Community Foundations Australia brought more than 80 friends together on 10 February to celebrate both the historic DGR 1 tax reform that created a new category for community foundations and the contribution of former Chair Ben Rodgers. Here, he has kindly agreed to share the speech he made on the night in full.

More than 80 network partners, friends and colleagues joined Community Foundations Australia to celebrate the contribution of former Chair Ben Rodgers - and the historic tax reform that created a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) category for community foundations.

The latest gathering of the Community Funds for Gender Equity alliance in Melbourne saw new local community philanthropy organisations join the conversation that started in Sydney at the end of 2025.

We are thrilled to announce that registrations for our national gathering in 2026 are now open. We can't wait to see you there.

In late 2025, Community Foundations Australia began formally recognising something that had already been building across the network – community foundations coming together around shared challenges, opportunities and practice. In this Q&A, Mari shares the thinking behind Impact Communities and how the model is evolving.

Media release

Community foundations in the areas hit by devastating fires in Victoria and floods in northern NSW and Queensland have launched campaigns to support affected communities, meaning funds and aid will arrive quickly and respond effectively to local needs.

Letters from the Chair and CEO

Introducing our new Strategic Plan