Blog

Our purpose is your purpose.

Exploration of the learnings, teachings, and organisational philosophy that sits behind anyone who wants to have a real, simple impact.

Should we be quantifying social value?

Download the thought leadership report now.

Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

The Future of Giving*

Family offices and high-net-worth individuals are reshaping philanthropy with innovative tools like donor-advised funds and digital platforms. As younger generations and women take the reins, giving priorities are shifting towards sustainability, equity, and local causes. Discover how strategic philanthropy is evolving amid economic and policy changes.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Christmas giving… Sentiment or strategy?

Christmas appeals flood our screens every December, pulling at our heartstrings and wallets. But for philanthropists, the real challenge lies beyond the holiday sentiment. The need is year-round, and the impact of giving depends on sustained, strategic commitment. Let this festive season inspire not just generosity, but enduring change.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Our rights, our future, right now.

Human Rights Day, observed every year on December 10, marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Discover its history, significance, and why it remains vital in the pursuit of equality, freedom, and justice for all.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Australia’s wealthiest women are leading a Philanthropic revolution

Australia’s wealthiest women are leading a transformative movement in philanthropy, combining their resources and stories to drive systemic change. Through the She Gives campaign, this group of trailblazers aims to spotlight the power of women’s giving, encouraging more intentional and collaborative philanthropy. As Australia faces a historic transfer of wealth, 65% of which will go to women, this initiative is inspiring a new era of targeted giving that prioritises sustainable, measurable impact.

Discover how these leaders are redefining generosity and empowering a cultural shift toward smarter, more purposeful giving.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

The new currency of Philanthropy in Asia: Trust

Asia’s philanthropic sector is undergoing rapid growth, fueled by rising wealth and an increasing focus on social impact. But, as highlighted in a recent analysis, it’s not just financial resources shaping this new era of giving—trust-based philanthropy is emerging as a crucial pillar. Building trust between donors, communities, and implementing organisations is redefining how social change is achieved across the region. When stakeholders trust each other, the results can be transformational.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Power of storytelling

Translating purpose into real, tangible action often comes down to how well you tell your story. Storytelling is a bridge that connects your mission to the hearts of your donors, partners, and broader stakeholders.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

A better way to measure Social Impact

Social impact measurement is evolving. Traditional metrics like outputs and outcomes are no longer enough to fully capture the real change that organisations seek to make. This post explores the need for a more nuanced, human-centric approach to measuring social impact, focusing on long-term transformation rather than immediate outputs.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

The cost of non-compliance. Seventy charities face revocation

The ACNC has flagged 70 charities for potential revocation of their charitable status due to missed reporting. Compliance with regulatory requirements is crucial for maintaining public trust, tax benefits, and operational effectiveness. Here’s what you need to know and how to stay on top of your reporting.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Breaking the nonprofit starvation cycle: Fund what it takes

The nonprofit sector's relentless underfunding of overheads perpetuates a “starvation cycle,” inhibiting real, sustainable impact. To shift this, funders must rethink their approach, prioritising unrestricted, multi-year funding that truly supports organisations’ capacity to deliver change.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Balancing the bottom line(s)

In the evolving landscape of business, social enterprises have emerged as a powerful model that seeks to balance profit and purpose. These organisations have to balance a focus on financial returns and be equally committed to generating social and/or environmental impact (or another form of positive good in the world). However, achieving this balance is not without challenges. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset from traditional business models, where profit maximisation often takes precedence over other considerations or a fundamental shift in mindset from traditional hand-out charity models, which rely solely on donations.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Aus-Asia philanthropy trends update

Philanthropy across Australia and Asia is witnessing significant transformations characterized by increased collaboration, innovative approaches, and a growing focus on cross-border giving.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Building Stronger Foundations

The demand for sustainable impact is rising in the ever-evolving landscape of non-profits and social enterprises. Organisations are realising that to create lasting change, they need more than just goodwill; they need robust capabilities. That’s where capacity building comes into play.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Strategy Lessons from the Office of the CEO

Strategy is never a set-and-forget deal. The dynamic nature of our work demands regular reviews and updates. This isn’t about shifting goalposts but refining our aim towards them, ensuring our strategies remain relevant and impactful. So what lessons have we learnt from the Office of the CEO?

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Celebrating Half a Century: ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024

In 2024, Australia hosted the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, marking 50 years of diplomatic and economic relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This milestone event, held in Melbourne from March 4-6, showcased the evolving partnership between Australia and ASEAN, highlighting significant achievements and laying down the framework for future cooperation.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

The great wealth transfer

Navigating the seismic shift of the great wealth transfer, nonprofits face the imperative to adapt and thrive. With billions set to change hands from baby boomers to younger generations, organisations must refine their engagement strategies.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Voices of change

Youth movements and countless others led by young activists share a common thread: they are driven by a deep sense of responsibility for the world and a belief in the power of collective action.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Systems-Level Change

The call for meaningful change across various sectors has become louder and more urgent. Traditional approaches to solving societal problems often operate in silos, focusing on symptoms rather than the root causes. However, a revolutionary shift towards systems-level change is emerging, aiming to orientate efforts toward real, lasting impact.

Read More
Nicola Gibbs Nicola Gibbs

Reflections at the crossroads

Reflecting on the transformative journey of Southeast Asia over the past decade, it's clear that the region has certainly grabbed elements of all three paths in the most likely - and at times unlikely - manner. The foresight laid out in the McKinsey Global Institute's report "Southeast Asia at the Crossroads: Three Paths to Prosperity" has indeed manifested into tangible growth, reshaping the economic and social landscape of the ASEAN member states.

Read More