Call to Young Aussie Philanthropists

Wealthy young Australians are being urged to get involved in philanthropy early on in their lives to help alleviate the day to day issues around poverty.

The call comes from the Founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Tipping Point Community, Daniel Lurie who will this week address a group of emerging Australian philanthropists at Philanthropy Australia’s inaugural New Generation of Giving event.

The 36-year-old’s message is “don’t wait, get involved now and try to find out where your passions lie whether it be supporting the arts or alleviating poverty”.

Lurie’s organisation, Tipping Point Community, has raised more than $60 million to help educate, employ and house over 250,000 San Francisco residents. Recently, he chaired the bid to bring the 2014 Super Bowl to San Francisco, with a philanthropic focus.

Luries says his own giving started in a family environment and a household that pushed philanthropy as part of the solution to addressing disadvantage.

And now he says the philanthropic establishment needs to make giving more accessible for young philanthropists and not just leave it for the ultra wealthy.

“There is an amazing tradition of philanthropy in the US and in San Francisco we have learned a lot from those who have gone before us but more needs to be done,” he said.

“We need to stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us and improve the philanthropic model.”

Lurie said that in his short time so far in Australia he has learned that Australians are extremely compassionate and generous givers especially when a crisis strikes.

“But there is also a need to make people aware that with one in eight people living in poverty in Australia there is a crisis every day.

“There needs to be strong and sustained philanthropic efforts to address these everyday issues,” Lurie said.

During his Australian visit, Lurie will also discuss how to maximise philanthropic impact and demonstrate return on investment to attract high profile philanthropists, like Google co-founder, Sergey Brin.

There are almost 80 young Australian philanthropists in Philanthropy Australia’s New Gen network including: Michael Gonski, lawyer and son of Future Fund chairman David Gonski; fashion designer Nina Maya Skrzynski and Small Giants CEO Danny Almagor.

Philanthropy Australia’s New Generation of Giving Manager, Caroline Vu said Daniel Lurie’s impressive track record makes him an ideal role model for New Gen members.

“This generation of young philanthropists isn’t content just writing cheques. They want to be engaged in the giving process, using their skills, resources and networks to maximise return on investment,” Vu said.

“New Gen is targeted at people aged 40 years and under who are from family and self-generated wealth.”

Find out more about Daniel Lurie’s visit.