Chair of Australian Communities Foundation (ACF) since 2018, Eric Beecher has overseen the most significant period of growth in the Foundation’s history.

As he steps off the Board this month, we speak with Eric about his time in the role, the importance of giving, and his hopes for ACF and Australian philanthropy more broadly.

Reflecting on your time as Chair at ACF, what are you most proud of?

My six years as chair coincided with the greatest growth in ACF’s history. What I found deeply satisfying about that growth is, firstly, it has been the result of a powerful and purposeful alignment between board, management and donors. Secondly, more growth means more philanthropy which means a fairer Australia. Unlike companies, where more growth means more profits and revenue, more growth at ACF means a better society.

Why is giving important to you?

Because we live in a super-wealthy country where there is a stark disparity between haves and have-nots and too much selfishness among the haves. It’s an imbalance that can be partially redressed by government (but often isn’t), which leaves only one other source of redress: philanthropy practised by people who care.

What do you value most about being part of a community like ACF?

Collegiality and common purpose. Almost without exception, every ACF board member, manager and donor thinks and acts as a community in the interests of the community in the most instinctive way.

What would you like to see philanthropy do more (or less) of?

More focus, discussion and action on practical, measurable quiet achievement; less focus on taking credit for achievement.

What are your hopes for ACF’s future?

Keeping growing at, or ideally way ahead of, the current trajectory. Specifically: a $1 billion corpus within ten years.

You are part of the media industry – is there anything you think the media can do to advance philanthropy in Australia?

Yes, cover it much more (every serious news organisation should have a full-time philanthropy reporter), explain and decode it (even the word ‘philanthropy’ is intimidating) and become a co-partner in activating its community to become givers and participants in making Australia a fairer society.

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Fiona McLeay succeeds Eric as Chair of the Foundation, effective this month. The ACF Board and team extend their gratitude to Eric for his dedicated leadership and look forward to Fiona’s guidance and contributions in the role.

Eric remains an engaged member of our giving community through the Beecher Family Charitable Fund and looks forward to catching up with the community at future events.