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Changemaker: Living HIV positive

A homeless woman sitting on a street holding a cardboard sign

Sponsored: ‘It’s our national shame’

Jeff Bezos pledges US$10 billion to tackle climate change

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 18th February 2020 - But climate activists say Bezos needs to go beyond grand philanthropic gestures by improving his company’s environmental policies

Australia steps down aid in Asia, as it steps up in the Pacific

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 18th February 2020 - Aid groups say funding cuts in Southeast Asia do not make sense from both a humanitarian and security standpoint

Opinion

Predictions for 2020: Community services

Doug Taylor, Tuesday, 18th February 2020 - A report released in the latter part of last year could lead to a tipping point of sorts for the not-for-profit sector in 2020, as the implications of this start to play out and we ask questions more critical about the pros and cons of markets in human services, writes Doug Taylor.

Sponsored

We need to facilitate responsive, future-focused philanthropy

Contributor, Tuesday, 18th February 2020 - Equity Trustees’ involvement in establishing two disaster response trusts and the 2019 Annual Giving Review highlight the critical necessity for innovative approaches to adapt to current community expectations and needs, writes Jodi Kennedy, general manager of charitable trusts and philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

Opinion

Increased attention to sustainable development goals

Teri Behrens, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Philanthropic funding in support of the sustainable development goals has been shooting up every year since their adoption, and funders are increasingly collaborating to chart their investments and global progress towards the goals. Still, a projected $2.5 trillion funding gap persists – with no silver bullet in sight, write Jamie DeLeeuw and Ter

‘We need to see action’: Disability advocates present plan to end barriers to work

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 17th February 2020 - The plan has been labelled a down payment on the future of people with disability

Government inquiry launches to find answers to homelessness

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Homelessness organisations are being encouraged to have their say in the inquiry

Hot Topic

My first 100 days

Lea Corbett, Monday, 17th February 2020 - In the first of six interviews with current CEOs, Lea Corbett and Amanda Cornwall from Map consulting group speak with YMCA Victoria CEO Carolyn Morris about the experiences and challenges of leading an NFP.

Push for UK government to help charities measure their impact

Luke Michael, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Charities could soon have access to free impact measurement resources

Australia faces a multi-billion dollar economic hit without strong climate action

Luke Michael, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Inaction on climate change could cost the global economy up to US$9.87 trillion by 2050

Opinion

Career change mindset hacks: Who are you talking about?

Clare Desira, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Our mindset hacks for a bigger impact videos are back. This week resident Pro Bono Australia mindset coach and 10-year CSR professional Clare Desira is asking us to pay attention to who exactly we're spending our time talking about.

Changemaker

Living HIV positive

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Living with HIV for 25 years, Heather Ellis knows all too well about the stigma and shame that accompanies the diagnosis, particularly for a woman. It’s something that as the chair of Positive Women Victoria, she’s fighting to stamp out. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

How to find a job (when you've already got one)

Maggie Coggan, Friday, 14th February 2020 - Struggling to juggle your job hunt with your current job? This might help.

Why a 104-year-old US Marine has 70,000 reasons to smile this Valentine’s Day

Luke Michael, Friday, 14th February 2020 - A World War II hero has won the hearts of the nation

Improper care causes spate of preventable deaths for people with disability

Luke Michael, Friday, 14th February 2020 - More than half of the deaths reviewed in Queensland were considered potentially treatable or avoidable

Opinion

The key role of community organisations in disaster recovery

Cassandra Goldie, Friday, 14th February 2020 - The community service sector is committed to helping those impacted for as long as it takes to rebuild and protect communities into the future. But as work continues on-the-ground, the need for a federal government response that complements the efforts of the community sector is clear, writes Australian Council of Social Service CEO Cassandra Goldi

Opinion

Change and charity

David Ritter, Thursday, 13th February 2020 - The beauty of our shared charity is not going to be enough in the face of the fires – it is only through advocacy that we can prevent the fires of the future, writes Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter.

Sponsored

‘It’s our national shame’

Andrew Cairns, Thursday, 13th February 2020 - Addressing domestic violence in our communities must be a national priority, writes Andrew Cairns, CEO of Community Sector Banking.

Collective insights

How do we get our board more engaged in our fundraising efforts?

Teisha Archer, Wednesday, 12th February 2020 - The Xfactor Collective specialist member Teisha Archer shares ways in which executive teams and managers can get their boards more engaged in fundraising and philanthropy efforts, in our weekly Collective Insights column.

Indigenous partnership could be the ‘circuit breaker’ in closing the gap

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 12th February 2020 - Australia is on track to meet just two of the seven Closing the Gap targets

Opinion

Tainted Money and Tainted Donors: A Growing Crisis?

Michael Moody, Wednesday, 12th February 2020 - New examples of the “tainted donor” or “tainted money” problem seem to keep popping up, and some even argue that the “cleanliness” of any money gained through capitalist practices should be considered suspect. Yet, all of this puts the not for profits who depend to varying degrees on private donations in an ethically complicated spot, w

Fears of donor fatigue as bushfire relief efforts charge on

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 12th February 2020 - Charity CEO describes relief effort as a marathon, not a sprint

Children’s commissioner says Australia isn’t doing enough to protect vulnerable kids

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 11th February 2020 - A new report says the mental health of Australian children is not being cared for properly

Zali Steggall calls for end to the ‘climate wars’

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 11th February 2020 - “Let's run a line in the sand on the past divisions we have had," Steggall says

Opinion

Increasing critiques of (big) philanthropy

Tory Martin, Tuesday, 11th February 2020 - Recent critiques that philanthropy has gone awry are important and provocative appeals to hold big donors and major institutions accountable in a democratic society. Yet, some critics may run the risk of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, write Tory Martin and Michael Moody.

Opinion

The second NDIS shock absorber: The disability workforce

Fran Connelley, Tuesday, 11th February 2020 - The NDIS has fundamentally changed the nature of work in this sector, and the reality is that the current funding model is failing to attract and retain a qualified, motivated and suitably compensated workforce, writes Fran Connelley.

Aussies ‘uncomfortable’ with students with intellectual disability in their child’s school

Luke Michael, Monday, 10th February 2020 - But disability advocates say the segregation of kids with disability in education is a fundamental breach of human rights

Adani disrupted as 75-year-old ‘locks on’ to headquarters

Maggie Coggan, Saturday, 8th February 2020 - “It’s the one thing I can do to try and save the world.”

Opinion

Predictions for 2020: Shared value

Helen Steel, Tuesday, 4th February 2020 - Looking to the year ahead, Helen Steel suggests the most important cultural and economic shifts we make this year will come from recognising that social and economic outcomes aren’t mutually exclusive, but mutually dependent.

Community groups slam religious discrimination bill

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 5th February 2020 - Critics argue the legislation gives religious groups unprecedented privileges to discriminate

Transferring wealth… into the hands of the community

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 5th February 2020 - Residents of Wangaratta, Indigo, Alpine and Mansfield could raise $6.3 million in charitable assets over a decade

Indigenous partnership could be the ‘circuit breaker’ in closing the gap

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 12th February 2020 - Australia is on track to meet just two of the seven Closing the Gap targets

Children’s commissioner says Australia isn’t doing enough to protect vulnerable kids

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 11th February 2020 - A new report says the mental health of Australian children is not being cared for properly

Opinion

Predictions for 2020: Philanthropy

Sarah Davies, Wednesday, 5th February 2020 - Sarah Davies AM shares a few thought starters on what we can expect from philanthropy over the coming year – including what we want to change, and what we want to keep – as part of a series of predictions from leading experts across the social sector.

Improper care causes spate of preventable deaths for people with disability

Luke Michael, Friday, 14th February 2020 - More than half of the deaths reviewed in Queensland were considered potentially treatable or avoidable

Sponsored

‘It’s our national shame’

Andrew Cairns, Thursday, 13th February 2020 - Addressing domestic violence in our communities must be a national priority, writes Andrew Cairns, CEO of Community Sector Banking.

Happenings on the hill

430 million reasons why the social sector needs to ‘up its game’ with federal Parliament

Neil Pharaoh, Tuesday, 11th February 2020 - Which sectors donated the most money to political parties last year and what does this mean for social sector advocacy? Neil Pharaoh breaks it down in a new fortnightly column focusing on all things politics, policy, campaigns and advocacy.

Why NFPs need to look beyond successful pilot programs

Luke Michael, Monday, 10th February 2020 - Many successful pilots funded by philanthropy or government never reach scale and have no impact on policy

Spotlight

The key to success is collaboration (and an app)

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 5th February 2020 - As the primary carer for a son with multiple and complex disabilities, Danny Hui juggles appointments with up to 40 different doctors and therapists at any one time. But his app, Sameview, could be the answer to making life easier for himself and his son, as well as for other carers and people with disability, writes Maggie Coggan in this month�

Opinion

Donating in a humanitarian crisis: What donors should know

Jocelyn Condon, Tuesday, 4th February 2020 - Jocelyn Condon from ACFID shines a light on what donors can expect to know about how donations are spent and why speed is not always the best indicator of money well-spent.

Opinion

Smear campaign against green activists, anti-protest laws and media restrictions in Australia

Contributor, Thursday, 6th February 2020 - In an illuminating new article, CIVICUS Monitor highlights why Australia's civic space rating was recently downgraded to “narrowed”.

Environment group and bushfire victims take aim at ANZ on climate change

Maggie Coggan, Tuesday, 4th February 2020 - “It is illegal for someone to light a bushfire, and we believe it is illegal for companies to finance the burning of our common home,” Friends of the Earth says

Government inquiry launches to find answers to homelessness

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Homelessness organisations are being encouraged to have their say in the inquiry

Opinion

Predictions for 2020: Charities

Dr Gary Johns, Monday, 10th February 2020 - Charities can expect transparency, fundraising regulation, wealth transfers and innovation to come under the spotlight as we move into the 2020s, writes Dr Gary Johns, commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for profits Commission (ACNC).

Sponsored

Salary packaging – End of year tips. Act now!

Contributor, Tuesday, 4th February 2020 - The next few months are very important if you work in the not-for-profit sector and you salary package.

Opinion

Building community wealth: Are Mondragon’s cooperative ideas transferable to Australia?

Alan Greig, Tuesday, 4th February 2020 - Alan Greig looks at what we can learn from the successful Mondragon model and the impact of employee ownership.

Changemaker

Keeping purpose at the core of the job

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 10th February 2020 - With nearly 15 years in the welfare sector, Katie Hooper is taking over the Foyer Foundation to lead the organisation through its next chapter in tackling youth homelessness. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

Australia faces a multi-billion dollar economic hit without strong climate action

Luke Michael, Monday, 17th February 2020 - Inaction on climate change could cost the global economy up to US$9.87 trillion by 2050

Collective insights

How do we get our board more engaged in our fundraising efforts?

Sponsored

We need to facilitate responsive, future-focused philanthropy

Changemaker

Living HIV positive

Sponsored

‘It’s our national shame’

Andrew Cairns, Thursday, 13th February 2020 - Addressing domestic violence in our communities must be a national priority, writes Andrew Cairns, CEO of Community Sector Banking.

Changemaker

Keeping purpose at the core of the job

Sponsored

Lifting your gaze: Governing for social impact

Contributor, Thursday, 6th February 2020 - In a partnership between the Centre for Social Impact (CSI), AGSM @ UNSW Business School, JBWere and NAB, more than 200 social impact leaders from across the Australian not-for-profit sector have now progressed through a unique “Governance for Social Impact” education program.

Spotlight

The key to success is collaboration (and an app)

Sponsored

Salary packaging – End of year tips. Act now!

Contributor, Tuesday, 4th February 2020 - The next few months are very important if you work in the not-for-profit sector and you salary package.

Changemaker

It’s a positive body image revolution

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 3rd February 2020 - For young people, social media platforms such as Instagram can be a portal to negative and dangerous perceptions around body image. It’s a problem that Monash researcher and clinical psychologist Dr Gemma Sharp is fighting to find a solution to. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

Sponsored

How I built a career in gender and international development

Contributor, Monday, 3rd February 2020 - Volunteering overseas kick-started Simone Condon’s career in both international development and gender. But what is the role of gender in international development? And how can you use your skills to support gender projects? Here she shares her insights.

Vote for 2019's innovators and changemakers

Wendy Williams, Thursday, 30th January 2020 - Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 Awards shine a spotlight on individuals who are working to make the world a better place

Sponsored

The Ethics Centre presents the Festival of Dangerous Ideas

Contributor, Thursday, 30th January 2020 - Australia’s original provocative ideas festival returns to Sydney this April to present a dangerous weekend of critical thinking and important conversations.

Sponsored

Transitions Film Festival presents visions for a better world

Contributor, Tuesday, 28th January 2020 - The ninth annual Transitions Film Festival returns to Cinema Nova this February with another inspiring line-up of world-changing films.

Sponsored

Revamped Australian Not-for-Profit Technology Awards at heart of Connecting Up Conference 2020

Contributor, Tuesday, 28th January 2020 - Not for profits and private sector organisations making a positive impact through technology will be hailed at this year’s Australian Not-for-Profit Technology Awards in Melbourne.

Changemaker

Meet the man tackling the climate crisis head on

Maggie Coggan, Friday, 24th January 2020 - As Oxfam Australia’s climate change advocacy coordinator, Dr Simon Bradshaw is fighting to protect the world’s most vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. He’s this week’s Changemaker.

Sponsored

Bridging the education gap: Why Australia is failing Indigenous Australians

Andrew Cairns, Thursday, 23rd January 2020 - Nobody in Australia knows why we are failing to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education like Indigenous Australians themselves, but their voices are still missing from the picture, writes Andrew Cairns, CEO of Community Sector Banking.

Pro Bono Australia launches a Guide to Giving of Bushfire Appeals

Wendy Williams, Wednesday, 22nd January 2020 - Search by category, location, tax deductible status, and registered charity status to find a cause to donate to

Sponsored

Setting your 2020 vision for government engagement – a checklist

Andrew Blyberg, Thursday, 16th January 2020 - As we kick off a new year, Andrew Blyberg from Fifty Acres looks ahead to the federal budget and shares a checklist to help not for profits craft a clear vision for 2020.

Changemaker

Rebuilding communities one book at a time

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 13th January 2020 - Kamilaroi man Corey Tutt is the founder of Deadly Science, an organisation opening up the world of science and the natural world to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids across the country. He’s this week’s Changemaker.

Sponsored

Does volunteering overseas enhance your career?

Contributor, Monday, 13th January 2020 - Kathy Townsend has a unique understanding of both the recruitment market, and the breadth of work of Australian volunteers overseas. A “head hunter” for 23 years, she’s also a returned volunteer and chair of the board of AVI (which manages the Australian Volunteers Program). Here she explains how volunteering overseas can enhance your career.

What about the charities?

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 8th January 2020 - Charities big and small are stepping up to support the people and wildlife worst affected by this year’s catastrophic bushfires. But how is the sector coping with one of the largest disaster relief efforts to date?

How are Aussie charities helping in the bushfire crisis?

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 7th January 2020 - Australian charities are working tirelessly to help those in need as fires ravage the country

Doco of the Month

Doco of the month: Happy Sad Man

Wendy Williams, Thursday, 19th December 2019 - How do men navigate the dance between happiness and sadness? Geneviève Bailey wanted to find out. Here she talks to Wendy Williams about her film Happy Sad Man, which explores how five men deal with mental health and find their recipe for happiness, as part of a series profiling powerful documentaries in partnership with Documentary Australia Foun