From 27–30 April 2026, Australia will host Women Deliver 2026 (WD2026) in Naarm (Melbourne), one of the world’s most significant global gatherings focused on gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, and intersectional justice. Thousands of movement leaders, advocates, policymakers and funders will convene from across the globe.
For Australia’s philanthropic community, WD2026 is more than a conference. It is a rare moment to engage directly with national, regional and global movements, strengthen relationships, and deepen understanding of what drives lasting impact for communities.
Women Deliver is known not only for convening dialogue, but for shaping agendas and catalysing action. WD2026 is framed around a clear call: to gather, to strategise, and to shift power. This resonates strongly with Australian donors who are increasingly seeking to move beyond transactional giving towards strategic, values-aligned partnerships that deliver real impact.
Understanding how gender equality intersects with economic security, health and wellbeing, education, safety, climate resilience, and community leadership helps donors achieve impactful change. Evidence consistently shows that when funding is designed with gender in mind, outcomes are stronger and more sustainable.
This is a timely opportunity to connect purpose, evidence and action, and to consider how gender-wise giving can strengthen the impact of causes you already support, locally and globally.
WD2026 offers donors and advisers access to:
- Global evidence and lived experience on what drives meaningful progress for women, girls and gender-diverse people
- Connections across sectors and regions, including the Pacific, First Nations communities and grassroots movements that are often under-resourced but central to change
- Insight into funding approaches that prioritise long-term commitment, collaboration and trust
An opportunity to strengthen gender-wise giving
Whether you are a new or established funder, WD2026 provides a practical opportunity to embed gender considerations across your giving, rather than treating them as a discrete issue.
Australians Investing in Women (AIIW) works with funders to strengthen gender-wise giving by aligning funding with evidence, lived experience and long-term systems change. Ahead of WD2026, AIIW is supporting shared learning, facilitating connections, and helping translate the momentum of WD2026 into practical post-conference action.
This is a timely opportunity to connect purpose, evidence and action, and to consider how gender-wise giving can strengthen the impact of causes you already support, locally and globally.
Funders and investors who would like to learn more about how to engage with WD2026 are invited to contact Catherine Noble at Australians Investing in Women: [email protected]
To learn more about priority projects, including travel grants for First Nations and Pacific women, head to the AIIW website.
Explore partnership and sponsorship opportunities on the Women Deliver 2026 website.
Feature image: The Governor-General of Australia with the AIIW team — including CEO Julie Reilly (far left) and Program Lead Catherine Noble (third from right) — at the organisation’s 15th anniversary celebration.
