The Philanthropic Impact Pioneers Program – what is it?

/ News / By

The Philanthropic Impact Pioneers Program (PIPP) is hosted by the Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre and the Menzies Foundation to help participating organisations
improve their philanthropic practice through a combination of expert advice and peer learning. It also intends to share its learning and provide a
roadmap that can be followed by other grantmakers seeking to improve their practice.

PIPP began as a direct response to the limited uptake of social impact strategy, measurement and management in the Australian philanthropic sector. The
program is working towards a greater level of evidence-led, impactful and effective giving in Australia.

Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practise Model

In 2014 we asked the not-for-profit (NFP) and the philanthropic sectors what their practice looked like, and where they thought they needed the most help.
We published the answers in 2018 as the Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practise Modelreport.

The report shows that there were differences in perception between NFPs and grantmakers about the extent to which NFPs could talk with grantmakers. Significant
discrepancies exist between the support needs identified by NFPs and what grantmakers were funding. This stemmed from the lack of accountability and
low transparency for philanthropic organisations.

Steps towards better impact for philanthropic giving

Better Strategy

Few philanthropic organisations have an impact-based strategy around giving. The distribution of money is their end goal rather than the first step in
their philanthropic practise. If the social impact of Australian philanthropy is to increase, this needs to change.

Better evidence

Both big data (quantitative measures) and thick data (qualitative measures) need to be used. Testing of strategic prototypes needs to be done to find out
exactly

Who, what, and where people are experiencing various disadvantages

Why and how people are being disadvantaged

How to work with communities to create actions and a solid base to work around shifting outcomes.

Our ambitions for the philanthropic sector

PIPP wants to enhance the Australian philanthropic sector by

  • enhancing trust networks and collaboration between Foundations
  • modelling learning and evidence-led practice in all parts of the sector
  • developing a cohort of collective impact leaders to act as reformers within the sector
  • building an accessible and local evidence base around the philanthropic journey to become a learning organisation
  • improving knowledge transfer and best practise adoption.

Our researchers

Dr Jodi York, PIPP Research Lead

Social impact researcher, advisor, and facilitator. Research fellow, University of Melbourne

Dr York works with mission-driven organisations and capital providers to tackle entrenched social problems and deliver deeper-impact – How to fund it,
how to create it, how to measure and communicate it, how to strategically manage it, and how to leverage networks to multiply it. She is co-author
of Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practise Model, and Actionable Impact Management.

Liz Gillies, PIPP Convener

CEO at Menzies Foundation, Honourary Research Fellow, University of Melbourne

Liz Gillies has over 20 years’ experience in a range of fields that compliment working for social impact. Liz joined the Melbourne Business School in 2009
and was instrumental in establishing the Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre (APSIC) and the Centre for Ethical Leadership. In November 2011 she was
selected as the inaugural research fellow to lead a three-year partnership between APSIC and the Trust Company which focussed on strategic philanthropy
and culminated on the release of the report Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practise Model.

Kate McKegg, PIPP Evaluation Specialist

Kate McKegg co-founded the Developmental Evaluation Institute, is the Director of the Knowledge Institute, and is a member of the Kinnect Group.

 

Related Posts

Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Coordinator

Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

LinkedIn | natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au

Sarah Jenkins

Strategic Communications Manager

Sarah has more than 18 years’ experience in communications and marketing leadership across a range of sectors.

Communications strategy and organisational growth is a continuing theme in Sarah’s career. Most recently, she leads the development of a Leadership Movement, evaluated by Menzies Viral Co-efficient Model; a contribution to the NFP. 

Sarah’s early career centred around best practice in marketing and communications which later culminated into the establishment of her very own agency. This work extensively spanned across PR, traditional media, event management, strategy, digital marketing, graphic design and business development consultancy. 

In 2019, Sarah joined the lean and robust team at the Menzies Foundation. She has since crafted the Foundation’s narrative and communication strategy. The development of this strategic communications platform is essential for ‘movement building’ and requires a strong strategic, management and communication skills set. Sarah has brought so much to this important work, which sits at the forefront of communication practice. 

Sarah continues to contribute to the NFP sector through her commitment to Purpose; as she reflects on her own leadership, builds her own leadership capability and contributes to the greater good. 

LinkedIn | sarah.jenkins@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0401 880 071

Rohan Martyres

Director, Strategy and Partnerships

Rohan has 15 years’ experience in facilitating cross-sector collaborations to address complex social and health challenges.  He has worked with the World Economic Forum in Australia, led an international conflict resolution field team in Nepal, and directed a 10-year £40m initiative to reduce health inequity in London.

Most recently, Rohan was Major Grants Development Manager at the Ian Potter Foundation.  He refined the foundation’s major grants strategy, and co-developed a series of large scale initiatives, including joint philanthropic-government funding for a new national organization to support place-based approaches across Australia.

Rohan has held several non-executive roles, including with an international NGO and with London Funders, the peak body of independent foundations in London.  He holds several qualifications including a graduate degree in innovation and strategy from the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

When Rohan isn’t exploring Melbourne’s creeks with his partner and 6yo daughter, he’s working on his currently weak Australian accent (after 15 years in the UK).

LinkedIn | rohan.martyres@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0404 505 954

Trudy Morrison

Operations Manager

A marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years experience in government, corporate and consumer marketing, Trudy brings her adaptive and organisational project management skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

With a BA degree in Public Relations, Trudy began her career with the City of Melbourne and in magazine publishing, before moving into marketing communications consulting. She has worked in strategic marketing leadership roles with retail brands and enjoys juggling many projects and tasks simultaneously. Her skills were further enhanced when managing her own communications business representing industries across private education, financial services, aviation, government and the health industry. 

Trudy is passionate about leadership and all people being encouraged to reach their full potential through research and educational initiatives and opportunities throughout Australia. A skilled and accomplished writer and editor Trudy is enthusiastic about bringing her variety of skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

LinkedIn | trudy.morrison@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0402 361 878

Liz Gillies

Chief Executive Officer

Liz Gillies has had over 25 years experience in a range of fields focused on initiatives for social impact. She has held roles in multiple sectors and academia.

In 2018, Liz was appointed CEO of the Menzies Foundation which aspires to build a leadership movement that supports Australians to pivot to purpose, build their leadership capability and contribute to the ‘greater good’.

Liz joined the Melbourne Business School in 2009 and was instrumental in establishing the Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre (APSIC) and The Centre for Ethical Leadership. In November 2011 she was appointed as research fellow to lead a partnership focused on strategic philanthropy which culminated in the release of the reports: Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model (2018) and the Philanthropy: The Continued Journey to Real Impact and better Practice (2021).

Liz has extensive governance experience, having served on the Board of the Publish Galleries Association of Victoria, Social Firms Australia, Uniting Care Community Options, United Way Australia and the Development Committee of the Towards a Just Society Foundation. She is currently on the Philanthropy Reference Group of Barmal Bijiril and a Director of Philanthropy Australia.

LinkedIn | liz.gillies@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0416 112 703

Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Coordinator

Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au