MAKING CHANGE TOGETHER
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Making change together
Five years of the Impact Fund
FIVE YEARS OF THE IMPACT FUND
Australian Communities Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present, and emerging.
Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land and that is why supporting Indigenous self-determination is a key focus area of the Impact Fund.
Lama Lama ranger, Lisa Peter. Credit: Annette Ruzicka and Country Needs People. Impact Funders support the Country Needs People campaign which promotes Indigenous Ranger and Protected Area Programs.
A movement of funders and changemakers
The Impact Fund is a movement of funders and changemakers working for a fairer and more sustainable Australia. Together, we support the boldest solutions to the biggest issues facing people across our country today.
“From environmental justice and Indigenous solidarity, to upholding democracy and celebrating equity and equality – when you and I give together like this, we direct powerful energy to advance a vision of the country we all want to live in.”
Rueben Berg, proud Gunditjmara man and Australian Communities Foundation Director
The Impact Fund is a movement of funders and changemakers working for a fairer and more sustainable Australia. Together, we support the boldest solutions to the biggest issues facing people across our country today.
“From environmental justice and Indigenous solidarity, to upholding democracy and celebrating equity and equality – when you and I give together like this, we direct powerful energy to advance a vision of the country we all want to live in.”
Rueben Berg, proud Gunditjmara man and Australian Communities Foundation Director
DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS
We made this happen
“Five years ago, with your support, we started the Impact Fund to bring funders and changemakers together to tackle the biggest issues facing Australia. You shared our vision of giving in a way that reflects the kind of fair and sustainable country we all want to live in.
Read on for how, together, we are shaping a future we can all be proud to hand on to the next generation.”
“Impact Funders and Partners are making change together on our journey towards a fairer and more sustainable Australia.”
Maree Sidey, CEO and Eric Beecher, Chair
DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS
We made this happen
“Five years ago, with your support, we started the Impact Fund to bring funders and changemakers together to tackle the biggest issues facing Australia. You shared our vision of giving in a way that reflects the kind of fair and sustainable country we all want to live in.
Read on for how, together, we are shaping a future we can all be proud to hand on to the next generation.”
Maree Sidey, CEO and Eric Beecher, Chair
Impact Funders first supported the Climate Council in 2017 to build public support for climate solutions such as the transition to renewable energy. Credit: Dean Holland.
The power of giving together
The Impact Fund supports work across four areas: inequality, democracy, Indigenous self-determination, and the environment. The Fund has grown significantly over its first five years with learning and collaboration at its core.
In this report we celebrate the 100+ Impact Funders who have contributed over $4 million, but more importantly, the game-changing work that funding has enabled, led by more than 40 civil society organisations – our Impact Partners.
$9+
million raised
150+
funders giving together
45+
civil society partners supported
15+
positive policy reforms
10+
social infrastructure groups and initiatives established
4x
funding leveraged
Figures last updated December 2023
The power of giving together
The Impact Fund supports work across four areas: inequality, democracy, Indigenous self-determination, and the environment. The Fund has grown significantly over its first five years with learning and collaboration at its core.
In this report we celebrate the 100+ Impact Funders who have contributed over $4 million, but more importantly, the game-changing work that funding has enabled, led by more than 40 civil society organisations – our Impact Partners.
$9+ million raised
150+ funders giving together
45+ civil society partners supported
15+ positive policy reforms
10+ social infrastructure groups and initiatives established
4x funding leveraged
What we’ve achieved together so far
Here are some highlights of what our Impact Partners have achieved so far with the support of Impact Funders and many others, highlighting the power of targeted collective giving.
INEQUALITY
Over $950,000 raised
INDIGENOUS
Over $850,000 raised
DEMOCRACY
Over $1.1 million raised
ENVIRONMENT
Over $1.1 million raised
2017
Marriage equality
Marriage equality achieved for all Australians
Partner: Equality Australia / Human Rights Law Centre
2018
Reproductive rights
Abortion decriminalised in QLD and NSW, and safe access zone laws defended in VIC and TAS
Human Rights Law Centre
Gun safety
Australia’s first coalition for gun safety established, working on gun policy, legislation and regulation
Australian Gun Safety Alliance
Public interest journalism
Voice for public interest journalism established
Public Interest Journalism Initiative
Corporate responsibility
Organisation established to mobilise shareholders to hold corporations to account
Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility
2019
Poker machine reform
Coles, Woolworths and 9 AFL clubs divest from gambling through pokies
Alliance for Gambling Reform
Medevac
191 refugees and people seeking asylum brought to Australia from offshore detention to access urgent medical care
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
2020
Farmer-led climate action
National Farmers’ Federation commit to net-zero emissions by 2050
Farmers for Climate Action
Uluru Statement
Uluru Statement’s ‘historic offering of peace’ recognised at the Sydney Peace Prize
Indigenous Law Centre
Saving the Reef
Over $600 million in government funding secured to protect the Great Barrier Reef
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Indigenous jobs on Country
Over $800 million in government funding secured to support 80 Indigenous ranger groups
Country Needs People
2021
Indigenous deaths in custody
Grassroots organisation established to support Indigenous families affected by deaths in custody
Dhadjowa Foundation
Income support
JobSeeker increased by $50 a fortnight
Australian Council of Social Service
Women’s health and economic wellbeing
Federal Government 2021 budget commitment of $3.4 billion for women’s health, safety and economic wellbeing
Economic Media Centre
Decriminalising public drunkenness
Public drunkenness laws that discriminate against Indigenous peoples decriminalised in Victoria
Dhadjowa Foundation
What we’ve achieved together so far
Here are some highlights of what our Impact Partners have achieved so far with the support of Impact Funders and many others, highlighting the power of targeted collective giving.
2017
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Marriage equality achieved for all Australians
Partner: Equality Australia / Human Rights Law Centre
2018
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Abortion decriminalised in QLD and NSW, and safe access zone laws defended in VIC and TAS
Human Rights Law Centre
GUN SAFETY
Australia’s first coalition for gun safety established, working on gun policy, legislation and regulation
Australian Gun Safety Alliance
PUBLIC INTEREST JOURNALISM
Voice for public interest journalism established
Public Interest Journalism Initiative
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
Organisation established to mobilise shareholders to hold corporations to account
Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility
2019
POKER MACHINE REFORM
Coles, Woolworths and 9 AFL clubs divest from gambling through pokies
Alliance for Gambling Reform
MEDEVAC
191 refugees and people seeking asylum brought to Australia from offshore detention to access urgent medical care
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
2020
FARMER-LED CLIMATE ACTION
National Farmers’ Federation commit to net-zero emissions by 2050
Farmers for Climate Action
ULURU STATEMENT
Uluru Statement’s ‘historic offering of peace’ recognised at the Sydney Peace Prize
Indigenous Law Centre
SAVING THE REEF
Over $600 million in government funding secured to protect the Great Barrier Reef
Australian Marine Conservation Society
INDIGENOUS JOBS ON COUNTRY
Over $800 million in government funding secured to support 80 Indigenous ranger groups
Country Needs People
2021
INDIGENOUS DEATHS IN CUSTODY
Grassroots organisation established to support Indigenous families affected by deaths in custody
Dhadjowa Foundation
INCOME SUPPORT
JobSeeker increased by $50 a fortnight
Australian Council of Social Service
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING
Federal Government 2021 budget commitment of $3.4 billion for women’s health, safety and economic wellbeing
Economic Media Centre
DECRIMINALISING PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
Public drunkenness laws that discriminate against Indigenous peoples decriminalised in Victoria
Dhadjowa Foundation
“The Impact Fund is fuelling the next wave of the social change movement in Australia. When we give together in support of our country’s leading changemakers, we unlock the change we need for a fairer and more sustainable future.”
Cath Smith, Chair of Philanthropy and Impact Committee, Australian Communities Foundation
“The Impact Fund is fuelling the next wave of the social change movement in Australia. When we give together in support of our country’s leading changemakers, we unlock the change we need for a fairer and more sustainable future.”
Cath Smith, Chair of Philanthropy and Impact Committee, Australian Communities Foundation
Jump ahead
Our impact
The Impact Fund is making change on the ground, within our giving community, and across the philanthropic sector. Read stories from our Impact Partners to learn about the progress we’re making on the ground.
Our funding community
The Impact Fund community is made up of over 100 individual funders. Read stories from our Impact Funders to find out why they get involved with the Fund.
Get involved
Interested in becoming an Impact Funder or continuing your support? Find out how you can get involved.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Australian Communities Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present, and emerging.
Sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land and that is why supporting Indigenous self-determination is a key focus area of the Impact Fund.
© Australian Communities Foundation