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Changemaker: Standing up and Speaking Out on a Broken System

Opinion

Reflections on the Electoral Bill Debate

Krystian Seibert, Tuesday, 20th November 2018 - Krystian Seibert reflects on the foreign donations bill that recently passed the Senate, and explains how a reasonable and sensible policy outcome was achieved.

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The Election Countdown is on, Time to Get Your Voice Heard

Jo Scard, Tuesday, 20th November 2018 - Fifty Acres founder and managing director Jo Scard offers her tips to ensure not for profits get their voices heard before the next federal election.

Federal Government Under Fire Over Funding Allocations

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 19th November 2018 - The peak body for Western Australian social services has lashed out at the federal government for cutting funding to domestic and family violence programs in the state, saying it’s because domestic violence is not the headline issue.

Around the World

Lack of Toilets Putting Half a Billion Children in Danger

Luke Michael, Monday, 19th November 2018 - The health and education of 620 million children around the world is being threatened by a lack of decent toilets, new research warns.

The Hidden Suffering of Women Sleeping Rough Revealed

Luke Michael, Monday, 19th November 2018 - Australian women sleeping rough are suffering significantly higher rates of serious medical conditions like cancer, diabetes and asthma compared to male rough sleepers, according to a new report.

Disability Sector Remains Suspicious Over Employment Taskforce

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 19th November 2018 - The federal government has unveiled a joint employment taskforce to tackle high rates of disability unemployment, but service providers have raised concerns about whether enough is being done to include people with disability in open employment opportunities.

Changemaker

Standing up and Speaking Out on a Broken System

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 19th November 2018 - Anthony Kelly is executive officer of the Police Accountability Project – an initiative run out of the Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Centre – which provides legal aid to the vulnerable, and works to overhaul a broken system of policing. He is this week’s Changemaker.

Ask Adam

The Many Faces of Depression

Adam Blanch, Monday, 19th November 2018 - Psychologist Adam Blanch offers advice to someone suffering depression, and says while it feels horrible, it may not be the real problem, but rather the way our body is trying to solve it.

Charities Welcome Foreign Donation Bill’s Passage Through Senate

Luke Michael, Friday, 16th November 2018 - The charity sector is celebrating the passing of the foreign donations bill through the Senate, after the federal government amended the bill to protect charitable advocacy.

Helping Australia’s Lonely People

Luke Michael, Thursday, 15th November 2018 - Community groups say Australia needs a national strategy to tackle loneliness as a public health priority, as new research reveals lonely Australians are suffering significant physical and mental health issues.

My Health Record Opt-out Hard For People With Disability

Maggie Coggan, Thursday, 15th November 2018 - The opt-out period for My Health Record is being extended until the end of January, but disability advocates say more resources are needed to help people with disability make an informed decision.

Analysis

Why do People Really Become Homeless?

Contributor, Wednesday, 14th November 2018 - While the majority of the general public thinks drug addiction is the main reason for homelessness, the reality is quite different, writes Dr Julie Moschion, in this article first published in Pursuit.

Opinion

Why People With Disability are Challenging the Exclusivity of Academic-led Research

Contributor, Wednesday, 14th November 2018 - Disability research has historically not been driven by the needs of the disability community, writes Kate Finch from People with Disability Australia, who explains why disability-led research is vital for people with disability to tell their own stories.

Federal Government Urged to Address Affordable Housing Gap

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 14th November 2018 - The federal government is being urged to address a critical looming gap in affordable housing that advocates say threatens to push thousands into homelessness.

NSW Groups Fear Second Stolen Generation Over Adoption Reforms

Maggie Coggan, Tuesday, 13th November 2018 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal and community groups fear a bill reforming child protection and adoption laws in New South Wales will sever Indigenous children's connection to culture, and result in a second stolen generation.

Tackling Entrenched Disadvantage With Impact Investing

Luke Michael, Tuesday, 13th November 2018 - Australia’s growing impact investment market can help deliver better results in areas such as disability services and homelessness, but proactive leadership is needed for the industry to reach its potential, according to a new blueprint for collective action.

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Early Bird Tickets Now Available For ‘Transform 2019’ in Melbourne

Contributor, Tuesday, 13th November 2018 - Connecting Up is encouraging everyone to attend Australia’s premier not-for-profit technology conference, which is designed to help the NFP sector gain the knowledge, skills and products required to continue meeting the needs of the people it serves.

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True Digital Transformation – The Only Way to Future-proof Your Charity

Contributor, Tuesday, 13th November 2018 - Aaron Diviniti from One Tree Community Services explains why digital transformation is so important for charities and community groups, and offers advice for organisations looking to transform their digital capabilities.

White Ribbon CEO Puts Hasty Departure Down to Culture Clash

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 12th November 2018 - Weeks after removing a statement supporting women’s reproductive rights from the website of anti-domestic violence group White Ribbon, the newly ousted CEO says she was forced to step down over conflicting ideas of leadership.

Government Backtracks on Cuts to Food Relief Charity

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 12th November 2018 - The federal government has reversed funding cuts to Australia’s largest food charity, following a severe backlash from the sector and the wider public.

Disability Groups Cautious Over NDIS Independent Assessment Pilot

Luke Michael, Monday, 12th November 2018 - Disability advocates say they will be closely watching an independent assessments trial to ensure it achieves its stated aims of fairer access and planning decisions for National Disability Insurance Scheme participants, rather than reducing access to the scheme.

Analysis

IT Measures to Accommodate the Notifiable Data Breach Scheme

Ian Patterson, Monday, 12th November 2018 - IT strategy expert Ian Patterson outlines a number of IT measures not for profits can take to prevent sensitive data breaches from occurring, and offers his tips for organisations to accurately detect and respond to data breaches.

Around the World

UK Education Charity Forced Into Closure

Luke Michael, Monday, 12th November 2018 - A UK education charity has been forced to close its doors after failing to recover from a substantial government funding cut.

White Ribbon CEO Puts Hasty Departure Down to Culture Clash

Government Backtracks on Cuts to Food Relief Charity

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 12th November 2018 - The federal government has reversed funding cuts to Australia’s largest food charity, following a severe backlash from the sector and the wider public.

Disability Groups Cautious Over NDIS Independent Assessment Pilot

Analysis

Why do People Really Become Homeless?

Federal Government Urged to Address Affordable Housing Gap

Tackling Entrenched Disadvantage With Impact Investing

Disability Sector Remains Suspicious Over Employment Taskforce

Drought Charities Welcome ACNC Probe Following Online Abuse

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 7th November 2018 - The two drought relief charities at the centre of a charity watchdog inquiry say they are confident the millions of dollars donated to vulnerable farmers are being managed appropriately.

My Health Record Opt-out Hard For People With Disability

Helping Australia’s Lonely People

Opinion

Why People With Disability are Challenging the Exclusivity of Academic-led Research

The Hidden Suffering of Women Sleeping Rough Revealed

Sponsored

Okay People, Buckle Up – Are We Heading For a January Election?

Jo Scard, Tuesday, 6th November 2018 - With an early federal election possibly just around the corner, Fifty Acres founder and managing director Jo Scard says not for profits need to take action now to put their organisation in a strong position whatever the outcome.

Charities Welcome Foreign Donation Bill’s Passage Through Senate

Opinion

Hyper-Partisan Politics, the Public Service and Charities

David Crosbie, Thursday, 8th November 2018 - Hyper-partisan politics is ramping up the pressure on charities, according to Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie, who explains how charities can influence policy for public benefit without betraying their own ethics.

Analysis

IT Measures to Accommodate the Notifiable Data Breach Scheme

Foreign Aid Sector Stretched Thin Over PM Promise

Maggie Coggan, Thursday, 8th November 2018 - Members of Australia’s foreign aid sector have welcomed a promise by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to funnel money into Pacific regions, but say the foreign aid budget needs to be increased significantly.

NSW Groups Fear Second Stolen Generation Over Adoption Reforms

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True Digital Transformation – The Only Way to Future-proof Your Charity

Pro Bono Australia Launches 2019 Salary Survey

Luke Michael, Thursday, 8th November 2018 - For the seventh consecutive year Pro Bono Australia is calling on not-for-profit executives and managers to take part in the sector’s largest benchmarking salary survey.

Shaping Job Interviews to Build Diversity May Be a Game Changer

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 7th November 2018 - Building a lego robot is not a usual prerequisite for a career in IT. But for Peter Middleton, a job interview specifically designed to showcase the unique skills and abilities of people with autism has landed him a dream job with the Australian Tax Office.

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Early Bird Tickets Now Available For ‘Transform 2019’ in Melbourne

$14.2 Million SIB Focuses on Housing Young People

Luke Michael, Wednesday, 7th November 2018 - Australia’s largest social impact bond will provide $6 million of stable housing for young people leaving care to prevent them falling into homelessness.

Sponsored

The Election Countdown is on, Time to Get Your Voice Heard

Jo Scard, Tuesday, 20th November 2018 - Fifty Acres founder and managing director Jo Scard offers her tips to ensure not for profits get their voices heard before the next federal election.

Changemaker

Standing up and Speaking Out on a Broken System

Sponsored

Early Bird Tickets Now Available For ‘Transform 2019’ in Melbourne

Sponsored

True Digital Transformation – The Only Way to Future-proof Your Charity

Changemaker

Closing the Eye Health Gap

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 12th November 2018 - Professor Hugh Taylor AC is the founder of Indigenous Eye Health at Melbourne University, and is fighting to close the gap of preventable blindness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by 2020. He is this week’s Changemaker.

Sponsored

Vollie Presents the Rotary Youth Forum 2019

Ellie Nikakis, Thursday, 8th November 2018 - In 2019, the Victorian Rotary Club is shaking things up for young people who want to make a difference, writes Ellie Nikakis from Vollie.

Spotlight

A Practical Impact, Period.

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 7th November 2018 - Tampons and pads make getting your period a whole lot easier. But a lot of them aren’t that great for the environment, or accessible to everyone. Rozalyn Campbell, founder of Tsuno, is trying to change that however, writes Maggie Coggan in this month’s Spotlight on Social Enterprise.

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Okay People, Buckle Up – Are We Heading For a January Election?

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Carer KaFE Seeks Expressions of Interest For 2019

Contributor, Tuesday, 6th November 2018 - In order to increase learning and development opportunities for kinship and foster carers across Victoria, Carer KaFE is seeking expressions of interests from training providers for 2019.

Changemaker

Farming For a Better Future

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 5th November 2018 - Anika Molesworth is not your ordinary farmer. Founder of Climate Wise Agriculture, and board member of Farmers for Climate Action, she’s on a mission to change the future of farming through sustainable practices, and fighting the endless battle making people take climate change seriously. She’s this week’s changemaker.

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In Five Minutes, Learn About the NDIS Audit Process

Bruce Nixon, Tuesday, 30th October 2018 - Registration and renewal can be a daunting process for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, writes Centro ASSIST CEO Bruce Nixon, who offers his tips for navigating your NDIS audit.

Changemaker

Gambling: A Few Bad Choices or a Rotten Industry?

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 29th October 2018 - Tony Mohr is the executive director of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a coalition of 80 different local councils, not for profits, and community groups, fiercely fighting for an overhaul of the gambling industry.

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Documentary Australia Foundation Celebrates Ten Years of Storytelling For Social Impact

Contributor, Thursday, 25th October 2018 - As Documentary Australia Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, it wants to collaborate with the not-for-profit sector to help NFPs use storytelling to achieve their aims and objectives.

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Equipping Young People For the Digital World

Contributor, Tuesday, 23rd October 2018 - In today’s digital age, where young and old people alike are always “online”, Optus’ Digital Thumbprint program is there to support digital citizenship for young people so they can engage positively in the digital world.

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The Adoption of New Accounting Standards: The Financial Report Users’ Perspective

Contributor, Tuesday, 23rd October 2018 - With Australian financial reporting poised for significant upheaval, Nick Walker, partner in audit and assurance at HLB Mann Judd, explains what the introduction of new accounting standards means from a financial report user’s perspective.

Changemaker

Power In the Hands Of the Community

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 22nd October 2018 - Jarra Hicks is co-founder of Community Power Agency, a not for profit with a vision of putting the power back in the hands of the community. She is is this week’s Changemaker.

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TITAN Offers NFPs the Chance to Win Free New Website Build

Contributor, Thursday, 18th October 2018 - The Institute of Technology for Australia and New Zealand (TITAN) has launched an innovative Website Build and Match Fund Grant, giving charities the chance to apply for a free new website build and receive tailored guidance and support from a diverse team of professionals.

Changemaker

Turning Young Men into Top Blokes

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 15th October 2018 - Melissa Abu-Gazaleh is CEO of the Top Blokes Foundation, an organisation that helps young men become positive role models and make healthy choices for their future. She is this week’s Changemaker.

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‘Transform’ Conference Line-up First Look

Contributor, Thursday, 11th October 2018 - A number of world-class experts have been locked in for the Connecting Up Conference at Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre next May.

Making Tourism More Inclusive For All

Luke Michael, Monday, 8th October 2018 - When Martin Heng travels overseas as a person with disability, he needs to find an accessible hotel room, work out if public transport is wheelchair-friendly, and accept some shops and restaurants will be nearly impossible to enter.

Changemaker

Dentistry for a Cause

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 8th October 2018 - Dr Sonia Sonia is not your typical dentist, volunteering and now starting her own charity putting her professional skills to use to help those affected by family violence. She is this week’s Changemaker.

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The Major Challenge of Impact Measurement

Andrew Cairns, Thursday, 4th October 2018 - The rise of impact measurement is making the playing field for funding increasingly unfair, writes Andrew Cairns, CEO of Community Sector Banking, which has partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to build a free Social Impact Measurement Toolbox.

Spotlight

Buy a Dress, Buy Empowerment

Maggie Coggan, Wednesday, 3rd October 2018 - In this month’s Spotlight on Social Enterprise, Maggie McGowan talks to Pro Bono News about Magpie Goose, a loud, funky fashion brand she co-founded hoping to share Aboriginal stories and empower remote communities.

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Macquarie Group Launches $50M Award to Mark 50th Anniversary

Contributor, Tuesday, 2nd October 2018 - Macquarie Group has announced the Macquarie 50th Anniversary Award, a $50 million philanthropic commitment, to initiate or build on bold ideas to address social need.

Changemaker

Changes From the Ground Up

Maggie Coggan, Monday, 1st October 2018 - Shukufa Tahiri is a former refugee, policy officer at the Refugee Council of Australia and founder of several grassroot organisations that work to empower migrant women. She is this week’s Changemaker.