A new report and sector awards entries have highlighted collaboration as a big focus for the philanthropic sector, along with the impacts of rising cost-of-living.
Philanthropy Australia’s second annual Better Philanthropy Telescope report has taken the pulse of the sector to help identify the trends, issues and opportunities that will shape the giving agenda this year.
The community-created report outlines the local, national and world issues that philanthropists and not-for-profits will face together in 2024. More than 110 people from across the country responded to the Telescope survey.
In parallel, entries for the Australian Philanthropy Awards, which closed recently, were at a record number. Nominations were greatest in the ‘Collaboration’ award category.
Adam Ognall, Executive Director Engagement at Philanthropy Australia indicated that the report and awards statistics reinforced the importance of collaboration.
“Philanthropic funders are increasingly looking to partner with their peers as well as build stronger partnerships and long-term relationships with not-for-profits, communities and government.”
“Working together is seen as a vital way to address societal issues such as the cost-of-living crisis,” Adam said.
“Philanthropic funders are also nimble and can move swiftly as new issues arise for not-for-profits on the frontline, as demand for services increases.”
The Telescope survey responses identified the top 10 ideas that will matter in 2024:
- Funding collaboratively
- Partnering for impact
- Telling philanthropy’s story
- Focusing on impact
- Responding to growing need (cost-of-living crisis)
- Investing with impact
- Valuing relationships for the long term
- Building capacity in lean times
- Applying AI
- Powering impact with data and evidence
The big issues:
- Cost-of-living crisis
- Climate
- First Nations
- Policy direction
- Global events
