[Future Philanthropy] #29 Computer Science Concepts for NFP Governance
Curated global ideas & opportunities for future focused civic leaders...
Hi all,
10 years ago this month, I bombed on stage at SXSW. I thought it was my big break - the moment I’d share my passion for philanthropy and civic tech with an audience that could change everything. I had spent weeks perfecting my speech, obsessing over every word.
But the night before, doubt crept in. After watching other polished speakers, I panicked. Was I ready? Could I measure up? In a blur of anxiety, I rewrote everything, hoping to sound more impressive. Instead, I woke up exhausted, overthinking every line.
The talk was a disaster. I wasn’t in my element. My speech felt forced, disconnected, and I could see in the audience's faces that I wasn’t connecting. My wife was there too. I knew she was there to support me, but as I fumbled through my words, I could feel her embarrassment. Not for me, but for herself - watching her partner fall apart. It stung. I felt like I’d let her down more than I’d let myself down.
But here’s the twist...that moment of failure became a big learning for me and the foundation of everything that came after. In the weeks that followed, I took a hard look at what had gone wrong. The pressure I put on myself to be perfect had paralysed me. I was trying too hard to be something I wasn’t. I wasn’t just sharing my ideas; I was trying to perform. And people can tell when you’re not being authentic.
Instead of giving up, I decided to learn from it. I stopped trying to write perfect speeches (which is hard as a former speechwriter!). Instead, I created dot points to guide me, a loose framework that allowed me to be more agile, more present, and more authentic when I spoke. No more trying to sound smart or pretending to have all the answers. I started telling stories - stories that reflected my passion for civic tech, the impact of philanthropy, and the real human stories that powered both. Stories that connected.
Now, when I take the stage, I don’t focus on perfection. I focus on sharing. I focus on engaging. I focus on the authenticity that I found after bombing at SXSW. And that’s made all the difference (even though my Apple watch buzzes with notifications of elevated heart rates before I go up).
So yeah, it was a big break - but not in the way I expected. It was a breakthrough in understanding what it really takes to communicate in a way that matters. To not only talk but connect. The focus for speaking at conferences should be that people who gave up their time to listen, should go away from these speeches and panels with something worthwhile.
There are some talks I give that still don't quite hit the mark, but that's why I keep this photo I took before the session close by. A reminder that to fill a room is one thing, and to deliver is quite another.
Ryan
Recoding your nonprofit practices: Tech mindsets for internal improvement (2 min read)
Discover how tech concepts like refactoring and coalescing can help Australian not-for-profits strengthen governance, streamline operations, and boost impact through proactive internal improvement.
From Surplus to Social Good: How Smarter City Revenues Build Stronger Communities (4 min read)
Explore how city councils can unlock civic dynamism and community resilience by getting creative with revenue - not cutting services. From local investment to smarter spending, it’s time to reimagine what local government can do.
Top 3 LinkedIn Posts - March/April:
Knowledge brokers are fast becoming essential players in philanthropy
Unpopular opinion - there is no 'best practice' in philanthropy.
Ryan will next be speaking at:
Private Wealth Network Family Office Congress XVI - May 8: Exploring Best Practices in Philanthropy
National Homelessness Conference - June 17: Engaging Philanthropy in Ending Homelessness
Fundraise for Australia - Book Launch!
Excited to announce that we will be officially/finally launching Australia's first ever fundraising textbook, Fundraise For Australia on Wednesday 11th June, instore at Avid Reader in West End, Brisbane.
I will be in conversation with one of the absolute legends of our sector Dr Wendy Scaife to discuss the book, the future of fundraising and philanthropy in Australia, and everything in between.
Secure your free tickets here - https://avidreader.com.au/pages/11708-RyanGinard-FundraiseForAustralia
Pathways to Politics
We are currently in the midst of an Australian federal election campaign. Women currently hold just 37% of seats in Australia’s federal parliament — and that won’t change unless more women step up and are supported to lead. That’s where Pathways to Politics for Women comes in. With over 370 alumni and more than 50 women elected or preselected, the national program has delivered a decade of impact. Designed to build the skills, confidence, and networks needed to run for office, the 2025 program is expert-led, completely free, and now open for applications until 1 May. If you’ve been waiting for a sign — this is it. Or, if you know a future leader, send it their way. 👉 More info & to apply for the Queensland program (through QUT) here: https://trawalla.smartygrants.com.au/pathwaystopolitics2025QUT
Jobs
NQ Cowboys (my team!)
Are you a passionate fundraising leader ready to drive impact? Cowboys Community Foundation is hiring a General Manager – Fundraising & Partnerships to lead growth and build meaningful partnerships that change lives across North Queensland.
Strategic Grants are seeking a Grants Strategist & Client Manager to lead client engagement, grant writing, training delivery, and business development, helping nonprofits strengthen their grant-seeking capacity through strategic advice and support. Send me an email for more info - ryan@ryanginard.com
New Community Foundation :)
I’m excited to introduce the newly formed River North Community Fund of which I’m a part of - a local community foundation dedicated to inspiring lasting philanthropy and supporting a strong, resilient, and vibrant City of Moreton Bay and Brisbane North. As we prepare for our mid-year launch, we’ve already begun securing initial donations and are sharing out our vision through our new website RiverNorthCF. This year, we’re launching collective giving initiatives, community response efforts, and our first round of community grants in October. We're also co-designing programs with locals to ensure our work reflects community needs and aspirations to support our goals to empower local charities, foster civic leadership, and build a thriving culture of giving.
Fundraiser Appreciation Day Australia
Fundraiser Appreciation Day Australia is back for another year falling on Friday 4th July. The theme for 2025 is 'Count The Difference'.
This is the third year of this observance and occurs on the first Friday of July, which is the first Friday following the end of the financial year in Australia, and the end of a very important month for charities nationwide. June is the time when we see the highest levels of supporter generosity.
Fundraisers are vital in helping charitable organisations and nonprofit causes fulfil their missions by raising valuable funds and building lasting and transformative relationships with their supporters. Their commitment, skills and expertise in the sector are essential for driving social change, tackling societal challenges, and creating a better future for all.
How will you be celebrating your fundraising staff this year? Can't wait to see all the fun, cool, and innovative ways y'all will be celebrating your fundraisers this year :)
https://www.fundraiserday.com.au/
Speaking Op #1: The Call for Sessions for the CHANGE Philanthropy Unity Summit is now open! For nearly a decade, UNITY has brought together funders, organizers, and community leaders to strengthen movements, grow investment in communities, and advance justice. This October it will be held in Minneapolis - submit your session proposal by Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT - and spread the word!
Resource Op #1: The National Council of Nonprofits have created a page that tracks the recent executive orders on U.S. nonprofits and their federal funding implications. It also provides some resources to help inform them about the risks and impacts of each measure.
Job Op #1: Are you Minderoo’s new Advisor, Sector Development & Innovation?
An amazing position has just been created at Minderoo Foundation where you’ll be at the heart of strengthening and expanding the for-purpose sector ***Sydney/Melbourne Based***
Your role? Help build powerful networks, create valuable resources, and spark collaboration to help the sector grow, thrive, and make a lasting impact.
We’re in a pivotal moment in Australian philanthropy, a time where bold ideas and innovative funding models are gaining traction. But if we want to turn this moment into a movement - one that drives lasting social change and seeds the solutions of tomorrow - we need to invest in more than just individual initiatives. We need to support the entire ecosystem. That’s where this person comes in.
In this role, you’ll focus on capacity building, knowledge sharing, and forging strategic partnerships - all with the goal of ensuring sustainability and innovation in the field. You’ll connect with policymakers, funders, and institutions, raising awareness of key challenges and opportunities while advocating for sector-wide growth. By strengthening the infrastructure that supports our changemakers, you’ll be helping to lift the entire sector...because a rising tide lifts all boats.
Working closely with me, you’ll use your relationship-building skills to influence a diverse range of stakeholders. Plus, you’ll dive into research, crafting reports, white papers, and case studies that capture best practices and inspire action.
This is a very rare opportunity in our sector to help shape Australian philanthropy’s potential into real, lasting impact. If you’re passionate about driving change and shaping the future of the for-purpose sector, now is the time to step up and make a difference.
Please share with your networks and please feel free to reach out to me to discuss - 100% in confidence.
Also, wanted to note that research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and underrepresented/underestimated individuals only apply when they ‘tick every box.’ So, if you think you have what it takes, have transferable skills, are quick to learn, but don’t necessarily meet every single dot point on the job description, please apply.
Board Op #1: The Local & Independent News Association (LINA) is seeking a new Non-Executive Director with experience in areas like fundraising, journalism, digital media, or finance to help shape its strategic direction - applications close 28 April 2025.
What if philanthropy wasn’t about giving away money, but returning it? I read this compelling article on the Center for Effective Philanthropy blog recently and am steeling thinking about it now due to how cuts through philanthropy’s feel-good veneer to confront the moral complexity of how wealth is accumulated and distributed. Lisa Pilar Cowan powerfully reframes grantmaking not as generosity, but as a form of reparative justice - provoking readers to question the ethics of a system in which a privileged few control resources derived from historical and structural exploitation. Through personal reflection and provocative hypotheticals, she exposes the hidden narratives of extraction and exclusion that underpin much of philanthropy, urging a radical shift from "giving" to "returning." It's uncomfortable, honest, and deeply necessary. Well worth the read [linked]