Australia’s wealthiest women are leading a Philanthropic revolution
Philanthropy in Australia is entering a bold new chapter, led by some of the nation’s most influential women. A movement is gaining momentum as figures like Naomi Milgrom and Melanie Perkins unite their wealth and vision to amplify social impact. This collaborative approach marks a profound shift from traditional models of giving, focusing on targeted, strategic philanthropy that addresses deep-rooted societal challenges.
Key Takeaways:
Australia’s wealthiest women are pooling resources to maximise the impact of their giving.
Targeted philanthropy prioritises systemic solutions over short-term fixes.
Women have historically led philanthropic innovation, focusing on overlooked and transformative causes.
Collaborative giving sets a precedent for strategic philanthropy, encouraging others to engage with intention.
The legacy of women in philanthropy is long and transformative. From the early contributions of trailblazers like Caroline Chisholm, who supported immigrant welfare in colonial Australia, to today’s leaders redefining the scope of impact, women have continually harnessed their resources for social good. What has changed is the scale and strategic focus of these efforts.
Today, we see female philanthropists shifting from broad charitable efforts to high-impact, data-driven initiatives. Naomi Milgrom’s MPavilion project, for instance, funds world-class architecture - yet also cultivates public engagement, fosters education, and elevates Australian design on the global stage. Similarly, Melanie Perkins, co-founder of Canva, has pledged to donate a significant portion of her fortune to societal challenges, demonstrating the power of wealth directed by a clear mission.
This intentionality represents the next frontier of philanthropy. Rather than addressing symptoms, targeted giving seeks to tackle root causes. By concentrating resources on scalable solutions, philanthropists can make meaningful, sustainable differences in areas like education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and the arts.
“Women tend to shy away from talking about their own giving, and yet we know they play major roles in family foundations, and even just around the kitchen tables. It’s often women who say ‘we should really support X, Y and Z’”. - Paula McLean
The recent She Gives roundtable at Government House in Canberra brought together 50 of Australia’s most prominent women to champion a new era of female-led philanthropy. Hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn and featuring members of Australia’s wealthiest families, the gathering underscored the immense potential of women’s giving to address pressing social issues and reshape the nation’s charitable landscape. Spearheaded by Paula McLean and Melissa Smith, the campaign seeks to double philanthropy in Australia by 2030, focusing on financial contributions and the value of time and expertise.
The initiative is catalytic, as women are set to inherit an estimated $3.2 trillion in intergenerational wealth. That’s 65 per cent of the total. Yet, despite women making more tax-deductible donations than men, their stories often remain untold.
Participants like Kristy Muir, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, highlighted the deeper motivations behind female-led philanthropy. For Professor Muir, philanthropy is rooted in empathy and a sense of justice cultivated from a young age. Managing one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, she embodies the campaign’s ethos: harnessing wealth with humility and a commitment to systemic change. The She Gives movement not only celebrates these individual stories but aims to use data and collective action to galvanise a cultural shift in Australian giving.
It is important to remember that philanthropy’s potential doesn’t rest solely with high-net-worth individuals (despite the headline). The collaborative model championed by Australia’s wealthiest women can offer a lesson for everyone. Whether pooling funds with like-minded peers or strategically aligning with grassroots organisations, the impact of collective giving cannot be understated.
Peer-to-peer giving, such as giving circles, exemplifies the power of collaborative philanthropy. In these models, groups of individuals come together to pool their resources, share insights, and make collective decisions about where their funds will have the most significant impact. This approach is becoming more popular as a fundraising method. Not only does peer-to-peer giving amplify the total financial contribution toward a cause or organisation, but it also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose among participants.
Giving circles are particularly effective at supporting underfunded causes and grassroots organisations, ensuring that philanthropy reaches areas that may otherwise be overlooked.
If you’re in a position to give, think about how you can embrace a more strategic approach. Ask yourself:
What societal issues are you most passionate about solving?
How can your resources create sustainable, lasting change?
Who can you partner with to amplify your impact?
Philanthropy has always been more than money. Women have pioneered philanthropy by focusing on targeted, collaborative giving. Right now, Australia’s wealthiest women are having a moment.
To explore this movement in more detail, read the original article in the Australian Financial Review.
