Dozens of scholarships awarded to advance philanthropic practice across Australia
Changemakers from across Australia have been awarded dozens of scholarships by the Centre for Social Impact to undertake a short course through its flagship philanthropy program, The Giving Academy.
Awarded through a highly competitive process, the scholarships recognised 29 individuals working across philanthropy and the broader not-for-profit sector who are committed to strengthening how resources are directed for lasting community benefit.
Made possible through the support of Minderoo Foundation and Equity Trustees, the scholarships form part of a multi-year commitment to strengthening philanthropic practice across Australia, removing financial barriers and expanding access to high quality, practical, evidence-based learning.
Developed by the Centre for Social Impact in partnership with sector leaders, The Giving Academy delivers immersive short courses designed to build the skills, judgement and confidence required to build thoughtful, effective philanthropic partnerships.
The 2026 scholarships were awarded across five key eligibility categories including First Nations communities, gender-diverse individuals, those contributing to climate-related work and practitioners from smaller organisations with limited access to professional development opportunities. Recognising the critical role women play in shaping how giving happens in Australia, scholarships were also awarded to women working across the sector.
Centre for Social Impact Acting CEO, Rosemary Conn, said the calibre of this year’s recipients reflects a strong and growing commitment to advancing philanthropic practice in Australia.
“These scholarships are about investing in people who are already contributing to positive change and equipping them with the tools to deepen their impact,” she said.
“As the demands on the philanthropic sector continue to rise, building capability across the ecosystem is critical to ensuring resources are used in ways that are thoughtful, strategic and responsive to community need.”
For recipients, the opportunity represents both recognition and a chance to accelerate their contribution to the sector.
Scholarship recipient, Laura Potts is a Program Manager at The Fogarty Foundation, an organisation dedicated to expanding educational opportunities in Western Australia.
"I'm so honoured to receive this scholarship. I've been working in Australia's philanthropic space with a lot of passion but also a lot of questions. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to do formal training that will help me better understand the nuances of the Australian giving climate and how it compares and contrasts with international philanthropic and charitable work,” Laura explains.
“I'm so excited to deepen my understanding of effective giving and strategic philanthropy; and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to bring that learning directly back to my organisation and influence the programs and initiatives that I manage.''
“I feel so fortunate to be joining a cohort of people who are serious about doing [philanthropy] well, and to bring these frameworks and insights back to shape the work we do."
The Giving Academy offers two core courses — Effective Giving and Giving in Complexity — supporting participants to move beyond reactive approaches and develop more intentional, evidence-informed strategies.
With The Giving Academy courses now officially underway, it marks an important step in building a stronger and more impactful philanthropic sector.
For those interested in building their philanthropic practice, enrolments for The Giving Academy are now open, with places available in upcoming courses. Click here to view upcoming dates.