<h2>Director &#8211; Foundation and Field Development</h2>
<a href="https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/australiancommunityphilanthropy/director-foundation-and-field-development-flexible-location">The Director, Foundation and Field Development</a> provides strategic leadership for Community Foundations Australia&#8217;s work to strengthen community philanthropy across Australia. Working across community foundations, philanthropy, government and civil society, the role helps shape the enabling environment in which community-led philanthropic institutions can emerge, grow and thrive.
The role leads Community Foundations Australia&#8217;s field and foundation development work, stewarding strategic partnerships, mobilising resources, strengthening collective capability and translating learning into action. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director contributes to organisational strategy, culture and operational capability, helping steward Community Foundations Australia through its next phase of growth as a <a href="/research-publications">field catalyst</a>.
This is a permanent role (between 0.8-1.0 FTE) and is open to candidates from all locations across Australia.
For more information on the role and culture at CFAus, <a href="https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/australiancommunityphilanthropy/director-foundation-and-field-development-flexible-location">position description and application details, visit our advertisement on Ethical Jobs.</a>
<h2>Community Funds for Gender Equity Alliance &#8211; Lead</h2>
Community Funds for Gender Equity (CFGE) is one of CFAus’ impact communities. It is <a href="https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/australiancommunityphilanthropy/community-funds-for-gender-equity-alliance-lead-remote-work-from-home">an alliance of women&#8217;s funds, giving circles and Indigenous- and community-led philanthropic initiatives</a> working together to strengthen community-led responses to gender inequity.
The <a href="https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/australiancommunityphilanthropy/community-funds-for-gender-equity-alliance-lead-remote-work-from-home">CFGE Lead</a> will steward the Alliance as a connected, participatory and member-led network, creating the conditions for collaboration, shared leadership and collective action. Working as the Alliance&#8217;s backbone function, the role provides the coordination, facilitation and enabling infrastructure that supports participating organisations to pursue community-determined priorities while collaborating around shared goals, strengthening the field and contributing to long-term systems change.
This is a part-time role (between 0.6 &#8211; 0.8 FTE) and is open to candidates from all locations across Australia.
For more information on the role and culture at CFAus, <a href="https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/australiancommunityphilanthropy/community-funds-for-gender-equity-alliance-lead-remote-work-from-home">position description and application details, visit our advertisement on Ethical Jobs</a>.

CFAustralia Update

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Murruration

Community Foundations Australia is excited to be recruiting two new important roles. The Director, Foundation and Field Development provides strategic leadership for CFAus' work to strengthen community philanthropy, while the Community Funds for Gender Equity Alliance Lead will steward this fast-developing alliance of collective action.

Community Foundations Australia is hiring!

More details will follow but at this stage we invite you to save the dates 19-23 September 2027 in your diaries. 
Dylan Smith, CFAus Co-CEO, announced the news in a network meeting at the end of July. “We’re going to Broome people! We are delighted to be heading to the beautiful remote, regional and cultural setting of Broome in northern WA next year,” he said. 
“We were given an invitation and challenge at this year’s Forum in Naarm from the Indigenous-led Funds community to see what the journey ahead is for community foundations and Indigenous-led philanthropy, so the Kimberley setting will be perfect to help us take steps together.” 
CFAus is convening an Advisory Group to help plan the Rubibi/Broome national Forum. The aim is to form a group of up to 10 people from community foundations in diverse locations with varied experience to help inform the content of the program. It’s anticipated that the group will meet online once a month starting in February 2027. 
Cherie Heslington, CEO of Aarnja, a Regional Peak Kimberley Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and foundation, said: “We are really proud to be partnering with CFAus for the National Community Foundations Forum 2027. 
“This is going to be the first event of its kind in the Kimberley and it’s important to be hosting other community funds in beautiful Rubibi, to join us on Country. 
“There’ll be opportunities for learning and getting a deep cultural immersion, as well as holding important discussions around community funds, the role that Indigenous-led Funds play and how we come together to further build out the ecosystem. 
“We&#8217;re very much looking forward to co-hosting everyone on Country next September.” 
If you’d like to express interest in being a part of the Advisory Group or have any questions, please email Anna Marinovich at <a href="mailto:anna@cfaustralia.org.au">anna@cfaustralia.org.au</a>. 
Image credit: CJ Maddock

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Broome James Price Point #2 - Photo Credit CJ Maddock

Community Foundations Australia is delighted to announce we will be heading to Rubibi (Broome) in Western Australia for the National Community Foundations Forum in September 2027. We are excited and grateful to be hosted on Country by Aarnja Limited (Aarnja). 

‘We’re going to Broome people!’ Save the date for the National Community Foundations Forum 2027

The foundation has been supporting Aboriginal communities in South Australia through community-led grantmaking and self-determined philanthropy under different structures for six years. 
The launch on 23 July 2026 marked a significant milestone following the foundation&#8217;s establishment as a standalone entity last year, but it was also an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and to challenge philanthropy to think differently about the future. 
&#8220;The launch was a formality of getting us out there, but also a chance to celebrate the wins,&#8221; said Warren. 
Held at the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal cultural destination in Port Adelaide, the event brought together more than 100 community leaders, funders, partners and supporters from across the sector. A choir of brilliant young singers from Kayala Children’s Centre performed songs celebrating culture, identity and self-determination. 
The launch also featured the premiere of Beyond the Referendum, a powerful short film giving voice to First Nations young people navigating the aftermath of the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum. The film highlights that the impact extended far beyond politics for young people who shared stories of the confusion, disappointment and questioning they felt watching debates about their future unfold without being included in the conversation. 
&#8220;What does our future look like for young Aboriginal people, for First Nations people now?&#8221; Warren asked. &#8220;That is really the question at the heart of it.&#8221;

A lot of people got emotional watching the film, he said. And it was &#8220;very, very powerful for the families and young people in the room to see themselves up on the screen&#8221;. 
The event was also designed to create and deepen more connections in the community. &#8220;The idea was to connect funders who were there with community people,&#8221; he said. &#8220;If you liked what was happening in community, go and talk to the community. We&#8217;re the givers, not the doers.&#8221; 
The foundation provides communities with flexible funding to determine what matters most to them. &#8220;Community decides what they want to do,&#8221; Warren said. &#8220;What works well is giving access to untied funds and letting community lead.&#8221; 
The community consultations that Spinifex has done so far have reached 400 people and the foundation has done 2-3 years of granting from those consultations around its five pillars. Warren said the foundation was seeking to build its endowment so &#8220;we can push a little bit further&#8221;. 
Language revitalisation programs are one example of what&#8217;s been funded along with making cemeteries feel like healing spaces with more seating and shade &#8220;so our elders are looked after when they go there to grieve&#8221;. 
&#8220;All the stuff that you would not find in a regular funding grant round.&#8221;

'The work does not stop here. We need more support, more resources, more allies if we're going to change the DNA of philanthropy.' 
Warren Miller

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050826 Spinifex D and G

The launch also highlighted the growing movement of Indigenous-led funds (ILFs) across Australia. Warren believes these organisations are critical to shifting philanthropy towards genuine self-determination and more effective outcomes for First Nations communities. 
Warren was instrumental in bringing together 29 Indigenous-led Fund leaders to meet in Cairns last year to consider what the barriers are, to reflect on what an Indigenous-led Fund is and what resourcing is needed to support their development. 
“Along with Fay Fuller Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation and various others, community foundations have been major supporters of Indigenous-led funds and there&#8217;s a lot of potential to create pathways for more ILF’s to emerge and thrive,” he said. &#8220;I can see the cogs are turning and moving forward. And Spinifex is just one mechanism.&#8221; 
But progress requires a willingness for philanthropy to step outside familiar ways of working and engage more deeply with communities and leaders whose experiences may be very different. 
&#8220;Show up in places that make you uncomfortable,&#8221; Warren said. &#8220;Show up in places to help advocate for change. Just show up and walk the walk. A lot of good sentiments get spoken at conferences about all the stuff we can do to make a difference, but why aren&#8217;t we doing it?&#8221; 
Community Foundations Australia Co-CEOs Dylan Smith and Georgia Mathews attended the launch, alongside Stacey Thomas, CEO of the Wyatt Foundation and CFAus Board Chair. 
&#8220;It was a really uplifting, galvanising event,&#8221; Dylan said. &#8220;There was a lot of humour and laughter and belief and celebration. What it reinforced for me is how important it is to put in the effort to walk alongside Indigenous-led Fund leaders and create opportunities to learn and grow together.&#8221; 
Warren&#8217;s speech acknowledged the progress already made, but it also delivered a clear challenge to the sector. &#8220;We&#8217;ve done good. But there&#8217;s always ways to do better. 
Warren&#8217;s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/spinifex-foundation-sa-official-launch-e7ahc/">speech in full can be accessed online</a>.
&#8220;The work does not stop here. We need more support, more resources, more allies if we&#8217;re going to change the DNA of philanthropy.&#8221; 
&#8220;Don&#8217;t tell us how to work within a system that was not designed by us,&#8221; he said. 
As Spinifex Foundation SA enters its next chapter, Warren&#8217;s vision remains constant: stronger communities, more Indigenous-led philanthropy and a sector willing to learn, listen and walk together towards change.

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050826 Spinifex CFAus tight crop

The official launch of Spinifex Foundation SA was a celebration years in the making, but for CEO Warren Miller, it also marked an important step in strengthening Indigenous-led impact across Australia.   

Spinifex Foundation SA launches calling on philanthropy to 'show up in places that make you uncomfortable'

Launched in July 2026 and funded by the <a href="https://www.eqt.com.au/Our-Services/Private/Philanthropy/Charitable-Trusts/JO-and-JR-Wicking-Trust">JO and JR Wicking Trust</a>, managed by Equity Trustees, Weaving Connections is a three-year, $6 million investment in community-led action that recognizes that some of the most effective responses to loneliness and social isolation already exist within communities. However, these are often overlooked in broader policy and funding approaches, and would have much greater impact with better resourcing and a networked approach.
Community foundations in the Ageing Well Impact Community have received resource transfers from the Wicking Trust to explore and launch initiatives in their communities. The foundations involved are Aarnja Limited (Aarnja), Fremantle Foundation, Mparntwe/Alice Springs Community Foundation, Spinifex Foundation SA, Foundation SA, Stand Like Stone Foundation, The Ballarat Foundation, Greater Shepparton Foundation, Inner North Community Foundation, Southside Community Foundation, Rainbow Giving Australia and Australian Communities Foundation.
Read the <a href="/news/community-network-to-lead-6m-project-to-address-loneliness-and-strengthen-belonging-among-older-australians">media release on the Weaving Connections announcement</a>.
The Wicking Trust wanted to play a field catalysing role by convening a group of trusted organisations working in communities to collaborate, share learnings and create greater impact. The Ageing Well Impact Community will be working with national partners that include the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA), Foundation for Rural &amp; Regional Renewal (FRRR), Ending Loneliness Together, Relationships Australia and Council of the Ageing (COTA) Australia. CFAus is convening the network.
Mari De Liseo, Impact Communities Lead at CFAus, said: “Weaving Connections treats community knowledge as equal to research evidence and professional expertise, creating a model where solutions are developed with communities, not just delivered to them.
&#8220;This is an opportunity to make known what the diverse and intersecting community priorities around ageing well actually are – and put them front and centre at the national level. The Ageing Well Impact Community will play a critical role by testing ideas on the ground and sharing what works.”

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Ageing Well Forum pic 1

Announcing the project in Loneliness Awareness Week, Susie Meagher, Grant Program and Social Impact Manager at Equity Trustees, said: “The idea is to get the funding out to organizations that have deep community roots – to those people who know where it needs to go.”
There will be a particular focus on valuing and applying First Nations cultural knowledge and ways of thinking and doing to the group’s work, along with considering the health and wellbeing disparities that persist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Government and health agencies define &#8217;older&#8217; Indigenous Australians as starting at age 50, compared to age 65 for non-Indigenous Australians. This difference reflects a lower overall life expectancy and a higher rate of chronic illness occurring at a much earlier age in Indigenous communities.
Cherie Heslington (pictured below) CEO of Aarnja, a Regional Peak Kimberly Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, called Weaving Connections a “trailblazing program”.
“Ageing well for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comes with layers of complexity that many non-Aboriginal Australians never have to navigate. Experiences of racism, cultural disconnection, financial insecurity and intergenerational trauma all influence well-being.
&#8220;For many Aboriginal people, the conversation isn&#8217;t simply about ageing well. It&#8217;s about how we move people from surviving to thriving. When families are focused on just making it through the day, future planning on ageing well is the last thing they’re worrying about. That&#8217;s how we&#8217;re grounding our approach.

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Cherie headshot 600x650

&#8220;This trailblazing project gives us an opportunity to explore what ageing well looks like through a cultural lens and in a way that reflects the true lived reality of our communities,” she said.
She highlighted the greater impact that will come from taking a networked, national approach. “What excites me most about the Ageing Well Impact Community is the opportunity for genuine learning and exchange. There is a shared commitment across the partners to listen, learn and challenge each other respectfully.
&#8220;Through that cross-pollination of ideas, we have an opportunity to really create something that is stronger, more inclusive and impactful for everyone,” said Cherie.
Loneliness and social isolation can have significant impacts on older people&#8217;s health and wellbeing, including increased risks of depression, heart disease and early death. Lonely older adults <a href="https://endingloneliness.com.au/aia-partnership/">have a 58% higher risk of developing dementia compared to less lonely peers</a>.

Social isolation (the objective lack of social contact) and loneliness (the subjective feeling of disconnection), both require responses that are relationship-based, trusted, and grounded in communities. Through the program, older Australians will be supported to age with dignity, inclusion, choice, and meaningful social connection.
Priority areas identified through early community conversations include increasing consistent in-person support for older people, creating accessible opportunities for older people to participate in volunteering and intergenerational engagement, strengthening hubs and meeting places, and supporting people to remain connected in their communities via vital infrastructure such as housing and transport.
Georgia Mathews, Co-CEO of CFAus, said: &#8220;This is the first time that the network of community foundations has entered into a highly trusting, multi-year learning partnership with national expert organisations to promote ageing well in their communities.
&#8220;We&#8217;re excited to work with others to explore what it takes to shift conditions at a national level, and experiences at a community level, to ensure all Australians feel well-connected and have a sense of belonging as they age.&#8221;

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Post-it note ageing

The Ageing Well Impact Community, stewarded by Community Foundations Australia (CFAus) comprising 12 community philanthropy organisations across the country, has joined others from the social welfare, community and philanthropic sectors in a major new initiative to help older people experience greater connection, participation and belonging.  

Community foundations key part of $6m project to address loneliness in older Australians

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image (2)

Launched in July 2026 and funded by the JO and JR Wicking Trust managed by Equity Trustees, Weaving Connections is a three-year, $6 million investment in community-led action that recognises some of the most effective responses to loneliness and social isolation already exist within communities, but are often under-resourced, not connected to one another or overlooked in broader policy and funding approaches.  
Loneliness and social isolation can have significant impacts on older people&#8217;s health and wellbeing, including increased risks of depression, heart disease and early death. Lonely older adults have a 58% higher risk of developing dementia compared to less lonely peers. 
Rather than funding many separate programs, the Wicking Trust specifically wanted to play a field catalysing role by convening a group of trusted organisations working in communities to collaborate, share learnings and create greater impact.

The Wicking Trust is partnering with the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA), Foundation for Rural &#038; Regional Renewal (FRRR), Ending Loneliness Together, Relationships Australia and Council of the Ageing (COTA) Australia, along with Community Foundations Australia (CFAus), which is convening the ecosystem. 
Announcing the project in Loneliness Awareness Week, Susie Meagher, Grant Program and Social Impact Manager at Equity Trustees, said: “The idea is to get the funding out to organisations that have deep community roots – to those people who know where it needs to go. 
&#8220;So it&#8217;s weaving connections between the grant partners but also ensuring that they then weave those connections to the older Australians to get them closer to the activities, initiatives and people that matter to them at this stage of their lives.” 
Susie said that she hopes that older Australians themselves and their communities are involved in funding decisions and that the learnings are not just looped back to the national partners but also to the funding community. 
Currently only 1% of philanthropic funding is directed to programs for age-related issues, said Susie, so she hopes other funders see the benefits of the initiative. Loneliness affects all age groups, so the intersectionality of the work will also be of interest to funders across those areas, she said. 
“We’re hoping that philanthropic funding can help with joining the dots and bringing the sector together so that it starts to become less a bunch of organisations operating separately, albeit well, and becomes more of a movement,” she said. 
Social isolation (the objective lack of social contact) and loneliness (the subjective feeling of disconnection), both require responses that are relationship-based, trusted and grounded in communities. Through the program, older Australians will be supported to age with dignity, inclusion, choice and meaningful social connection.  
As the national field catalyst for community philanthropy, CFAus convenes an Ageing Well Impact Community, a networked group of 11 community foundations that have received funding from the Wicking Trust to explore and launch initiatives in their communities. The group includes community foundations working in place across the continent, as well as Indigenous- and community-led funds and Australia’s first national LGBTQIA+ community foundation. The group has begun to build its shared knowledge about ageing well as a base from which to act. 
Georgia Mathews, Co-CEO of CFAus, said: &#8220;This is the first time that the network of community foundations has entered into a highly trusting, multi-year learning partnership with national expert organisations to promote ageing well in their communities. 
&#8220;We&#8217;re excited to work with others to explore what it takes to shift conditions at a national level, and experiences at a community level, to ensure all Australians feel well-connected and have a sense of belonging as they age.&#8221; 
There will also be a particular focus on valuing and applying First Nations cultural knowledge and ways of thinking and doing to the group’s work, along with considering the health and wellbeing disparities that persist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Government and health agencies define &#8216;older&#8217; Indigenous Australians as starting at age 50, compared to age 65 for non-Indigenous Australians. This difference reflects a lower overall life expectancy and a higher rate of chronic illness occurring at a much earlier age in Indigenous communities. 
Priority areas identified through early community conversations include increasing consistent in-person support for older people, creating accessible opportunities to participate in volunteering and intergenerational engagement, strengthening neighbourhood hubs and gathering places, and supporting people to remain connected in their communities via vital infrastructure such as housing and transport. 
By investing in relationships, community leadership and expertise, Weaving Connections aims to build a stronger ecosystem that enables all older Australians to experience meaningful connection, purpose and belonging in everyday life. “There&#8217;s so much we can learn so that older Australians can continue to contribute and feel that they belong if we can remove some of the barriers to inclusion,” said Susie. 
“A great outcome would be that we start to see a shift in how we view older Australians &#8211; that they are assets in their communities.” 
Learn more about <a href="/news/what-is-an-impact-community-cfaus-lead-mari-de-liseo-explains">Impact Communities on our website</a>. Contact <a href="mailto:dee@cfaustralia.org.au">dee@cfaustralia.org.au</a> for more.

Media release

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Birds 2

A national project to address loneliness and social isolation among older Australians has been launched. The initiative brings together organisations from the social welfare, community and philanthropic sectors to help older people experience greater connection, participation and belonging – and build more intergenerational links.  

Community network to lead $6m project to address loneliness in older Australians

Video

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CFForum2026_Day1_JacintaKeefePhotography_WEB-37 (1)

Highlights from the 2026 National Community Foundations Forum.

National Community Foundations Forum 2026 - video

The relationships that Karen and the rest of the volunteer board at Denmark Community Foundation have in the local area are central to what is being achieved. It was Karen’s daughter, a nurse at the local high school, who raised that there was a gap in mental health support for 12-25-year-olds being home schooled or disengaged from education. 
“I called a meeting with shire, the high school and primary school, Headspace Youth Focus and the Albany Youth Support Association. I was surprised that they hadn’t ever sat down together before to talk about the issue,” said Karen. 
This reflects one of the key roles community foundations play as conveners, using their connections to bring together organisations that otherwise may not meet and turn existing local knowledge into practical action. 
“I’m a grandparent and while my girls and grandies are well catered for, I just couldn’t think of anything worse than any of them falling through the gaps. So I don’t want that to happen to anybody else,” said Karen. 
“My suggestion to the group was that if I could come up with funding, could they come up with a plan?” 
Karen and fellow board member Jo Tighe approached the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, a Perth-based funder chaired by Elizabeth Perron, who immediately supported the initiative. Elizabeth is a strong believer in backing community leaders who know best what their local communities need and had recently started funding community foundations across Western Australia.

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DEnmark YMH

Karen and Elizabeth have built a strong trust-based relationship and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is now backing the Denmark Community Foundation in a multi-year, untied partnership. Elizabeth has visited the town and seen the impact of the community foundation’s work first-hand. 
The result was the establishment of a free mental health counselling service from Youth Focus Great Southern run out of the local Community Resource Centre a number of days a week. The Denmark Foundation also has funds available for diagnostic assessments and emergency transport if needed.

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Denmark kitchen

Backing from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation has enabled the Denmark Community Foundation to respond to some of the town’s other pressing needs. These included a wheelchair-accessible community transport vehicle, an all-abilities access pathway at a local primary school, improvements to facilities that support a local youth dance program and the Happy Plate initiative, which teaches young people about nutrition, healthy lifestyles and cooking. There’s also been support for hardship and medical transport programs. 
“The accessible pathway means that children with a disability can access the school playground and play alongside their friends for the first time,” said Karen. The Denmark Community Foundation has now become known as the first point of contact for local organisations seeking support for other initiatives. 
Read more on how the relationship developed: <a href="/news/major-funder-backs-trusted-local-leadership-through-wa-community-foundations">Major funder backs trusted local leadership through WA community foundations</a>
“People are coming to us now to make representations on their behalf,” said Karen. An example included a funding request from the high school to support a student who was the subject of a domestic violence situation with accommodation and other assistance. 
“We made an approach to Elizabeth on a Friday and worked on the application over the weekend. We received the funding on the Monday.”

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DCF-Primary-School-Playground

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DCF-Karen-Burford

Another initiative is the Palmerston Outreach for drug and substance misuse in nearby Albany, which had a funding shortfall. Working with the Albany Community Foundation, the Denmark Community Foundation was able to secure the needed support – a great example of how community foundations are backing each other. 
“Through our relationship, Elizabeth and her team know that there is need in the community here and that’s why they’re always willing to have a chat if there’s anything that Denmark or surrounding area needs. And they know they can trust us to deliver it.” 
The town’s population has grown more than 30% since Covid to 6,500 and despite the lack of services, Karen says there’s a strong community, connected by 300 sports and activity clubs. The Denmark Community Foundation is also supported by some local family businesses, organisations and anonymous donors, but it’s been run as a very lean organisation since establishing in 2009. 
Karen cried when she first received a call from Elizabeth Perron to say that she was planning to fund the community foundation. “It was fantastic to have that recognition from an external source because the community really needs the assistance.” 
“We’re achieving things,” she said. “Our motto is ‘Small town, big heart’,” she said. “I think, for a little town, we’re punching above our weight.”

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DCF-Denmark-Youth-Festival-Stall (1)

Services in Denmark, located over 350km south of Perth, are 'next to nothing', says Karen Burford, Chair of the local community foundation. But that’s beginning to change, thanks to the foundation’s tireless commitment and ability to convene local stakeholders on issues such as youth mental health, food insecurity and substance misuse services.  

How Denmark Community Foundation is supporting youth mental health and creating real local change

The trust-based giving model recognises that community foundations hold the key relationships central to achieving significant long-term change in their local areas, said Chair Elizabeth Perron.
Rather than directing funding from a centralised office in Perth, the Foundation decided to support community foundations across Western Australia, including the Peel and Fremantle Community Foundations, last year with significant unrestricted funding gifts. It has gone on to develop a close relationship with the community foundations in Denmark and Albany.
“Our passion for Community Foundations is due, in part, to my dad Stan’s belief that the greatest impact comes from supporting individuals and organisations who are committed to giving back to their own communities. That is exactly the role Community Foundations play,” said Elizabeth.
&#8220;Because Community Foundations are created and led by local people, they have an intimate understanding of their communities&#8217; priorities and are uniquely positioned to invest in the initiatives that will deliver the greatest long-term benefit,&#8221; she said.

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Denmark dance crop

“When you talk to someone like Karen Burford, the Chair of the Denmark Community Foundation, who is one of the most amazing humans, you realise her genuine connection and passion for her community. Karen’s insights and visibility in the community give the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation comfort that funding be very impactful.
“I decided to contact Karen and said, ‘Hi my name is Elizabeth from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, and we would like to make a contribution to your Community Foundation. 
“I told Karen the amount of the contribution and she cried with joy. It has been an enduring relationship since.”
Read more on the <a href="/news/how-denmark-community-foundation-is-supporting-youth-mental-health-and-creating-real-local-change">impact of the Denmark Community Foundation and the relationship</a>.
Elizabeth first became aware of the work that Community Foundations do through Dylan Smith, Co-CEO of Community Foundations Australia in his former role as WA’s Director of Engagement at Philanthropy Australia. He was also the founding Executive Officer of the Fremantle Foundation prior to that.
“Every now and then, Community Foundations would come up in conversation with Dylan and he was always very passionate about them because of his past involvement,” said Elizabeth.
While the foundation had previously funded local causes through various pathways, when she learned more about what individual community foundations were doing across WA, “We thought maybe this is a way we can directly reach people in communities”.

'Because Community Foundations are created and led by local people, they are uniquely positioned to invest in the initiatives that will deliver the greatest long-term benefit.'

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DCF-Primary-School-Playground crop

Elizabeth and Suzanne Sweeney, the Foundation’s Community Grant Administrator, took a road trip to Albany and Denmark in May. They attended the Denmark Community Foundation Breakfast to meet locals and hear of the many projects underway. This was followed by a tour to see first-hand some of the programs that the funding had supported. One project was an all-access pathway to a local children&#8217;s playground (main image). 
“It just confirmed that they&#8217;re amazing with what they do. And it’s not just short-term fixes. They’re really trying to make a difference for the long term and shift policy too,” said Elizabeth.
The partnership is a testament to trust-based philanthropy, grounded in relationship. The initial gift has evolved into a multi-year arrangement. In light-touch reporting, Denmark and Albany Community Foundations send the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation a list of what they’ve funded. 
“We had confidence in them from the beginning, that trust is now embedded,” said Elizabeth. “The Community Foundations are also encouraged to bring forward larger projects they’ve identified that may benefit from one-off funding. This has led to additional support for major initiatives, including community hubs and social services. “People in the community know to call the Albany or Denmark Community Foundation when they have a challenge,” said Elizabeth.

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Elizabeth P

Dylan said the approach marks a deliberate shift away from top-down philanthropy. “It’s about trusting local knowledge and supporting communities to make the right decisions for themselves. This kind of philanthropy calls on a community’s latent capacity and lets it flourish.”
The partnership also highlights the broader role private philanthropy can play in strengthening community-led development. Dylan identifies three key areas: increasing funds available for distribution, supporting operational capacity and contributing to long-term endowments that anchor resources locally.
“In places like Denmark, it’s enabled activity that wasn’t possible before,” he said. “It’s not just funding projects – it’s strengthening leadership, building local systems and enabling communities to shape their own future.”
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is also using its ties to put community foundations in touch with other funders for types of projects it doesn’t fund. Elizabeth (pictured left) hopes that they can be a catalyst for other funders to support community philanthropy.
“Collaboration is the greatest thing with funders and community partners. Albany and Denmark work hand-in-hand well together. They know where their boundaries are with what they support. And they want the same thing – the best outcomes for their communities.
“Seeing the passion that people like Karen have and how they’re recreating safe spaces for adults and young people to meet stays with you,” said Elizabeth.
“It’s amazing to see the change that the community foundations are making in Denmark and Albany.”

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Denmark crop for main pic

The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is forging a distinctive partnership with community foundations to achieve ‘immediate impact’ where it’s needed in Western Australian communities. The trust-based giving model recognises that community foundations hold the key relationships central to achieving significant long-term change in their local areas, said Chair Elizabeth Perron.

Major funder backs trusted local leadership through WA community foundations

The idea for the Geelong Women’s Impact Collective was partly sparked at the Community Foundations National Forum 2024 – going to show how the national gathering can be an incubator for innovation. 
The Collective brings together women and allies in a structured “giving circle” model to fund programs supporting women and girls across the region. 
&#8220;The response to the launch has completely blown us away,&#8221; said Amy Waters, CEO of the Geelong Community Foundation (main image). The origins of the initiative have deep roots in Amy&#8217;s personal experience alongside an idea sparked at a session on gender equity funds at the National Community Foundations Forum in 2024. 
“I sat in that session and thought, ‘We definitely need to do this,’” Amy said. “It was a bit of a lightbulb moment. I could see a real opportunity to frame the issues differently and engage people in a more meaningful way. 
&#8220;Gender inequality and family violence are issues that I’ve experienced personally. I&#8217;m also passionate about creating opportunities to support women in my network to engage in philanthropy, so these factors all combined into action.&#8221; 
The fact that the Collective was brought to life within two years showcases what&#8217;s possible post-Forum. Amy urges anyone who attended the 2026 National Community Foundations Forum in May who was inspired by an idea or made a particular connection to keep the momentum going. 
&#8220;These moments and inspirations can slip away once you&#8217;re back into the swing of things at your foundation, but if it&#8217;s something you really think could make a difference in your community, stay focused and make it happen,&#8221; said Amy.

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Amy was new to her CEO role at the 2024 Forum but was already reflecting on how to better connect donors with the realities of inequality in Geelong. While the foundation had a long-established endowment model and collective giving program, known as P500, she felt there was more to be done to communicate urgency and impact &#8211; particularly around improving outcomes in areas such as safety, economic participation and leadership for women and girls. 
The forum session, led by sector leaders working on gender-focused philanthropic models, helped crystallise the concept of a themed giving model that both tells a clearer story and attracts new donors. 
“It wasn’t just about making grants,” Amy said. “It was about raising awareness of the issues and helping people see themselves as part of the solution.” 
Data from the foundation&#8217;s Vital Signs report indicated that Geelong and surrounding areas had a growing family violence epidemic with rates 25% above the state average. At the same time, women in the region face higher rates of underemployment, a persistent gender pay gap and under-representation in leadership roles. 
&#8220;We were seeing specific challenges in our own community. That’s what has driven the need for a targeted response.” 
A key element for Amy was making the entry point to the Collective as accessible to as many women as possible. Under the model, members contribute a minimum of $1,000 annually. Twenty-five per cent of donations are pooled to support grants, while the remainder is invested to build a permanent fund, ensuring ongoing impact for future generations. Members will vote each year on shortlisted projects supporting women and girls, combining grant assessment with participatory decision-making. 
The first round of women’s impact grants linked to the Collective is expected to be awarded in mid-2027, following the foundation’s standard investment cycle. In the interim, the foundation committed to funding the inaugural Women’s Impact Collective grant from their corpus to enable early engagement in the grant-making process, which was announced at its annual gala in May. 
The grant of $40,000 was awarded to McAuley Community Services for Women to support a dedicated Children’s Practitioner within the Safe at Home pilot. The program helps children impacted by family violence, strengthening safety, well-being and connection to education and community. 
It&#8217;s been a record-breaking year for the foundation with $2 million in grants and scholarships being distributed in 2025/26 – the largest annual distribution in Geelong Community Foundation’s history. 
While the financial contribution in the Women&#8217;s Impact Collective is central, Amy says the work is equally focused on connection and cultural change. 
“We’re already hearing from members who want to bring their daughters, their friends, their networks into this,” she said. “There’s a strong desire not just to give, but to connect, to learn and to uplift each other.” 
That collaborative ethos is a defining feature of women’s philanthropy globally, and one the foundation hopes will translate into broader community impact. 
“We want to see more investment in issues affecting women and girls, but we also want to foster a shift where women support and champion each other,” Amy said. “That’s where lasting change happens.” 
The rapid uptake of the Collective suggests that message is resonating. 
“As I’ve explored this more, it’s become clear just how pervasive gender inequality is,” Amy said. “If we don’t address it, we risk holding back our communities. This is about creating a more equitable future &#8211; for our families and for the next generation.”

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A fund aimed at tackling gender inequality and strengthening women-led philanthropy hosted by the Geelong Community Foundation was launched in April with the backing of more than 100 founding members.

Geelong Women’s Impact Collective gets tremendous response to launch

The neighbouring community foundations have come together to share knowledge and resources – and build a more powerful collective voice in response to shared local challenges. 
The idea took shape at an inaugural gathering in early 2024 on the banks of the Murray River at the Mitta Mitta Canoe Club in Wodonga, where participants discovered a shared identity and purpose. They’ve remained in contact and met once more, in person, earlier this year. 
Sue Gold, Executive Officer of the <a href="https://www.bordertrust.org.au/">Border Trust</a>, was one of those instrumental in bringing the foundations together in what has become known as the River People network. “We’re all rural or regional, often close to the state border and dealing with similar issues, from natural disasters to housing and food insecurity to the impact of increasing costs of living.” 
Sue says that the network’s success has come from keeping things simple and allowing relationships to develop organically. “We had no idea where it would go,” she said. “We just came together, spent time and let it emerge.” 
The network now spans seven community foundations stretching from Murrindindi and Shepparton through Albury-Wodonga to Snowy Valleys and Swan Hill, with new foundations continuing to emerge. “We&#8217;re a network of community foundations that in some way touch the Murray River or tributaries to it,” said Sue. 
“That first meeting was the first time we felt that we had a shared identity,” said Sue. “So we thought, ‘why don’t we try to all do something bigger picture?’” 
One common challenge is that funding and government service systems often stop at state lines. “State money doesn’t cross the border, but people and the needs do,” Sue said. “There’s a real gap around connecting services and resourcing that gets to both sides of the river.” 
While Community Foundations Australia (CFAus) has attended early meetings and supported the gatherings with travel costs, for example, the network is completely driven by members. It’s a great example of how the wider community foundations movement is supporting itself and seeding initiatives. 
Members have been sharing resources such as governance documents, fundraising approaches and community engagement strategies. “We’ve had conversations on all sorts of practical things like how to engage with the community and supporters to what CRMs and financial software people are using,” said Sue.

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River People pic

Emergent foundations have joined the network too and are finding the shared resources particularly helpful. Leanne Mulham is the Secretary of the <a href="https://www.southernriverinacommunityfoundation.com.au/">Southern Riverina Community Foundation</a>, which formed in February 2026. 
She said that the network has been helpful with lots of “the basics, like which domain do other foundations use and what platform other foundations use for accepting donations. Then that leads on to their accounting packages and practices, privacy policies, travel reimbursements, the list goes on. 
&#8220;You can get bogged down in all the policies, so it’s been really helpful to be able to jump on to the WhatsApp group and see what others have done.” 
Leanne said that being part of the River People network has given her and the foundation’s new directors confidence in where they are headed. 
“It’s been very motivating to get to know a network of like-minded people. All three of us came back from the River People gathering glad that we went. It’s all feeling pretty exciting,” she said. 
Leanne’s experience points to the broader systems-level shift that strong regional networks can create. In years past, new community foundations had to learn by doing, relying on one-to-one peer support that often depended on who they happened to know. As regional networks like River People grow, that knowledge is becoming more accessible and more widely shared, giving new foundations a way to tap into decades of collective experience and build from what others have already learned. 
The River People network is also keen to strengthen regional influence. Together, the foundations represent a substantial geographic and population base. “Collectively, it brings more weight than just any one of us saying, ‘here’s an issue for us,’” Sue said. “It’s about how can we strategically support each other, but also become a local force for impact? So if funders are looking to create change in this region, here’s an obvious network of community foundations to work with.” 
One of its first major initiatives has been partnering with the Gardiner Foundation to deliver a community development grants program, which was facilitated in part by Australian Community Foundations (ACF). “That’s the first real tangible outcome beyond our own internal development and sharing,” Sue said. Under the partnership, River People representatives are helping direct funding to communities impacted by the dairy industry, demonstrating the network’s potential as a conduit between private philanthropy and local needs.

'Trust the process, come together, have a conversation ... 
Even just forming the relationship matters.'

The network is turning its attention to more strategic collaborations, particularly around issues such as renewables, which Louise Halsey, Snowy Valleys CF, is working on. Members are also exploring how to align around housing affordability, food insecurity, climate impacts, workforce shortages, family violence and mental health – issues that are often intensified by natural disasters. 
As the River People’s work evolves, its combination of local leadership, shared purpose and practical support is positioning itself as a model for how networked collaboration can better serve connected communities and wider regions. 
“Individually, we are strong in different areas, so now we are working on how, as a network, we can join together in a collective voice where it&#8217;s needed to be more effective.” 
Sue’s advice to other community foundations is to give it go. “Trust the process, come together, have a conversation. We’ve had agendas both days we’ve met, but we’ve also had space to go off on 1,000 tangents. 
“Pick a beautiful spot, order in food and coffee, and get to know one another better. You’ll come to understand if there’s commonality there that can help each other to succeed and benefit your communities more. 
“Even just forming the relationships matter.”

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River People gathering spot

A grassroots alliance of community foundations along the Murray River is driving regional collaboration in a growing network.

River People network gains momentum as cross-border collaboration grows

Through the Impact Communities approach, shepherded by Community Foundations Australia (CFAus), groups of foundations are sharing knowledge, testing ideas, strengthening advocacy and exploring how community philanthropy can drive meaningful change across a wider sphere than a local context. 
From renewable energy and housing to local media, ageing well, gender equity and climate resilience, each Impact Community has emerged in response to a shared belief that communities should be central in helping to shape big-picture solutions. The groups all convened at the National Community Foundations Forum 2026 in May. Here is a summary of the progress so far and next steps generated from the sessions.
Renewable energy
The Renewable Energy Impact Community emerged in 2023 as Victoria began declaring Renewable Energy Zones. Community foundations were actively involved in discussions with developers, local government and industry, and began to identify that these key audiences had low literacy around the community foundation model, and its potential role in the transition. At the same time, many foundations recognised the need for a co-ordinated approach to ensuring community voices were heard throughout the transition.
CFAus convened the group, which galvanised around a statewide submission to VicGrid. Through this work, the group identified that community foundations have a clear role to play in the renewable energy transition. This includes building shared language across stakeholders, strengthening advocacy efforts, mapping key players, sharing practical case studies, and exploring models of community ownership and community benefit.
Looking ahead, the group has identified key priorities including advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and building a shared knowledge base. Over the coming months, the focus will be on developing resources and approaches that can support foundations to navigate the complexities of the renewable energy transition in each state-by-state context, and as a national collective effort. Practical tools are underway, including a glossary of renewable energy and community foundation terminology, as well as stakeholder mapping resources to help foundations understand the landscape in different regions.

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CFForum2026_Day1_JacintaKeefePhotography_WEB-430

Gender equity 
The <a href="/news/alliance-of-community-funds-launches-to-power-gender-equity">Community Funds for Gender Equity Impact Community</a> grew from a simple but powerful observation: hundreds of millions of dollars are being stewarded through women’s funds and giving initiatives across the community philanthropy sector. This sparked a collective curiosity about what could be possible if these efforts were more connected and coordinated in service of gender equity. 
Discussions at the CFAus Forum revealed how much momentum exists across the network. Many community foundations have either launched or are exploring gender equity initiatives in their local communities. For some, the starting point is establishing a women’s giving circle; for others, it is creating dedicated funding streams for women, girls, and gender-diverse people. 
One standout example is the Northern Rivers Community Foundation’s Empowering Women and Girls Grant program, which supports grassroots initiatives helping women and girls overcome inequality, exclusion and marginalisation. The program is funded through the foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle and provides seed funding for fresh ideas as well as support for existing programs to scale. 
The growing interest in this work has attracted new participants into the Impact Community, highlighting a strong appetite for collaboration. The next phase will focus on practical mechanisms for resource sharing and distribution, with the group set to reconvene in July and August. CFAus will also introduce dedicated stewardship support to help coordinate and grow the initiative.

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Housing 
Communities are grappling with pressing issues in housing affordability, availability and homelessness across Australia, yet the scale and complexity of the challenges can often feel overwhelming. 
The Housing Now group began with a recognition that housing intersects with nearly every issue community foundations are working to address – from wellbeing and employment to health and social inclusion. The question is no longer whether foundations have a role to play, but what that role should be. 
Participants identified significant momentum around practical housing solutions, including the refurbishment of existing buildings for accommodation, tiny homes and “pay what you can” models on under-utilised land, along with integrated housing projects that combine accommodation with support services. However, promising initiatives are frequently stalled by systemic barriers such as complex planning processes, governance challenges, access to early-stage capital and difficulties navigating local government approvals. 
A key insight from Forum was the growing opportunity for community foundations to act as convenors and catalysts. There is also an emerging need to combine housing delivery with innovative finance and wraparound support services to create lasting outcomes for people experiencing systemic barriers to safe and stable housing. 
The group is now exploring practical interventions, including catalyst funds that could help overcome barriers such as Development Application (DA) processes and council-related delays. Another priority is strengthening the Impact Community itself as a collaborative platform where ideas can be rapidly tested, refined and prepared for piloting or scaling.

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Local media 
As local newspapers continue to close and regional voices struggle to compete with media generated from larger metropolitan centres, many community foundations have become increasingly concerned about the future of local storytelling. 
The Local Media Impact Community was established to explore what a stronger local media ecosystem could look like and the role community philanthropy might play in supporting it as declining revenues become unsustainable in the current business models. 
The group’s discussions at Forum highlighted the deep connection between local journalism, democracy and community cohesion. Beyond reporting the news, local media strengthens community identity, creates a sense of pride and belonging, supports emergency communication, and provides pathways into media careers for young people. 
Participants recognised that rebuilding local media ecosystems will require new funding and partnership models that balance sustainability with editorial independence, transparency and public trust. 
The next phase of work will focus on moving beyond isolated local pilots toward a more co-ordinated national approach. Priorities include integrating different forms of local print and digital media, supporting community storytelling, exploring sustainable funding models and policy advocacy, and creating opportunities for greater youth participation through media literacy and training initiatives.

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Ageing well 
Many community foundations already support older people through activities such as transport, volunteering programs and social connection initiatives. However, until recently there had been no focused exploration of how community philanthropy could intentionally tackle social isolation challenges and support people to age well in their communities. 
The Ageing Well Impact Community is changing that. Partnering with the Wicking Trust and a range of national experts, the group is exploring how communities can create the conditions for older people to experience belonging, connection and purpose wherever they live. 
The work so far has highlighted that communities need more tailored and intersectional approaches that recognise the diverse experiences and needs of older people. An emerging central insight is that First Nations communities are losing many young people to suicide, and that the life expectancy for First Nations Peoples is significantly shorter compared to non-Indigenous Australians. As the group identified in its Forum discussion, “it is a privilege to age”. 
The group’s next step is to co-design a strategy focused on intergenerational connection, volunteer participation, neighbourhood hubs and secure housing, while embedding older people’s voices at every stage of the work.

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Climate resilience 
Community foundations have long played a critical role in disaster response and recovery, but there has not previously been a sustained and co-ordinated network focused on climate resilience. 
The Climate Resilient Communities group recognises that resilience is built long before disasters occur. Trusted local relationships, strong community institutions, co-ordinated networks and investment in preparedness are all essential ingredients for communities to withstand and recover from climate-related events. 
The group came together for the first time at Forum, with participants identifying significant strengths that communities already demonstrate during disasters, including local leadership, volunteering, fundraising and rapid mobilisation. At the same time, major gaps remain. 
The group is now focusing on how community foundations can play a key role in much-needed relationship-building and improved communication and co-ordination across communities, government, funders, service providers and infrastructure organisations. There is also a strong emphasis on investing in community leadership and resilient infrastructure while ensuring local knowledge informs funding and decision-making before emergencies happen. 
As trusted local organisations, community foundations are uniquely positioned to serve as convenors, advocates and connectors – bringing together the people, resources and systems needed to build stronger, more resilient communities in the face of future climate disasters.

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If you are interested in learning more or becoming involved with one of the Impact Communities, contact Mari De Liseo, Impact Communities Lead on <a href="mailto:mari@cfaustralia.org.au">mari@cfaustralia.org.au</a>.

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Community foundations are coming together across Australia to tackle some of the most complex issues facing communities today in a more collaborative and systemic approach. Through the Impact Communities approach, shepherded by Community Foundations Australia (CFAus), groups of foundations are sharing knowledge, testing ideas, strengthening advocacy and exploring how community philanthropy can drive meaningful change across a wider sphere than a local context. 

Impact Communities: Turning shared local challenges into collective action

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The Adaptive Lifecycle Framework was built to help community foundations recognise where they are, name what they&#8217;re navigating, and find language for the work ahead. It&#8217;s a tool for reflection, not a report card.
The Lifecycles Card Game brings the framework to life through two sets of cards:
Relational Roots — The relationships, trust, knowledge, and capital (social, human, cultural) that a community foundation grows from. These exist before structures do and sustain a foundation when structures need to change. They&#8217;re built by building trust, listening, and sharing power.
Functional Enablers — The governance, systems, processes, and infrastructure that turn intention into practice. They serve the mission and should be revisited as the foundation evolves.
Play the game with your full team, bring it to a board retreat, or use it quietly on your own. The playbook walks you through how — whatever the context, whatever the room.
This framework and game were co-designed with a network of community foundation leaders, practitioners, and thinkers across Australia and globally. Their generosity of knowledge and experience is woven into every card.
Join the conversation
A Lifecycles Reflection Session is being held on August 12, 2026, 10:30am–12:00pm AEST — a space to share learning and feedback about the framework and game, and explore what&#8217;s emerging.
To join, email Michelle Baldwin, Community Collaboration Fellow: michellebaldwinldn@gmail.com
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FTqHMWBvyDZyjQy207NERfimcqQFxVdX/edit?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=100223020282585117751&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true">Explore the framework here.</a>
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zmp2M2RIbD9tRFqI-IONjtQHTMRx6PZz/view?usp=sharing">Download the playbook here</a>.
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dMih4Ui_6CTGD9hN1XB_CgcvuiwxqmXS/view">Download the card game here.</a>
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7VpNF7Aos6o-sEwTc_kzzKGJOgrvjtS/view">Download the board game here.</a>

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Printing Instructions
&#8211; An A2-sized &#8220;game board&#8221; (to be printed on thicker paper or cardstock), option to only print one side with lifecycle
&#8211; A set of 28 cards per deck (A6 size)
&#8211; A A4-sized &#8220;playbook&#8221; that is 22 pages, landscape set up (which could be double-sided, aside from the cover page)

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Designed with and for community foundations, the Lifecycles framework and card game offer community foundations the chance to reflect on four fluid stages — emergence, growth, durability, and renewal - not as a linear progression, but as an ongoing journey. 

CF Lifecycles Framework & Card Game

Tamás said that the vast network of local meetings – or talking groups – that emerged offers insights into how community foundations can play a role in strengthening civic engagement in Australia. 
Tamás, a member of the Global Fund for Community Foundations board who founded Hungary’s first community foundation, spoke on a panel in May exploring how communities across Australia and the world are taking the lead during an era of uncertainty. 
After calling for greater transparency on political issues, said Tamás, Magyar lost his former government position and became the target of personal attacks – a fate that has historically sidelined dissenting insiders in Hungary’s political system. 
“But instead of retreating, Magyar took an unconventional path. He embarked on a nationwide tour of rural Hungary, visiting around 800 small towns and communities over two years – often returning to the same places multiple times.” 
The gatherings were modest at first – sometimes just a dozen people – and carried the risk of job losses and social exclusion as speaking publicly was seen as defiance. Yet these gatherings proved transformative, said Tamás. Participants began to connect with one another, discovering that their concerns were shared by neighbours. 
Tamás said that community foundations supported the groups in some areas by providing meeting space and the legal vehicle to collect donations to support communities in need. Often local board members were involved and took insights on what the community wanted back to their foundation. 
“As trust grew, so did their sense of collective agency. Local groups formed, not as political party champions, but as independent civic circles focused on discussion and information-sharing about how they wanted their community to be as well as platform for local action,” said Tamás. 
He said the groups focused on improving state functioning in relation to good-quality education, public transport and healthcare, for example. “The issues that affect the whole of society, not just the privileged few. There was also an intention to counter polarisation and end notions of the capital against countryside, rich against poor.” 
The groups continued to meet regularly. Crucially, they developed a sense of critical thinking around civic issues, said Tamás. “Educating people from the top-down doesn’t work. We have to facilitate and support people to come together around ideas. 
“The movement that came out of these meetings gives us a task for the next few years to keep the momentum going, to keep people engaged in public issues around the development of their communities. To keep people developing critical thinking and resistance to populism. I can see a role for community foundations there.”

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Touching on the diminished influence of media to hold society to account, “we have to do it at the community level, in person, where there are individual groups and human relations,” said Tamás. 
“Holding these conversations, listening to each other, accepting and recognising somebody else&#8217;s need, somebody else&#8217;s pain, somebody else&#8217;s point of view, and then, looking for solutions together that are inclusive not exclusive is an important role that community foundations can play. 
“Most everybody is a change-maker. Look for leaders in small communities. It feels positive in Hungary now, a new era. The space is open, the space is big and community foundations have enduring credibility in their communities.” 
Tamás also reflected on what he’s seen in the Australian community foundation movement while attending the Forum. “The most impressive point for me is seeing the message that it’s not all about money. That community foundations here are focused on relationships and creating a just and good society. The human relationships are so, so important, especially considering the vastness of the country. That’s something that’s relevant for many parts of the world. 
“It’s also stayed with me how many community foundations started because of a bushfire or natural catastrophe. Seeing people’s response to something bad grow into something positive and lasting is very special,” said Tamás. 
The movement in Hungary grew apparently to2,500 local groups within 18 months and went on to coalesce behind Magyar when he ran for the election. His majority of 141 seats in 199 was one of the most significant campaign outcomes in Hungary’s modern history. 
The significance of the local meetings, said Tamás, is that now scores of Hungarians feel a sense of ownership in the process, having actively contributed to a dramatic new course for the country. It highlights how decentralised networks can complement and even reshape traditional structures. 
“Imagine the pride of that local leader who contributed to a change that you heard about in Australia, 15,000km away,” said Tamás. 
“We can get caught up in structures, but having trust and relationships, the kind of human-to-human connection that can really only occur when we have the opportunity to speak, when we have the opportunity to be face to face, is so very, very important.”

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Hungary flag

Tamás Scsaurszki, one of our international guests at the National Community Foundations Forum, shared the powerful story of how Péter Magyar’s landslide win over Viktor Orbán came after he spent two years visiting hundreds of communities in rural Hungary holding 'talking groups' about civic matters. 

Hungary’s historic movement for change ‘grew out of community connections’

LGBTIQ+ communities across the globe face persistent stigma, discrimination and uneven access to rights, while the community-led organisations best placed to respond to these challenges remain chronically underfunded. Em Scott, CEO of the national community foundation Rainbow Giving Australia, has published nine major recommendations to address this issue in Australia as part of her recently completed Churchill Fellowship. 
Travelling to cities including London, New York, Washington and San Francisco in 2025, Em spoke with 50 experts across philanthropy and the LGBTIQ+ sector. Her report draws of extensive interviews and insights exploring how Australia can build a community-led resilient funding model for LGBTIQ+ equality, inclusion and safety at a time of increasing global uncertainty. 
What emerged overall is a clear message: the global landscape has shifted. Democratic backsliding, rising political polarisation, and rollbacks of hard-won gains are reshaping the funding environment. Institutional funding, once considered stable, is becoming less reliable when the sector needs it most. A sobering reflection was that some private funders Em approached declined to participate or would only speak on the promise of anonymity. 
The report urges preparation for a more volatile future while highlighting Australia’s strong foundations – including broad public support for equality, a growing culture of giving and a history of impactful community leadership. The insights are relevant to anyone interested in strengthening democracy, civil society and equality.
Em said: “Australia should interpret the lessons from this report as both a warning, to prepare and build resilience, as well as a real opportunity to forge a path that ‘meets the moment’ and positions us as a global leader in LGBTIQ+ equality, generosity and social cohesion.”

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Jessica Stern (global human rights advocate

A key finding is that LGBTIQ+ rights remain precarious. Progress can quickly be reversed, underscoring the need for sustained, long-term commitment from funders, even in times of apparent stability. At the same time, reliance on a single funding source is increasingly risky. Diversification – across philanthropy, individual donors and emerging sectors like tech – is essential. 
The report also highlights the importance of trust-based, community-led funding approaches. “Flexible, multi-year support that prioritises lived experience and wellbeing enables organisations to move from dependency toward resilience,” said Em. “Strengthening networks across the sector is equally critical, fostering collaboration and shared impact rather than competition.” 
Addressing chronic underfunding – around 39% of LGBTIQ+ organisations operate on less than $10,000 and LGBTIQ+ organisations receive about 0.05% of total giving in Australia – is a key focus. One of the most promising opportunities recommended in the report is in growing individual and legacy giving. Building community-owned funding streams could also provide stability and independence, particularly when paired with matched funding and stronger government incentives. Funders are encouraged to invest across multiple levers of change, from advocacy and strategic litigation to leadership development and narrative change. 
“Ultimately, the path forward is one of collective effort,” said Em. “By embracing intersectional, community-led approaches and strengthening collaboration across philanthropy, government and civil society, Australia has the potential not only to safeguard LGBTIQ+ progress, but to lead globally in building a more inclusive, resilient future.” 
Read the <a href="https://rainbowgiving.org.au/news/churchill-fellowship-report">full report at Rainbow Giving Australia and attend a <a href="https://events.humanitix.com/resourcing-lgbtiq-futures-sector">Zoom session for the Rainbow Sector on Wednesday 17 June</a> at 12pm, in which Em will unpack her findings.

Captions: Main pic is Em with Nicole Lilauwala and Sam Grimmett Batt of UK Community Foundations; second image, Em with global human rights advocate Jessica Stern.

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Meeting with UK Community Foundation (community foundation peak)_ Nicole Lilauwala, Sam Grimmett Batt

Em Scott, CEO of the national community foundation Rainbow Giving Australia, has published nine major recommendations to address chronic underfunding for community organisations supporting LGBTIQ+ equality and inclusion as part of her Churchill Fellowship research.

Em Scott: How Australia can build community-led, resilient funding for LGBTIQ+ equality, inclusion and safety

The roundtable on 26 May 2026 included 50 participants around the table and online, including several MPs, representatives from Neoen, Snowy Hydro, Squadron and TransGrid; representatives from six community foundations, Community Foundations Australia (CFAus) and FRRR. 
Additionally, there were representatives from local councils including Snowy Valleys and the Canberra Joint Organisation of Councils, as well as NGO’s including RE-Alliance, Community Power Agency, Coalition for Community Energy, LG NSW and Regional Development Australia ACT/SENSW. 
It was hosted by Dr Joe McGirr, the MP for Wagga and Justin Clancy, the member for Albury, and chaired by Genevieve Jacobs, CEO of Hands Across Canberra. The roundtable built on the momentum of a smaller but highly engaged gathering held just 12 months earlier driven by Louise Halsey and Diana Palmer from the Community Foundation for Snowy Valleys Region. 
Louise and Diana worked throughout the year to champion the issue, working closely with MPs, councils, proponents and community advocates, leading to the second roundtable. 
Louise said: &#8220;There was such a feeling of generosity within the room to simply get the best outcome to benefit the community as a whole.
&#8220;The roll out of renewables has the potential to deliver one of the great long-term benefits to our social and cultural lives. We need community to be part of the decision making from the outset to ensure fairness and transparency.&#8221;
At the outset of the meeting, Genevieve made it clear the discussion was about refining the 2024 NSW Government Benefit Sharing Guidelines &#8211; the long-term community benefits delivered to regional communities from large-scale renewable and other major infrastructure projects being rolled out across NSW. 
She said the discussion was to ensure the projects leave long-term intergenerational legacy benefits to the regions hosting them as distinct from mitigation costs and landholder agreements.

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Renewables roundtable

What set this roundtable apart was both its scale and timing. Held in parallel with live parliamentary debate on renewable energy legislation, it created a rare opportunity for direct, real-time exchange between policymakers developers and those most affected by the transition, engaging with diverse – a on what fair and equitable community benefit should look like. 
Community benefit is described as the enduring social, economic, environmental and cultural value that’s created for a community as a result of renewable energy development, where local people share fairly in the opportunities and impacts. It can be a financial contribution from the developer or other benefits such as investment in local roads, housing and connections or cheaper power and internet, for example. 
“One of the big takeaways from the roundtable is that it was the community foundations themselves who were able to hold that space for those tricky conversations and drive them toward a positive outcome,” said Annabel Cussen, of CFAus. 
“It&#8217;s a significant step forward in showing the pivotal value of community foundations as social infrastructure – acting as trusted, place-based intermediaries capable of convening stakeholders who might not otherwise come together. It’s phenomenally exciting.” 
Insights from the roundtable directly informed an amendment to the legislation that introduced a review of how community benefit schemes are structured and delivered. The current NSW model requires local councils to administer 85% of benefits, risking inconsistency and limiting direct community impact. 
However, a revised legislative framework could empower community foundations to play a more formal role in distributing and stewarding community benefit funds, ensuring long-term social, economic and environmental value locally. In some areas, this cooperative approach is already well under way. 
The first roundtable, which was chaired by former CFAus CEO Ian Bird, brought together a group of around 18 participants plus other online, including key MPs. Discussions then focused on challenges within the emerging community benefits framework and concerns around how benefits were channelled. 
The roundtables demonstrate what is possible when community leadership, persistence and collaboration align. From a small initial conversation to influencing legislation in real time, it underscores the unique ability of community foundations to not only convene dialogue, but to shape outcomes that matter for communities navigating the energy transition. 
&#8220;This was a terrific example of collaboration across the community foundation network and shows the role that CFAus can play in supporting foundations in their advocacy with government and developers,&#8221; said Louise. 
If you would like to learn more about the Renewable Energy Impact Community and get involved, contact annabel@cfaustralia.org.au.

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Community foundations influence renewable energy policy in real-time as NSW parliament debated bill 

Community foundations roundtable contributes to renewables legislation in real time

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Annabel

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Break out session NCFF Melbourne

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The thread running photographs taken during our three days together illustrate an overarching threads of connection, shared insights and laughter. 

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