The health of Australia’s democracy is receiving growing attention, with renewed discussion about how to strengthen the conditions needed for civic participation, public trust and respectful debate to thrive.
At a time when communities are grappling with complex challenges and competing viewpoints, strong democratic institutions help create the space for people to participate, be heard and work through differences constructively. While democracy can often be taken for granted, it underpins how decisions are made, how power is held to account, and whose voices shape our collective future.
Against this backdrop, more funders are recognising that a healthy democracy is not just another cause area. It is the foundation that almost every other issue depends on.
Mannifera is a philanthropic collective that works to strengthen that foundation. By pooling money, knowledge and trust, it’s where Australian funders come together to back a fairer democracy and economy.
Established in 2019 by a group of funders, including Australian Communities Foundation, Mannifera was created in response to a growing concern that the institutions and systems underpinning Australian democracy were not receiving the attention or investment they needed. While philanthropy often focuses on specific issues or communities, Mannifera’s members recognised that progress in any area ultimately depends on the strength of the systems that shape how decisions are made, whose voices are heard, and how power is distributed.
As Mannifera CEO, Harriet McCallum puts it, “there’s perhaps no greater collective endeavour than the building of a democracy that can work for all of us.”
Giving collectively for systems change
For Mannifera, democracy is not a standalone cause. It is a foundation that influences how communities navigate challenges, resolve differences and create change. Its grant partners work across civic participation, democratic reform and economic inclusion, helping to build a society that is fairer, more responsive and more representative.
The collective giving model is central to this approach. By pooling resources, members can support a broader range of organisations and opportunities than would typically be possible through individual giving alone.
“We know collective giving really works for tackling big national challenges,” Harriet says. “It enables funders to give to more organisations than they could otherwise support on their own.”
We know collective giving really works for tackling big national challenges. It enables funders to give to more organisations than they could otherwise support on their own.
But the value extends well beyond grantmaking. Mannifera creates opportunities for members to learn together, hear directly from sector leaders and develop a deeper understanding of the forces shaping Australian democracy. Members gain insight into how different organisations and movements work together as part of a broader ecosystem, while also building relationships with fellow funders interested in long-term systems change.
Over the years since Mannifera’s launch, Harriet sees encouraging signs that Australia’s democracy sector is becoming more connected and collaborative.
“We’re seeing organisations increasingly work as part of a broader ecosystem,” she says. “That’s important because strengthening democracy is not something any one organisation can do alone.”
Australian Communities Foundation has supported Mannifera from the outset, helping establish the collective and providing the infrastructure needed to receive contributions and distribute grants. More recently, Mannifera became a sub-fund of ACF’s Community Charity, enabling it to access a wider range of philanthropic support.
“ACF has really been with Mannifera at every step of the way,” Harriet says.
For Mannifera’s members, investing in democracy is not about supporting a single issue. It is a recognition that the effectiveness of efforts across every field, from environmental protection to social justice and economic opportunity, is shaped by the strength of the democratic systems around them.
When people can participate in public life, when institutions are transparent and accountable, and when differences can be debated respectfully, communities are better equipped to tackle complex challenges and create lasting change.
“When people can participate in public life, when institutions are transparent and accountable, and when differences can be debated respectfully, communities are better equipped to tackle complex challenges and create lasting change,” says Harriet.
“At a time when democratic institutions are facing growing pressures around the world, philanthropy has an important role to play in helping sustain those conditions.”
Interested in learning more? Contact the ACF Philanthropy Team for a conversation about democracy funding, or to learn more about Mannifera.
