Philanthropy Australia Conference 2026
The Philanthropy Australia Conference 2026 brings together more than 1,000 philanthropic, community and for-purpose leaders from Australia and around the world. Held in Brisbane from 7–11th September, the conference will explore how philanthropy can respond to growing social and environmental challenges and use generosity to create meaningful, long-term change. The conference will focus on learning, collaboration, innovation and connection, giving delegates the opportunity to share ideas, build relationships and consider how the sector can shape a stronger future.
Co-CEO of Community Foundations Australia, Georgia Mathews, will be speaking in Breakout Session 1 discussing; From good intentions to collective power: scaling gender equity. This will provide an opportunity to hear directly about the role of community foundations and how they can mobilise local generosity to create meaningful community impact. Panelists in this session include:
Georgina Byron AM, CEO, Snow Foundation
Kristy Muir, CEO, Paul Ramsay Foundation
Loredana Fyffe, CEO, Sydney Community Foundation
Georgia Matthews, Co CEO, Community Foundations Australia
More information can be found via the link below.
We’re hiring!
Are you passionate about gender equity, community-led change and bringing people together to create impactful change?
Community Foundations Australia is looking for a Community Funds for Gender Equity Alliance Lead to help steward a growing national alliance of women’s funds, giving circles and Indigenous- and community-led philanthropic initiatives.
Find out more about the role and we would love to hear from you.
Women Deliver 2026 Conference
In April 2026, Melbourne hosted the Women Deliver 2026 Conference, the world's largest global gathering dedicated to advancing gender equality. More than 6,000 delegates from over 180 countries came together to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and explore solutions to some of the world's most pressing gender equality challenges, including gender-based violence, economic justice, climate action and First Nations leadership. The conference marked a significant milestone as the first Women Deliver conference to be hosted in the Oceanic Pacific region, providing an important platform to showcase regional leadership and collaboration.
As part of this global event, Community Funds for Gender Equity hosted a pre-conference gathering, bringing together funders, leaders and supporters to strengthen connections across Australia's gender equity ecosystem. Nearly 100 people attended the event that was buoyed with a real sense of momentum and positive energy. Stacey Thomas, Chair of Community Foundations Australia, emceed the gathering, and Loredana Fyffe, CEO of the Sydney Community Foundation, shared the journey and ambition of the CFGE. Georgia Mathews facilitated a panel with leaders experienced in gender equity and community funds, featuring Cherie Heslington, CEO of Aarnja, Jane Sloane, inaugural Director of the Global Policy Initiative with UNSW and Jess Tomlin, CEO of EqualityFund.
The launch also coincided with the announcement of a major funding boost from a coalition of 11 philanthropic foundations making a combined $32.8 million commitment over three years to back community-led solutions for women and children across Australia. The CFGE is delighted to be one of the initiatives receiving support through the Coalition of Funders for Women and Families, complementing the alliance’s own community philanthropy resourcing. The alliance will be supported with funding from the Snow Foundation and Paul Ramsay Foundation.
Community Foundations Australia National Forum 2026
In May 2026, Community Funds for Gender Equity attended the Community Foundations Australia National Forum in Melbourne, held on Wurundjeri Country at the historic Abbotsford Convent. Under the theme ‘Meeting the Moment,’ the forum brought together more than 200 community foundation leaders, philanthropists and practitioners from across Australia and internationally to explore how community philanthropy can respond to today's social, economic and environmental challenges through collaboration, local leadership and collective action.
As part of the program, Community Funds for Gender Equity presented to delegates, sharing insights into the role of place-based philanthropy in advancing gender equity. The presentation highlighted the importance of collaborative funding, community-led solutions and systems change, while contributing to national conversations about strengthening the gender equity ecosystem and creating lasting impact through partnerships and shared learning.
