With the end of year upon us, we are thrilled to share Australian Communities Foundation’s latest Annual Report.
In my first six months at Australian Communities Foundation, it has been an absolute privilege to get to know our vibrant giving community and hear from many of you about the causes you hold dear.
I love the role that ACF plays in making strategic philanthropy accessible. It’s what drew me to the organisation and it’s what stands out as I look back on this year of transitions. Throughout it all, we have made significant progress on our commitment to more accessible philanthropy across Australia. Key highlights include:
- Increased national activity: We hosted over 30 events across Australia this year, including new opportunities for our community to come together and share insights in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
- More accessible Named Funds: In July 2024, we reduced our minimum Fund balance by half – from $20,000 to $10,000.
- Streamlined granting processes: Our Philanthropy Team has done some great work simplifying processes this year, easing the administrative burden often placed on grantees so they can focus on their vital work.
This report covers the 15-month period from July 2023 to September 2024, marking the transition to the organisation’s regular reporting cycle.
During this time, our giving community distributed $39.6 million through more than 1,800 grants to support over 1,000 organisations and individuals across Australia. As Australia’s largest community of everyday philanthropists, our average grant for the year was $5,000.
In its eighth year, the Impact Fund has grown in influence and scope, bringing together hundreds of funders who collectively contributed $2.5 million this year to address some of Australia’s most pressing challenges. In a highlight from the year, the Foundation won its fifth Australian Philanthropy Award, taking out the 2024 Collaboration Award for First Nations-led Impact Fund program, Voices for Impact. We are grateful to our partners in this initiative, Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition, GetUp and Australian Progress.
Another highlight has been the continued growth of our ACF Advisory services, including the design and delivery of a bespoke giving model for Koda Capital.
Lastly, I extend a very warm welcome to the 130+ Funds and Foundations who joined our community this year, spanning families and individuals, workplaces, non-profits, collective giving groups and more.
At ACF, our community gives at all scales, but we are all part of the philanthropic ecosystem and united by our desire to make a difference. As we enter the final stage of our 2023-25 strategy, I look forward to what is set to be another year of inspiring impact on our journey towards a fairer and more sustainable future.