Philanthropy Australia

Community Foundations Gateway

Philanthropy Australia Membership

Philanthropy Australia is the national peak body for the philanthropic sector, representing the interests of grantmaking private, family, corporate and community trusts, foundations and individuals.

Its mission is to represent and support the philanthropic sector and influence and engage in public policy, which will result in a benefit to its members and society at large.

It works to improve public understanding and recognition of the relationship between philanthropy and the well being of the community.

Its goals include servicing and educating members and the broader philanthropic sector, and raising the profile of philanthropy through advocacy and public policy debate.

Philanthropy Australia is committed to the growth and development of community foundations around Australia. To this end, we have introduced a special membership rate for community foundations which reflects the early stage at which most community foundations in Australia currently operate.

Recent activities of Philanthropy Australia in support of community foundations include:

  • Employment of Andrew Lawson, Development Officer, who advises and supports community foundations in the developmental stages;
  • Development of the Community Foundations Gateway on the Philanthropy Australia website;

  • Initiation of the community foundations committee of Philanthropy Australia, whose members are staff and trustees of community foundations from all over Australia;

  • (With The Foundation For Rural And Regional Renewal, FRRR) Production of the Community Foundation Kit and 2004 update inserts;

  • Production of a generic promotional brochure for community foundations to use with their communities;

  • The establishment of an e-mail listserv to network community foundations around the country and to enhance the flow of information;

  • (With FRRR) The presentation of three regional forums for community foundations in 2005 around Australia;

  • Preparation of a detailed submission to the Commonwealth Government, Overcoming Legal And Regulatory Barriers Facing Community Foundations, the effect of which would be to reduce the legal complexities facing community foundations. The submission is now being reviewed by the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership;

  • With FRRR and Freehills, liaison with the Australian Taxation Office, seeking a review of its restrictive attitude to donor-advised funds and how these may be referred to in marketing materials. The draft determination TD 2003/D16, published in October 2003 will allow foundations to market and administer donor-advised funds with confidence.

What are the benefits that your community foundation can access by becoming a member of Philanthropy Australia?

Go here for a list of Australian community foundations that are Members of Philanthropy Australia.

By joining the peak body for the philanthropic sector, your community foundation demonstrates its commitment to strengthening and growing the sector.

If you require any further information on membership, please contact Philanthropy Australia.

Community Foundations Committee of Philanthropy Australia

Philanthropy Australia has established a Community Foundations Committee. The committee’s task is to help set the policy and strategic direction of services and activities designed to support Australian community foundations.

The committee members are:

  • Roy Blight, Chief Executive Officer, Barossa Light Development Inc.
  • David James, Trustee, Ballarat Foundation
  • Katherine Clarke, Executive Officer, The Southern Highlands Community Foundation
  • Louise Brown, Administrator, Mumbulla Community Foundation
  • Scott Marshall, Executive Officer, Tasmanian Community Foundation

  • Royce Pepin, Board Member, Geelong Community Foundation

Philanthropy Australia Council members represented on the committee are:

  • This position currently in the process of being filled.

Also joining the committee are:

  • Sylvia Admans, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
  • Catherine Brown, Catherine Brown and Associates

Members meet quarterly by teleconference and serve for a two year term. The agenda and minutes of committee meetings are circulated to community foundations and posted on the Community Foundations Gateway of the Philanthropy Australia website. We are seeking input from all Australian community foundations about items placed on the committee’s agenda.

Click here for the minutes of the June 22, 2005 meeting (MS Word format)