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Career change mindset hacks: The power of small actions

Changemaker: Stepping back to step up as a leader

Philanthropists changing the face of Australia recognised in top awards

Maggie Coggan, Tuesday, 23rd July 2019 - Art dealer and philanthropist Phillip Bacon AM has taken home this year’s top Australian Philanthropy Award for his contributions to the arts.

Opinion

Assessing an impact investment fund using an impact audit

Geoff Mulgan, Tuesday, 23rd July 2019 - How do we know what difference impact investing makes? Nesta commissioned an impact audit to assess its impact investment fund, writes Nesta CEO Geoff Mulgan as part of a series of case studies highlighting different approaches to capturing impact.

Opinion

Market, what market? Why bottom up innovation is so rare in human services

Nicholas Gruen, Tuesday, 23rd July 2019 - There is a huge catch 22 driving impact measurement in human services. A lot of the evaluation is done because governments seek it, but then it goes nowhere – and for good reason. NGOs can’t escape this without something like an evaluator general, writes Nicholas Gruen.

Standardised finance system promises to cut charity red tape

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 22nd July 2019 - The Australian charities sector should keep a close eye on a plan to develop international finance reporting standards, experts say.

Coalition faces internal pressure to raise Newstart

Luke Michael, Monday, 22nd July 2019 - Liberal Senator Dean Smith has joined a growing chorus of Coalition figures calling for Newstart to be raised, amid another push from the Greens to increase the payment.

Opinion

Australia’s podcast revolution

Mike Davis, Monday, 22nd July 2019 - Podcasts offer us a great way to harness and optimise idle time so that we might learn, connect and grow. Here podcast fanatic and producer Mike Davis shares his top five listens from Australia.

Advocates say subsidies needed to grow affordable housing stock

Luke Michael, Monday, 22nd July 2019 - Community housing advocates have welcomed a $45.7 million low-interest construction loan from the Commonwealth housing funder but say the government must do more to fix a persistent funding gap in low-income housing delivery.

Opinion

The search for purpose: The recruiting challenge

Leonie Cranney, Monday, 22nd July 2019 - Aligning purpose-oriented individuals with purpose-oriented businesses can spark joy, improve business performance and enhance job satisfaction. But how do you find these people? Leonie Cranney, marketing manager at Talent Nation, shares advice on how to find people driven by purpose for your organisation – even when they are not actively looking

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.

How to support mental health in your workplace

Maggie Coggan, Friday, 19th July 2019 - Knowing how to provide the right mental health support for your staff can be tricky, which is why we asked the experts at Beyond Blue how you can make your workplace more mental health friendly.

Emoji update brings ‘more diversity to the keyboard’

Luke Michael, Friday, 19th July 2019 - Apple has unveiled several new disability-themed emojis as part of a plan to help fill “a significant gap in the emoji keyboard”.

Aussie companies urged to get more employees volunteering

Luke Michael, Friday, 19th July 2019 - The time corporates spend volunteering has not seen significant growth over the past decade despite increasing recognition of the value to employees and businesses, a new report says.

The UK’s super rich are shunning philanthropy

Luke Michael, Thursday, 18th July 2019 - Just one in 10 of the UK’s wealthiest people are regularly giving to charity, according to new research.

Meet the woman who spent 22 months applying for the Disability Support Pension

Luke Michael, Thursday, 18th July 2019 - When Brianna Bell turned up at Centrelink with her wheelchair, assistance dog and carer, staff wondered how it was possible she was not yet receiving any payments.

Opinion

Housing the new infrastructure

Robert Pradolin, Thursday, 18th July 2019 - If we aspire to be an innovative, multicultural and inclusive society, we must provide housing for all, rich or poor, writes Robert Pradolin, in this article making the case for recognising housing as key economic infrastructure.

Opinion

Hey – look over here!

David Crosbie, Wednesday, 17th July 2019 - Charities are too important to be relegated to the bottom of the government priorities pile, writes Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie, reflecting on Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s first major public speech as head of the newly-elected government.

The long path to a treaty in Qld begins. But what’s the first step?

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 17th July 2019 - Indigenous community organisations and leaders are waiting for answers from the Queensland government on what exactly the pathway to a treaty will look like, following a historic pledge by the state government.

Let’s talk about racism

Wendy Williams, Wednesday, 17th July 2019 - How does race shape our lives? What does racism look like? What can we do to address it?

Wealth inequality on the rise in Australia

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 17th July 2019 - Average household wealth in Australia has risen above $1 million, but community groups warn this comes at a time of widening economic inequality, with the wealth of low-income earners falling by almost 10 per cent.

Environment groups tell shoppers to reject return of plastic Little Shop

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 17th July 2019 - Conservation groups are urging consumers to fight back against the relaunch of a Coles promotion which saw millions of small plastic toys given away for free.

Stories behind the payments: Week of action hopes to raise the rate

Maggie Coggan, Tuesday, 16th July 2019 - Bev’s life goal is to complete her bachelor’s degree in social sciences and psychology. But as a single mother surviving on Newstart payments, that dream often feels very far away.

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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.

Meet the woman who spent 22 months applying for the Disability Support Pension

Who earns the most in the social sector… and why?

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 10th July 2019 - CEOs in aged care and disability are taking home the biggest pay packets as the sectors try to remain competitive and efficient, Pro Bono Australia’s 2019 Salary Survey reveals.

‘It is time for the NDIS to catch up’: Disability advocates call to fund access to sex work

Luke Michael, Friday, 12th July 2019 - Advocacy groups are calling for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to offer funding for sex work services after a person with a disability won the right to have a sex therapist paid for by the scheme.

Let’s talk about racism

Wendy Williams, Wednesday, 17th July 2019 - How does race shape our lives? What does racism look like? What can we do to address it?

The one-handed drummer who found his perfect partner

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 9th July 2019 - It had been nine years since drummer Bryan Carey had last performed on stage. But playing his first gig since being diagnosed with a brain tumour, he felt completely at home.

Opinion

The reality of the regional NDIS

Fran Connelley, Monday, 15th July 2019 - Fran Connelley shares stories from a recent trip to central Queensland that highlight some of the NDIS-related challenges people with disabilities and service providers are facing in regional and rural Australia.

Disabilities community's fury over single-plastic ban

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 10th July 2019 - For people with disability who struggle to eat or drink with their hands, a plastic straw is a life saver.

Careers Blog

To cover or not to cover…

Marilyn Jones, Monday, 15th July 2019 - Experienced recruiter Marilyn Jones offers job seekers some advice on the do’s and don'ts of a great cover letter.

Philanthropists changing the face of Australia recognised in top awards

Maggie Coggan, Tuesday, 23rd July 2019 - Art dealer and philanthropist Phillip Bacon AM has taken home this year’s top Australian Philanthropy Award for his contributions to the arts.

Sponsored

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.

Stories behind the payments: Week of action hopes to raise the rate

Indigenous excellence celebrated at 2019 National NAIDOC Awards

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 10th July 2019 - An Indigenous educator who has spent almost two decades boosting the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with qualifications has been named National NAIDOC Person of the Year.

Environment groups tell shoppers to reject return of plastic Little Shop

Australia joins international effort to curb ‘deplorable abuses’ in the aid sector

Luke Michael, Monday, 15th July 2019 - Almost 30 countries including Australia have agreed to hold themselves accountable for tackling sexual abuse in the aid sector with the signing of new international standards.

Doco of the month: The Leunig Fragments

Wendy Williams, Tuesday, 9th July 2019 - Who is Michael Leunig? Wendy Williams talks to Kasimir Burgess about his new film The Leunig Fragments and why despite being at the centre of the doco the famous cartoonist remains as elusive as ever, as part of a series profiling powerful documentaries in partnership with Documentary Australia Foundation.

‘Too important to get wrong’: Government pushes for Indigenous constitutional recognition

Luke Michael, Thursday, 11th July 2019 - The Morrison government’s plan for Indigenous recognition in the constitution has won community sector support, but conservative forces within the Coalition are threatening to derail the proposal.

Analysis

Case Study: Assessing the impact of an impact investment

Geoff Mulgan, Wednesday, 10th July 2019 - Can tutors help children improve their maths? The Nesta Impact Investment team supported Third Space Learning to undertake a randomised controlled trial and process evaluation to assess whether supporting children’s learning with a tutor made a difference, writes Nesta CEO Geoff Mulgan as part of a series of case studies highlighting different ap

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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.

Wealth inequality on the rise in Australia

How to support mental health in your workplace

Decades of progress will be undone by climate change, UN warns

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 15th July 2019 - Climate change and increasing inequality are quickly reversing any progress made on the Sustainable Development Goals over the last decade, a new UN report warns.

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.

Opinion

Career change mindset hacks: The power of small actions

Changemaker

Stepping back to step up as a leader

Sponsored

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

Sponsored

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

Sponsored

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

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.

The one-handed drummer who found his perfect partner

Doco of the month: The Leunig Fragments

Changemaker

Making your donation count

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 8th July 2019 - As the newly-appointed CEO of GIVIT, Sarah Tennant is looking to take the online platform that connects those who have with those in need, to the next level. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

Spotlight

Get a good night’s sleep and tackle homelessness

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 3rd July 2019 - Each night in Australia, 49,000 women are without a secure and safe place to sleep. It’s a problem that Laura and David Conti are trying to solve through their ethical bedding and bathroom enterprise, writes Maggie Coggan in this month’s Spotlight on Social Enterprise.

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One why at a time

Contributor, Tuesday, 2nd July 2019 - Sarah Powell is the founder of Champions Academy and a 2019 Westpac Social Change Fellow. Here she shares insights into her fellowship experience and how it has helped her stay true to her why.

Sponsored

$1 million of free tram advertising up for grabs

Contributor, Tuesday, 2nd July 2019 - Australian charities and not for profits have the chance to decorate some of Melbourne’s iconic trams, with $1 million of free advertising up for grabs.

Changemaker

Meet the man tackling homelessness and re-defining how charities do business

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 1st July 2019 - Ian Cox is the CEO of the Hutt St Centre, a frontline homelessness support service running some of the most cutting-edge programs to end homelessness in Australia. He’s this week’s Changemaker.

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How volunteering developed Lachlan’s career

Contributor, Monday, 1st July 2019 - Sydney-based construction manager Lachlan James spent two years in the Philippines working with a human rights NGO, where he learnt the skills to take his career in a new exciting direction. Here he shares how his volunteering experience brought him closer to his career goal.

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Making your government engagement happen – The doing thing

Jo Scard, Thursday, 27th June 2019 - Jo Scard offers advice on the “doing bits” of making your government engagement happen.

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Matchmaker – Connecting surplus to need

Contributor, Tuesday, 25th June 2019 - Ingenuity, innovation and a dash of creativity is helping lift up thousands of Australians in need and stretch not for profit’s budgets further.

Changemaker

Leading the next generation of philanthropists and changemakers

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 24th June 2019 - Sarah Wade is the CEO of Kids in Philanthropy, an organisation equipping the next generation with the skills to be changemakers, and making philanthropy accessible for all. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

Changemaker

Make money, make impact

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 17th June 2019 - As the co-founder of Impact Generation Partners and co-chair of Philanthropy Australia, Amanda Miller is bringing business, private investors and social entrepreneurs together to use finance for good. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

Sponsored

Partnerships are the key to a thriving civil society

Andrew Cairns, Thursday, 13th June 2019 - Our communities are better when they bind together with a common purpose and common values, writes Andrew Cairns, CEO of Community Sector Banking.

Sponsored

Government engagement – recalibrate and start with the vision

Jo Scard, Thursday, 13th June 2019 - Now is the time for the sector to regroup and set some goals for a new government engagement strategy, writes Fifty Acres founder and CEO Jo Scard.

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Lessons from the banking royal commission for the NFP sector

Contributor, Tuesday, 11th June 2019 - The findings from the Hayne Report have something for all organisations to learn from, writes Nick Walker from HLB Mann Judd Melbourne.

Changemaker

“If I can help, I will”: The mum that turned tragedy into helping the vulnerable

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 10th June 2019 - Fatma Elzein, the founder of Mummies Paying it Forward, has built up a powerhouse charity and volunteer network that delivers every day essential items to the people who need them most. She’s this week’s Changemaker.

Spotlight

Brewing coffee with impact

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 5th June 2019 - Matt and Whitney Teluk are self-confessed coffee snobs. They are also passionate about breaking down education barriers for primary school kids in Tanzania, so they started selling coffee to fund their impact work, writes Maggie Coggan in this month’s Spotlight on Social Enterprise.

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The age of ‘business on purpose’

Contributor, Tuesday, 4th June 2019 - The upcoming Shared Value Summit promises to unpack the connection between purpose and shared value, and looks at how profit with purpose is set to become the norm.

Changemaker

Switching off in schools could be the key to success

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 3rd June 2019 - Nicola Bone is leading a silent revolution in schools across Queensland, setting young people up for a more focused and anxiety-free school day through meditation and mindfulness training. She’s this week’s Changemaker.