The findings of the Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model will have two types of impact: one direct impact on the organisations in the
philanthropy sector, and the other a potential knock-on impact not only on the beneficiaries but on social science research in Australia.
Giving better means what?
The first impact is obvious. Not for profits and philanthropic organisations have already been impacted by the findings of the report in that the problems
that were previously tacit and nebulous have been solidified and documented. It is now known and quantified that there is a power imbalance
between grantmakers and grantseekers. It is now known that there is a mismatch in funding priorities between grantmakers and grantseekers.
Now this is in the open, the sector has the chance to address the issues, which should lead to more aligned giving practises. If the philanthropy
sector has acted on the findings of the report positively, there can be space for grantseekers to engage in evaluation, sustainability, and growth
strategies. This should allow grantseekers to find better ways of helping their target beneficiary groups sustainably and with further reach. The
social benefits from more aligned giving practises are obvious.
The international angle
The innovations made by the philanthropists that take part in the PIPP learning journey will not only be setting an example for Australian philanthropy,
but for philanthropy worldwide. The challenges revealed in the Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model are not unique to Australia.
These challenges were also reflected in the 2013 New Zealand study Grantmaking in New Zealand: Giving That Works,
and various reports released by America’s Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the Centre for Effective Philanthropy.
Australia has the chance to be thought leaders in something that could literally change the world for the better.
