New philanthropy scholarships announced

New philanthropy scholarships announced as Australian charitable donations reach record high

More than 75 new scholarships will boost philanthropic leadership nationwide through The Giving Academy - Australia’s flagship learning program for the philanthropic ecosystem. The announcement lands against a backdrop of record charitable giving in Australia - now almost $19 billion annually - placing greater focus on ensuring those funds deliver meaningful impact.

Launching today, the scholarships are made possible by new multi-year commitments from Minderoo Foundation and Equity Trustees .

Developed by the Centre for Social Impact in partnership with sector leaders, The Giving Academy delivers immersive short courses that set a new benchmark for practical, real-world education in philanthropy. The program is designed to uplift philanthropic practice nationwide by equipping participants with the skills, judgement and confidence to use resources more effectively for long term community benefit.

Over three years, the scholarships will fund participation in a Giving Academy course for First Nations people, gender-diverse individuals, those working in climate-related initiatives, and staff from smaller philanthropic organisations with limited professional development funding.

CSI CEO Arminé Nalbandian said the new scholarships will help ensure the people best placed to strengthen Australia’s social impact ecosystem can fully participate.

“With $5.4 trillion expected to pass between generations over the next two decades, Australia stands at a pivotal moment for philanthropy,” she said. “In the face of complex global challenges, the question is not just how much is given, but how well. Building the capability to direct capital thoughtfully and effectively has never been more important.”

“Philanthropy requires more than good intentions; it carries great responsibility for people, communities, and our collective future,” she said. “Led by sector insights, we designed The Giving Academy to meet this challenge head-on.

“We’re deeply grateful to Minderoo Foundation and Equity Trustees for reducing barriers to participation and helping ensure the practice of philanthropy is informed by a broader diversity of perspectives, experiences and communities.”

Minderoo Foundation’s Effective Philanthropy Executive Director Kristen Stevenson said the partnership reflected Minderoo’s commitment to strengthening the sector from the ground up.

“We know that effective philanthropy requires deep listening, strong relationships and the ability to navigate complexity,” she said. “By supporting leaders and organisations who might not otherwise have access to opportunities like The Giving Academy, we strengthen the whole sector. Broader access means more diverse perspectives, deeper capability and ultimately more meaningful, lasting change.”

Equity Trustees’ General Manager for Philanthropy and Community Trustee Services Jodi Kennedy said the scholarships would help create a more level playing field.

“We chose to fund these scholarships because they open doors for those whose voices and leadership are essential to a more equitable sector — people who too often miss out on opportunities due to cost, not capability,” she said.

The Giving Academy offers two closely connected short courses - Effective Giving and Giving in Complexity. The program is tailored for philanthropic practitioners, foundation staff, family offices, trustees, wealth holders, philanthropic advisors, intermediaries, grant seekers and not-for-profit organisations wanting deeper insight into how philanthropy works.

Graduates of The Giving Academy are better equipped to:

• Design intentional, values aligned and fit for purpose giving strategies aligned and fit for purpose giving strategies‑aligned and fit‑for‑purpose giving strategies
• Move from reactive funding to thoughtful, evidence informed practice informed practice‑informed practice
• Respond effectively to complexity as contexts evolve
• Focus resources on long term, systemic change term, systemic change‑term, systemic change
• Engage constructively with partners, communities and collaborators
• Use influence, networks and learning to strengthen philanthropic impact

Applications for the scholarships open on 25 February 2026 - more information can be found here .