Listening to our giving community is one of the most important ways Australian Communities Foundation continues to grow and strengthen our work.
That’s why, in late 2024, we invited all Fund Advisors to take part in our most in-depth survey to date. The survey responses provided valuable insights into people’s experiences of giving through ACF and the make-up of our growing community.
Here are five key takeaways from the survey:
1. Our community is growing and evolving
Once based primarily in Melbourne, our giving community continues to grow across the country. This year’s survey saw a notable increase in responses from New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia, indicating that more people around the country are choosing ACF as their giving partner.
We’re also seeing a rise in younger givers stepping forward with several new Funds led by people in their 30s and 40s.
“It’s exciting to see our community evolving to better reflect the breadth and diversity of people giving across Australia,” said Andrew Binns, ACF Chief Executive Officer.
“Looking ahead, we’re committed to increasing opportunities for engagement across the country – ensuring that wherever you live, you can feel connected, supported, and inspired to give through ACF.”
“We’re thrilled to see this level of satisfaction and advocacy among our community,” said Andrew Binns. “It reflects the trust our Fundholders place in us to support their giving.”
2. Climate and education are top giving priorities
The survey confirmed what we’ve been seeing through recent grantmaking: environmental and climate challenges are top of mind for our community right now, with education and employment close behind.
Other areas of strong interest include First Nations, housing, health and medical research, and social inclusion.
These insights will help inform how we curate events, develop learning opportunities, and connect Funds to high-impact organisations working across these focus areas.
“It’s clear our giving community is stepping up to face the most urgent challenges of the day,” said Andrew. “Fund Advisors want to support long-term solutions and we’re here to help them do that in thoughtful and strategic ways.”
3. Fundholders value our expertise and our sense of community
When we asked why Fund Advisors chose to open a Fund with ACF, two factors stood out: access to philanthropic expertise and the opportunity to be part of a community of like-minded givers.
Many respondents shared that they feel supported by ACF’s knowledgeable team and inspired by the chance to connect with others who share their values. Financial benefits such as tax deductibility and cost-effectiveness were also key drivers, but our reputation for trusted advice and community connection came first.
“We often hear that people come to ACF because we make strategic giving easy,” Andrew said. “Once they start engaging with our education and networking opportunities, they then feel part of something bigger – a community committed to creating a fairer and more sustainable Australia.”
“Looking ahead, we’re committed to increasing opportunities for engagement across the country – ensuring that wherever you live, you can feel connected, supported, and inspired to give through ACF.”
4. Our community is highly satisfied – and recommending us to others
We’re proud to report that 98% of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience at ACF. This result exceeds our target benchmark of 95% and reflects the positive relationships we’ve built with our giving community.
Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) – a measure of how likely someone is to recommend an organisation – came in at 60, a strong result in the context of Australia’s philanthropic and professional services sectors.
“We’re thrilled to see this level of satisfaction and advocacy among our community,” said Andrew. “It reflects the trust our Fundholders place in us to support their giving.”
5. Many Fundholders are thinking long-term – but some need support
The survey showed that many in our community are planning ahead with their giving – whether that means growing their Fund, setting annual granting targets, or involving family members in future decisions.
But not all Funds have a clear plan for the long-term direction of their Fund.
If you haven’t yet created a long-term plan for your Fund, we’d love to support you through a Fund Review. This is a great opportunity to reflect on your goals, explore new ideas, and ensure your giving continues to align with your values over time.
“A Fund Review is a great way to pause and think about what comes next,” said Andrew, “whether that’s expanding your giving, refining your focus, or engaging the next generation. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.”
Don’t miss our VIC Fund Forum where we’re launching the ACF Good Giving Toolkit – your new guide to giving with purpose. Can’t join us in Melbourne? We’re planning a series of Fund Forums across Australia, so stay tuned for more details.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey – your feedback is helping shape the future of our giving community.
If you’d like to discuss your Fund or book a Fund Review, please reach out to our Community Team: [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.
