[Future Philanthropy] #27 - Futurists & That Future of Philanthropy
Curated ideas & opportunities for future focused civic leaders...
In this edition…
The case for Futurists in Residence in Philanthropic Foundations
3 new conference speaking ops for you to apply to (and one scholarship)!
Fundraise for Australia updates (& a get together in Sydney)…
Hi all,
While we are now in December, it won’t be my last eNews of the year as I feel I have a few more blog posts left in me that I’ll need to tie in a nice little bow for y’all.
The reason is that there is so much going on! I’m sure there will be a few end-of-year giving/#GivingTuesday reports to devour and comment on, and here in Australia there are two major reviews into philanthropy and the nonprofit sector which will truly determine the future of the field for the next decade and beyond. The first draft report came out last week of which I comment further on below, and the Department of Social Services is accepting public submissions up until the 20th of the month as it seeks to create a new blueprint for the sector.
However, change isn’t a given because there has been numerous reports into the field over the past 30 year with over 160 recommendations to government, yet only 21 implemented, with 113 unimplemented, and 33 partial or no longer applicable implementations.
So as the old adage goes in our line of work, there’s more to be done.
Ryan
P.S I also got to visit Government House for the first time as I graduated through the AmCham Australia 2023 Global Leadership Academy!
Fun fact: It was one of these sessions that actually spurred part of Nonprofit Moneyball when I looked at rebel talent in the social sector…
What I’m Writing
Shaping New Trajectories For Impact- The Case (and Benefits) of a Futurist in Residence For Philanthropic Foundations (10 min read)
In the world of social impact, the past decade has witnessed an unprecedented wave of change, and at the forefront of this transformative journey is Trista Harris, a philanthropic futurist who embarked on a mission to shape a more hopeful and equitable tomorrow.
Five years since the release of the groundbreaking book "FutureGood," Trista took the time to chat with me about the impactful outcomes and evolution of her work through the lens of her role as Futurist in Residence at the Robert Johnson Wood Foundation, and how other philanthropic institutions can benefit from adding similar roles to their team.
Report Gets Us To The Start Line, The Sector Needs To Get Us To The Finish (9 min read)
The long-awaited Productivity Commission draft report into philanthropy is out now! Get the 'inside track' here in what is a report that gives us all the parts to participate in the biggest generational wealth transfer in history, but not the shiny new car with a tank full of fuel many had hoped.
It's sensible, practical, and will require the fundraising sector to be heard and supported.
Check out my initial thoughts here...
Fundraise for Australia News
After a successful pilot we are excited to announce that we will be becoming more structured, purposeful, and impactful with the goal of identifying, recruiting and training up to 1000 new fundraisers by 2030.
The first step happened recently with the appointment of three new Directors in Rosheen Singh, Rosie O'Brien, and Michelle Chung ('23).
We are also excited to announce that applications for Cohort II will open in February - more to come, so watch this space!
Interested in learning more about the F4A program? Join F4A leadership and alumni for an end-of-year get-together in Sydney and to learn more about the application timeline for 2024, and why you should apply! Details here…
What I’m Sharing
Speaking Op #1: Speaker applications are now open for #GoodTechFest. They are looking for data or tech practitioners who are passionate about the impact they’re creating. Apply now to share your expertise with this dynamic community. Follow this link to submit your application…
Speaking Op #2: The AFP Greater Philadelphia Chapter is seeking proposals for its 2024 Education and Professional Development Calendar. They are particularly interested in two hour in person workshops and one hour webinars, as well as white papers, resources, and templates that can be shared with their membership and on their blog. Online RFP form is here….
Speaking Op #3: The Call for Presentations for the Impact Partner Summit 2024 is now open. Submit your session ideas here…
They’re looking for speakers from various domains and backgrounds to create a vibrant, diverse, and enriching experience for everyone involved in the Impact Economy.
Scholarship Opportunity: Thanks to generous support from The Rockefeller Foundation, The Frank Karel Scholarship to ComNet enables nonprofit staffers and communications-focused academics who would not otherwise be able to attend ComNet24.
Applications for the Karel Scholarship are now open. The application period will close April 22, 2024. Applicants will hear back during the week of May 13.
This conference is by far one of the best out there for those crafting those narratives of change. Apply now to join ComNet in Kansas City next year!
Community Licence Discounts: Cyber Monday has passed but Atlassian is still offering 50 - 75% discounts on paid editions of its products such as Trello. The special nonprofit link is here…
Final Thoughts…
Up to 46% of Australian jobs could be replaced by AI by 2030 according to a new expert report.
Australia needs an additional 100,000 digitally-skilled workers over the next year which experts say is going to need a coordinated, national investment bringing universities and industries together through a national AI initiative.
That is a big investment in upskilling which is essential, but we must also acknowledge a large number of folks will also move into the services industry - education, health care, and frontline support roles that are largely delivered by non-profit orgs.
I truly hope we see a measured approach to how we shape what our future job market looks like, so people can not only thrive in these new industries but also ensure no one is left behind should that not be the pathway they want to follow.