This CEO letter accompanied the July 2026 edition of Quarterly Granting Advice.
The challenges facing Australian communities continue to evolve, and so too must our approaches to philanthropy. That doesn’t necessarily always mean giving more. Often, it means giving more thoughtfully, being willing to reflect on our practices, learn from others, and regularly ask how our resources can create the greatest possible impact.
One example of this kind of learning comes from Breaking the Mold, a new report from the US-based Center for Effective Philanthropy examining the impact of MacKenzie Scott’s approach to giving. While the scale of Scott’s giving naturally captures attention, the report’s real value lies in what it teaches us about trust, flexibility, and long-term partnership. Read a recent reflection from our Director of Community and Philanthropy, Carly Severino, on the report’s key takeaways and how they can help all of us become more thoughtful and effective in our giving.
Shared learning has always been central to Australian Communities Foundation’s approach, and we’re looking forward to connecting with our giving community at various events in the coming months. Across New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria, our upcoming Fund Forums will bring together Fundholders to explore local issues and strengthen approaches to giving.
The next webinar in our Impact Fund 2026 program, Amplifying Your Giving with Strategy, is coming up on Thursday 6 August. Join this peer learning session to gain practical insights for developing a more focused and effective giving strategy.
This month’s newsletter also includes a new set of granting recommendations curated by our Philanthropy Team. Prompted by the ongoing challenges of the cost-of-living crisis, you’ll find recommendations that address Housing and Homelessness from crisis response and prevention to affordable housing and policy reform. This list sits alongside a quarterly round-up of granting inspiration for organisations working across First Nations Self-Determination, Democracy, and Environment. Drawing on sector knowledge and relationships across the community, each of the selected organisations represent a range of approaches, issue areas, and regions – offering practical inspiration for Fundholders considering where their support could make a difference.
Our team will be at this year’s Philanthropy Australia Conference in both attendance and facilitation over the course of the week. We’ll be kicking off the conference on Monday morning with a masterclass, The Power of Structure, co-hosted with Generous You. The session is designed for philanthropists and advisors alike, offering practical guidance on choosing and using philanthropic structures to support your giving journey. During the main conference, we will also be speaking on a panel about the new Community Charity, the first new philanthropic structure in Australia in 20 years.
A spirit of learning is also reflected in Philanthropy Australia’s recently released report exploring the power and potential of collective giving in Australia. The report highlights a growing recognition that collaboration can unlock greater impact – not only by pooling resources, but by bringing together diverse perspectives, shared expertise, and a common sense of purpose.
These elements similarly shaped the recent evolution of our own Impact Fund and the establishment of its Community Advisory Group. In this month’s Impact Fund Notes, Laura Mannix reflects on some of the practical lessons that emerged when placing community voices at the centre of funding decisions. These insights extend well beyond the Impact Fund and collective giving, offering practical considerations for anyone interested in making more informed giving decisions.
Finally, I’m delighted to welcome John Palermo to the Australian Communities Foundation Board. A Chartered Accountant based in Western Australia, John brings more than 25 years of experience advising businesses, families, and purpose-driven organisations.
Thank you, as always, for being part of this community and contributing to a culture of learning and collective impact.
Cheers,
Andrew Binns
CEO, Australian Communities Foundation
