Community Foundations Australia

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Growing community foundations for a fairer Australia.

Every community depends on passionate, hard-working people committed to the long-term vitality and resilience of the place they call home.

Community foundations are part of the community they support. They have first-hand knowledge of local issues and needs and bring people together to pool resources and activate the power of giving for lasting impact.

Community foundations raise money, manage funds to build lasting assets, and make grants to support a community’s changing needs over the long term. They have the skills and structures that make it easy for anyone to donate to local causes and charities in the most effective way.

The unique value of community foundations lies in local action on local issues. Their shared commitment is to create a fairer, more sustainable Australia where everyone belongs.

In Australia, some 40 community foundations work to make their local community a better place to live, from rural areas, to regional towns and capital cities.

unique LGAs served by a local community foundation

granted between financial years 2019 - 2022

aggregate funds under management (30/6/2021)

CFAustralia Update

Community Foundations Australia appoints Ian Bird OLY as its new Chief Executive Officer

Member Update

STOKED: a surf therapy program in the time of COVID

Video

The Mornington Peninsula Foundation: a focus on place-based philanthropy to make a difference.

The Mornington Peninsula Foundation has a focus on place-based philanthropy to really make a difference. With a focus on education, it supports the everyday wellbeing and economic independence of its community.

Member Update

The Southern Highlands Community Foundation celebrates 21 years.

Member Update

The Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation turns 100

CFAustralia Update

New partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation

Member Update

Foundation SA launches Disaster Recovery Fund

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News & Analysis

Member Update

Tomorrow Today Foundation is seeking to recruit an Executive Officer

The Tomorrow Today Foundation is now recruiting for a part-time Executive Officer to lead its small team, dedicated to achieving measurable change in Benalla, Victoria.

Policy and Advocacy

Why community foundations should talk to government about the projects they support

We all know that community foundations play a key role in funding, supporting, and connecting local social purpose and not-for-profit organisations, but community foundation boards should also consider the role they have in raising the profile of the organisations they support with government.

CFAustralia Update

Statement on the Voice to Parliament

The Board of Community Foundations Australia announces its support for the Yes campaign in the upcoming referendum on a Voice to Parliament.

Research

Research Roundup: 30 years of nonprofit reform reports

Research Roundup is a regular feature to keep our network up-to-date with recently published research papers and studies on community philanthropy issues from around the world.

CFAustralia Update

Community Foundations Australia appoints Ian Bird OLY as its new Chief Executive Officer

Community Foundations Australia appoints Ian Bird as its new Chief Executive Officer

CFAustralia Update

Ian Bird OLY

Ian Bird's full biography

Policy and Advocacy

Advocacy Matters - July Edition

Advocacy Matters is a monthly column focusing on all things politics, policy, campaigns and advocacy. Stay tuned for updates around political trends and elections, lobbying and advocacy news, and hints, tips and ideas on government engagement.

Member Update

Fire Shed Fridays: an update

Supported financially by Global Giving, the Fremantle Foundation’s Fire Fund, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the wider community, CFTR Chair Louise Halsey now has a further update on the success of this terrific project.

Video

Happy 10th Birthday Red Earth Community Foundation

We are thrilled that Red Earth Community Foundation is celebrating its 10th birthday today. Congratulations to the team, supporters and volunteers who have helped make a positive impact in their community over the past decade.

Policy and Advocacy

Advocacy Matters: June 2023

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What we do

Community Foundations Australia is the peak body that unites, represents, and supports community foundations in a national network to amplify their collective voice and impact.

Our community foundation members use first-hand knowledge of local issues to make their communities healthier and fairer, more inclusive and sustainable. We support them through a range of bespoke services, built on close relationships and trust.

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What Our Members Say ...

"Thank you for the help you have provided… being welcomed back into the community foundation fold has been very pleasing and has provided more connections for us. We look forward to our continued relationship."

"I appreciate Community Foundations Australia’s readiness to help, whenever we need assistance."

"The member catch-up sent my mind spinning about CRM opportunities. It’s very inspiring to hear what others are doing, there’s a lot to be learned!"

"The introductions Community Foundations Australia have made have been invaluable, so too have been the opportunities to share knowledge on everything from software to organisational policies."

"Thanks, team. Some fabulous articles in the newsletter. Couldn’t have been more spot on in terms of timing for us."

"Thank you for the opportunity to speak at the workshop. Taking part has given me such a great insight into the wider development of community foundations, and a big jump in energy for things up here!"

"I really appreciate the Community Foundations Australia meet-ups, and the focus on supporting ourselves and others. Thank you for creating a reason to pause and take stock."

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Acknowledgement of Country

Community Foundations Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the country where Community Foundations Australia and its Community Foundation members operate. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.