cameron and Sam Bloom, who will share their story and explain what kept their family together after their lives were turned upside down.

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Income recognition template designed for not for profits

Contributor, Thursday, 25th July 2019 - HLB shares a new template to help not for profits comply with complex new accounting standards and find a process to determine how and when to recognise income.

Opinion

Career change mindset hacks: The power of small actions

Clare Desira, Monday, 22nd July 2019 - Massive progress in your career planning and job search could be easier than you think. Watch Clare Desira’s latest mindset hack video to find out how small changes could make a big difference.

Changemaker

Stepping back to step up as a leader

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 22nd July 2019 - Sally Hetherington OAM is the president of the Human and Hope Association Incorporated, a grassroots organisation run by Cambodian locals providing education programs to vulnerable kids. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

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Purpose-driven investment for purpose-driven organisations: The case for ethical investing

Contributor, Tuesday, 16th July 2019 - Whatever the future holds, ethical investing will continue to increase its impact. In this article, Mathew Browning, U Ethical chief executive officer, answers three common questions about investing ethically.

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Volunteering: The ultimate act of kindness

Andrew Cairns, Tuesday, 16th July 2019 - Andrew Cairns, CEO of Community Sector Banking, considers how we can grow volunteerism in businesses to build a stronger civil society.

Changemaker

The woman forging the path for Indigenous economic independence

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 15th July 2019 - Amanda Young is the CEO of the First Nations Foundation, an organisation fighting to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders achieve economic independence. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

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Westpac Social Change Fellowship: 10 tips for writing a successful application

Contributor, Monday, 15th July 2019 - If you had the chance to invest in your professional and personal development to increase your impact, would you do it? The Westpac Social Change Fellowship gives you this opportunity.

Opinion

Giving fraud the finger: Are biometrics the final word in preventing aid diversion?

Oliver May, Thursday, 11th July 2019 - As Pro Bono News reports on a rise in fraud allegations in the NDIS, and the UN attempts to control diversion in Yemen with biometrics, technologies seem to offer simple fraud control solutions. But do they actually, asks Oliver May.