News Shorts: New national disadvantage centre and loans for female-focused enterprises

A wrap of key news items you need to know this month.

Over 500 charities lose registration

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has revoked the registration of over 550 charities in the past month, after they repeatedly failed to complete annual reporting to the regulator. Many of the deregistered charities had either wound up or merged with another organisation, said acting commissioner Deborah Jenkins, adding that revoked charities can re-apply for registration.

Newly established national centre to address disadvantage

A new National Centre for Place-Based Collaboration will explore and enhance community-led solutions to address complex social problems and entrenched disadvantage. It will provide resources to Australian communities engaging in place-based approaches and support Closing the Gap priority reforms.

The federal government has allocated $2.5 million to a consortium comprising the University of Queensland, the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and non-profit Collaboration for Impact to lead foundational work, with the aim to have the centre operational by early 2025.

$450,000 health partnership in Canberra

Medical non-profit John James Foundation (JJF) will award $150,000 per year over the next three years to Make-A-Wish Australia, increasing the capacity and delivery of life-changing wishes for sick children in the ACT. The almost half a million dollar partnership is the first of its kind for JJF and aims to strengthen health outcomes in the Canberra community.

New grants aim to fill gender funding gap

Small to medium enterprises focused on empowering women through ownership, leadership and employment are encouraged to apply for IIX Growth Fund’s Loan Facility. The loans aim to scale impact and are tailored to financial needs and capabilities. Enterprises must operate from south or southeast Asia and have a strong positive social or environmental impact, among other eligibility criteria.

Inaugural pacific youth leadership summit

Young leaders aged 22 to 35 from Australia and the Pacific joined together to discuss key development priorities for their communities at the first ever Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit. Part of the four-day summit involved delegates meeting with Australian MPs, where they discussed key topics including climate change, education, youth unemployment, access to water and sanitation, self-determination and inclusion.