New Philanthropy Australia report to launch this week

A new report will launch this week that is said to change the way philanthropy is viewed in Australia.

Philanthropy Australia and the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney are the researchers behind US Foundation Funding in Australia.

“The report does much more than provide some interesting information—it also exposes the “data deficit” we have when it comes to Australian philanthropy. We have nothing like Foundation Centre’s database, which maps grants by U.S. foundations,” Sarah Davies, CEO of Philanthropy Australia, wrote in the report.

“The fact is we know more about the granting practices of U.S. foundations and their Australian grant recipients than we do about Australian foundations. Philanthropy Australia believes that this needs to change.”

Dr. Bates Gill, Professor at USSC, said “The present report delivers a new level of understanding about the U.S. philanthropic sector by detailing past and present U.S. foundation giving in Australia, identifying important trends in U.S. philanthropy, and demonstrating the value of transparency, accountability, and information sharing within the social sector.”

The report stated that between 2011 and 2013, the largest proportion of grants awarded to Australia focused on health. Health-focused grants accounted for $40.5 million in giving, comprising 43 per cent of total grant making.

“In Australia, as in the U.S., the NGO community is a key driver of positive social change through programs, advocacy, and research,” said the report.

“NGO sustainability is another concern expressed by both U.S. and Australian funders.”

The report identified more transparency, better communication and stronger collaborations as important long-term goals.

President of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Stephen Heintz and Brad Smith, President of the Foundation Centre will be representing the US philanthropic sector on the day of the launch.