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Spotlight: The Purr-fect Social Enterprise

Changemaker: A Celebration of Diversity

Printing A Solution to the World’s Biggest Problems

Grants for Innovation in Human Rights are Now Open

Rachel McFadden, Thursday, 25th May 2017 - Applications are now open for Amnesty International Australia’s Human Rights Innovation Fund.

Proposed Changes to HECS/HELP Repayment Will Be Particularly Harsh on Women

Rachel McFadden, Thursday, 25th May 2017 - Female graduates earning $50,000 could have less disposable income than someone earning $32,000 under the proposed changes in the 2017 budget, a new report has revealed.

Opinion

Advocacy, Politics and Mowing the Lawn

David Crosbie, Thursday, 25th May 2017 - Charities in Australia currently enjoy some of the strongest legal protections in the world to engage in advocacy, but we should never take these protections for granted, writes David Crosbie, CEO of the Community Council for Australia (CCA).

Indigenous People Worse Off 20 Years After the Bringing Them Home Report

Rachel McFadden, Thursday, 25th May 2017 - It has been two decades since the landmark Bringing Them Home report shone a light on the stolen generation and paved the way for reconciliation, but Indigenous leaders, child welfare agencies and human right organisations say Indigenous Australians, today, are worse off.

NDIS Not Focused on Inequities

Wendy Williams, Thursday, 25th May 2017 - The National Disability Insurance Scheme is not living up to expectations and may even be exacerbating the inequities it was designed to solve, according to a new report.

Opinion

Embracing Philanthropy’s Quirks

Fiona Higgins, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - If we can acknowledge the quirks of philanthropy, rather than mourn an idealised notion of how it “should” behave, then we can get on with the business of pragmatic philanthropy, writes Fiona Higgins, senior manager, grantmaking and evaluation at Australian Philanthropic Services.

Indigenous Leaders Meet to Form a United Front on Constitutional Recognition

Rachel McFadden, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - In a historic milestone more than 250 Indigenous leaders from across the country are meeting with the intention to reach a consensus on constitutional reform.

More Schools Turning to Philanthropy For Support

Lina Caneva, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - An increasing number of disadvantaged Australian schools are seeking financial support from philanthropic sources, according to a new not-for-profit analysis.

Homelessness Reflects Complex Life Circumstances and Poor Health – Study

Lina Caneva, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - High levels of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic physical conditions, and poor social supports are common characteristics of those experiencing chronic homelessness, according to new not-for-profit research.

Opinion

NDIS – Not Fit for Purpose

Vern Hughes, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - In terms of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), it is hard to conceive of an organisational structure and business model that could be less fit for purpose, writes civil society campaigner Vern Hughes.

Opinion

The NDIS Has Teething Problems That Must Be Addressed

Rachel Siewert, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - Given the National Disability Insurance Scheme has support across the political spectrum there is a reluctance to heavily criticise it despite a parliamentary inquiry which is revealing that the system is beset by major problems, writes WA Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.

Spotlight

The Purr-fect Social Enterprise

Wendy Williams, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - The team behind Western Australia’s very first cat cafe hopes to offer a special blend of animal welfare and human happiness, writes Wendy Williams in this week’s Spotlight on Social Enterprise.

Hot Topic

The True Value of Corporate Volunteering

Naomi Barson, Wednesday, 24th May 2017 - Corporate volunteering programs promise a range of commercial and community benefits. Naomi Barson, marketing manager for GoodCompany, asks top employers about the true value they realise from their volunteering programs.

LEGO Reaches 100% Renewable Energy Target

Rachel McFadden, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - LEGO, the world’s leading children’s toy manufacturer, has reached its 100 per cent renewable energy target three years ahead of schedule.

Charity and Media Company Join Forces to Tackle Negative Stereotypes

Rachel McFadden, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - As part of a commitment to create “smart connections for their communities,” media company Adshel has teamed up with a national welfare group to tackle negative stereotypes of youth unemployment.

Sponsored

Why Should Not for Profits Enter the Premier’s Sustainability Awards?

Contributor, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - New research recently commissioned by Sustainability Victoria shows that over 90 per cent of Victorians want government, business and industry to be involved in environmental projects and to tackle climate change.

Govt ‘Fake Refugee’ Policy Faces Backlash

Wendy Williams, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - The federal government’s “fake refugee” policy, which is calling on asylum seekers to “lodge or leave”, has been met with outrage from the social sector.

Big Thinkers Positive About Social Innovation

Wendy Williams, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - South Australia has a burgeoning startup community of people who want to make money and make an impact, says Allyson Hewitt, the first primary thinker for the new Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program.

Sponsored

Five Legal Steps to Remunerating Not for Profit Directors

Contributor, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - Angela Stackelbeck from Touchpoint Legal unpacks the five key legal steps that should be in place before remunerating not-for-profit directors.

Opinion

Beyond Savings and Towards Meaning

Lisa Grinham, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - Charities need to reclaim their tax narrative this 30 June, writes Lisa Grinham the CEO of Good2Give.

Opinion

Empowering Children to Lead Positive Social Change

Andrea Lemon, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - Children have great capacity to affect the lives of those around them, writes Dr Andrea Lemon, CEO and founding co-director of Kids Thrive.

Australia’s Most Trusted Charity Brand Revealed

Wendy Williams, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - Guide Dogs Australia has once again been named the nation’s most trusted charity.

Forrest Makes Philanthropic History with $400M Donation

Rachel McFadden, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - Australia has received its largest philanthropic donation to date from a living Australian.

Help Shape the Governance of the Social Sector

Rachel McFadden, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) is asking for feedback on the current challenges and opportunities facing the social sector.

Show and Ask App Tackles Workplace Bullying

Wendy Williams, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - A new smartphone app is being developed to help tackle workplace bullying and equip employees with expert assistance at the touch of a button.

Disability Sector Warns of NDIS Staffing Turmoil

Lina Caneva, Wednesday, 17th May 2017 - The disability sector has warned that a high turnover of senior executives managing the National Disability Insurance Scheme could have serious consequences for the scheme’s viability.

Forrest Makes Philanthropic History with $400M Donation

Rachel McFadden, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - Australia has received its largest philanthropic donation to date from a living Australian.

Budget

Treasurer Calls for Heart and Mind Approach to Homelessness

Wendy Williams, Monday, 15th May 2017 - Addressing homelessness needs a heart and mind approach from governments, Treasurer Scott Morrison has told the social sector.

Australian NFPs Becoming More Innovative – Study

Lina Caneva, Thursday, 11th May 2017 - The 2017 GiveEasy Innovation Index has reported a 9 per cent increase in innovation performance by Australian not-for-profit organisations in the last 12 months – with several newcomers topping the list of leading innovators.

NDIS Not Focused on Inequities

Australia’s Most Trusted Charity Brand Revealed

Wendy Williams, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - Guide Dogs Australia has once again been named the nation’s most trusted charity.

Peak Bodies Say Government’s ‘Witch-hunt’ on Single Parents is ‘Archaic’

Rachel McFadden, Monday, 15th May 2017 - Australia's peak bodies for advocating for the rights of single mums have slammed the government's latest amendment to the single parent payment.

Donation Point Taps will be used in Large Scale Fundraising Drive

Rachel McFadden, Friday, 19th May 2017 - In an Australian first, a charity is using Donation Point Taps on a large scale to collect donations.

Budget

Plebiscite ‘Back from the Dead?’

Lina Caneva, Thursday, 11th May 2017 - The allocation of funding in Tuesday’s federal budget for the controversial marriage equality plebiscite – killed off by the Senate last year – has raised eyebrows and concerns among advocacy groups.

Work Stress is a Leading Cause of Absenteeism and Workcover Claims

Rachel McFadden, Monday, 15th May 2017 - As many as one in five Australians have taken time off work in the past 12 months because they have felt stressed, depressed or mentally unhealthy, a new report shows.

Latest Rental Affordability Index is ‘Wake-Up’ Call for Swift Action

Rachel McFadden, Wednesday, 17th May 2017 - Australia is in danger of becoming divided between the rich and the rest, according to the latest Rental Affordability Index (RAI).

Calls to Stop Mum’s Missing Out at Work This Mother’s Day

Wendy Williams, Friday, 12th May 2017 - Organisations are being called on to address the “motherhood penalty” in the workplace.

Moving Impact Investment into the Next Phase

Wendy Williams, Thursday, 18th May 2017 - Impact investing is being primed for growth with the launch of a new forum designed to support the development of the market in Australia and New Zealand.

Show and Ask App Tackles Workplace Bullying

Wendy Williams, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - A new smartphone app is being developed to help tackle workplace bullying and equip employees with expert assistance at the touch of a button.

Community Organisations Look to Philanthropists to Negate Harm from Funding Decline

Rachel McFadden, Wednesday, 17th May 2017 - A group of 59 community leaders and organisations in the northern city of Whittlesea in Victoria is taking the task of bettering its community into its own hands.

Sponsored

How to Measure Impact on a Small Budget

Contributor, Thursday, 11th May 2017 - Social impact measurement is no longer optional for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations and the latest package from Socialsuite can get your started, even on a tight budget.

Big Thinkers Positive About Social Innovation

Hot Topic

Your Culture is at the Heart of Telling Great Volunteer Stories

Richenda Vermeulen, Tuesday, 16th May 2017 - Following Volunteer Week, Richenda Vermeulen, CEO of ntegrity, shares why profiling volunteer stories online at Vinnies has helped them achieve incredible digital results, and how they made it happen.

Budget

Budget Not Preparing Young Australians for Work

Wendy Williams, Friday, 12th May 2017 - The federal budget contained “glaring omissions” for building young Australians’ capabilities to thrive in an increasingly complex world of work, according to the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA).

Govt ‘Fake Refugee’ Policy Faces Backlash

NFP Calls for Asylum Seeker Safety as Manus Set to Close

Wendy Williams, Tuesday, 16th May 2017 - Asylum seekers on Manus Island must be brought to safety, according to not for profits speaking in the wake of reports that the more than 800 men have been told they must leave the Australian-funded detention centre so it can close.

Homelessness Reflects Complex Life Circumstances and Poor Health – Study

Software Start-up and Indigenous Suppliers Team Up for Unique Business

Rachel McFadden, Tuesday, 16th May 2017 - A new online business connecting Indigenous suppliers with corporate and government buyers launched on Tuesday.

Charting 25 Years of Charity Regulation – And its Impact on the Future

Lina Caneva, Thursday, 18th May 2017 - Charity regulators around the world including Australia will have to develop and hone new regulatory tools, driven by fiscal restraints, increasing performance metrics, and new technologies to remain relevant, according to a new book.

Employment-Ready Not for Profit Receives Funding Boost

Rachel McFadden, Thursday, 18th May 2017 - A community organisation which assists women from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain sustainable employment has received a top up from the Victorian government.

Spotlight

The Purr-fect Social Enterprise

Sponsored

Why Should Not for Profits Enter the Premier’s Sustainability Awards?

Sponsored

Five Legal Steps to Remunerating Not for Profit Directors

Contributor, Tuesday, 23rd May 2017 - Angela Stackelbeck from Touchpoint Legal unpacks the five key legal steps that should be in place before remunerating not-for-profit directors.

Changemaker

A Celebration of Diversity

Wendy Williams, Monday, 22nd May 2017 - Ruth McNair is a general practitioner, an associate professor at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne and an advocate for LGBTQI equality. She is this week’s Changemaker.

Sponsored

UCA Funds Management Hosts NFP Budget Overview

Contributor, Wednesday, 17th May 2017 - The second annual post-budget not-for-profit breakfast hosted by UCA Funds Management and event partners produced a combination of insightful comments and more reflective analysis on the health of Australia’s social sector, writes Penny Mulvey, Director, Communications and Media Services at UCA.

Sponsored

Why Retention is as Important as Recruitment

Contributor, Tuesday, 16th May 2017 - With all the work that goes into getting new recruits on board, through the door, and starting in a role, many organisations can fail to dedicate the right amount of time to also ensuring they retain their best, existing talent, according to reference checking, HR and technology experts Xref.

Feature

Printing A Solution to the World’s Biggest Problems

Wendy Williams, Thursday, 11th May 2017 - “You are only limited by your imagination,” says Dr Mazher Mohammed, a research fellow at Deakin University’s School of Engineering, who is heading up a team working to use 3D printing to solve some of the developing world’s biggest problems.

Podcast: Housing the Homeless – The Cause

Wendy Williams, Tuesday, 21st March 2017 - Homelessness is not a choice. But for many it is a reality.

Spotlight

Eradicating the Silent Killer

Ellie Cooper, Wednesday, 15th March 2017 - Two per cent of the population lives with viral hepatitis, but many are unaware until it’s too late, so a social enterprise is upskilling individuals and organisations to respond to the silent pandemic.

Feature

WA NDIS: Comparability Critical for West Success

Alison Blake, Wednesday, 8th March 2017 - Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s state election in Western Australia, there will be continuing close scrutiny of the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in that state.

Spotlight

Brewing a Message in a Can

Ellie Cooper, Wednesday, 1st March 2017 - Young female brewers and winemakers are producing all-natural alcoholic beverages with socially-conscious messages inscribed on the can.

Changemaker

Helping Refugees to Thrive

Wendy Williams, Monday, 27th February 2017 - Mahir Momand is the founding CEO of Thrive, a new microfinance business aimed at helping refugees in Australia. He is this week’s Changemaker.

Podcast: How to Social Enterprise – Scale

Ellie Cooper, Tuesday, 14th February 2017 - Social entrepreneurs may dream of changing the world, but to make a dent in the most pressing social and environmental issues, they need to achieve scale. Find out how in the final episode of our three-part series.

Podcast: How to Social Enterprise – Skills

Ellie Cooper, Tuesday, 7th February 2017 - Find out what it takes to set up and run a social enterprise in the second episode of our three-part podcast series.

Spotlight

Art With Heart Empowers Disadvantaged

Ellie Cooper, Wednesday, 1st February 2017 - Disadvantaged artists, with experiences from homelessness to domestic violence to disability, have been given a platform to sell their work.

Podcast: How to Social Enterprise – Motivations

Ellie Cooper, Tuesday, 31st January 2017 - Have you ever thought about setting up a social enterprise? Find out whether it’s right for you in the first episode of our three-part series.

Changemaker

Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day

Wendy Williams, Monday, 30th January 2017 - Ian Steel OAM is the founder and CEO of KickStart for Kids, a not-for-profit organisation that helps school children achieve positive educational and self-esteem outcomes through breakfast, lunch and mentoring programs.

Feature

Working for the ‘Evolution’ of Australian Philanthropy

Lina Caneva, Thursday, 19th January 2017 - The country’s peak body for donors, Philanthropy Australia, is embarking on a strategic plan which includes a bold new business model around membership and changes to its legal structure while still retaining its core policy and advocacy work. Lina Caneva spoke to CEO Sarah Davies about the changes for 2017 and beyond.

Spotlight

A Fresh Start for Former Offenders

Ellie Cooper, Wednesday, 18th January 2017 - Social enterprise Fruit2work creates second-chance jobs, hiring former offenders to pack and deliver fresh fruit to businesses around Melbourne.

Going Against the Odds in 2016 – Year in Review

Wendy Williams, Thursday, 22nd December 2016 - As we come to the end of year there is a growing consensus on social media that 2016 will be entered into the history books as one of the worst years ever. But this year has also brought it’s share of good news as the social sector has rallied to make a difference amidst the chaos. Wendy Williams takes at a look back at the year and what 2016 mea

Changemaker

Balancing Heart and Head

Wendy Williams, Monday, 19th December 2016 - Dominique Mecoy is the director of client services at Metropolitan Cemeteries board, the chair of Technology Assisting Disability WA and a Leadership Western Australia alumna. She is this week’s Changemaker.

Feature

Data for Social Good

Ellie Cooper, Thursday, 15th December 2016 - A new initiative is connecting not-for-profit organisations with data and data analysts to help them solve social problems and measure their impact.

Executive Insight

Paving the Way for Women in Tech

Ellie Cooper, Wednesday, 14th December 2016 - Cyan Ta’eed co-founded Envato in her parents garage 10 years ago. It has since become a multi-million dollar global marketplace for developers and designers, and Ta’eed a shining light for female entrepreneurs.

Changemaker

Encouraging People to Ask Why

Wendy Williams, Monday, 12th December 2016 - Anita Le Lay is the head of Uniting Disability. She is this week’s Changemaker.

Podcast: Green Nation – Reimagining Climate Change

Ellie Cooper, Thursday, 8th December 2016 - When it comes to climate change action, looking to the next century, while essential, is difficult to do. But in this episode of Not for Podcast we envision a green future and find out what it will take to get there.