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Philanthropy, Systems and Change: perspectives, tools and stories - Melbourne

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THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT - there are still tickets available in Brisbane, Sydney & Adelaide.

Book your place at Philanthropy Australia’s first Thought Leadership event in 2020, to join keynote speaker Emily Tow, President of The Tow Foundation (USA).

Emily will share her experience as an active systems change philanthropist and her commitment to supporting advocacy as a key to achieving social change. Under Emily’s leadership, The Tow Foundation has promoted solutions to a more equitable, fair and safe criminal justice system in Connecticut, New York and across the United States.

Emily will be joined by an expert panel of local speakers at events in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.

Melbourne's Panel

Emily Tow

Emily Tow is president of The Tow Foundation, a private family foundation with $220 million in assets and approximately $20 million in annual giving. An innovator, changemaker and award-winning philanthropist, Emily leads with the Foundation with a highly collaborative approach. Emily oversees the strategic direction of the Foundation through cultivating its collaborative efforts, shaping major initiatives, and setting long-term objectives, and speaks nationally and internationally about the Foundation’s work, its commitment to advocacy as a key to achieving social change, and the value of family philanthropy.

Jess Dart

Jess Dart - Inventor of practical methodologies and highly demanded facilitator, Jess navigates complexity with comfort and helps her clients to clarify their desired outcomes and how to get there. Jess has over 25 years’ experience in evaluating and designing social change initiatives in Australia and overseas. She is passionate about developing real-world evaluation and strategy for social justice and sustainability. In particular, she works with several philanthropies that are funding systems change interventions, large-scale strategy, and social innovation.

Caitriona Fay

Caitriona Fay is the General Manager – Community and Social Investment at Perpetual Private. With over a decade of philanthropic and grantmaking experience in both Australia and Europe, Caitriona has an extensive understanding of national and international funding approaches and mechanisms. As an inaugural team member of the Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP) research project, Caitriona possesses a high level of understanding relating to the trends and challenges in the philanthropic sector within Australia.

This event will surface insights through stories of change globally about how philanthropy is evolving to influence systems. In addition to sharing how working with the Justice System to reduce incarceration rates links to health systems. Carolyn Curtis, CEO, TACSI will discuss ‘Philanthropy, Systems and Change’ an innovative report comprised of a collection of unique stories and tools to support foundations in growing the mindsets, behaviours and practices that enable systems change.

Part of this event will be a hands-on workshop with Chris Vanstone, CIO, TACSI exploring some of the reflection tools in ‘Philanthropy, Systems and Change’ concluding with a panel discussion with Philanthropy and NFP leaders in each State.

This event is suited to;

  • Philanthropists and Foundations that are active in systems change work
  • Philanthropists and Foundations that are beginning to work this way or are interested to learn more
  • Charities/non-profits that work in systems change: with either positive or negative experiences
  • Charities/non-profits who would like to know how to engage funders effectively in supporting system change
  • Systems change influencers and government active in systems

Thank you to our generous venue host, Perpetual Limited.


Important attendee information:

At Philanthropy Australia, the safety and wellbeing of our team and community is our highest priority. With the global spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we ask that our team, our members and our visitors take extra care. If you have left or transited through any of the DFAT listed countries of high risk in the last 14 days, you should isolate yourself for 14 days from the date of leaving that country. If you have been in close contact with a proven case of coronavirus, you should isolate yourself for 14 days from the date of last contact with the confirmed case. We ask that you please refrain from attending our Philanthropy Australia events or offices, or notify us immediately if this has only become apparent recently, after being at one of our events or offices. If any of Philanthropy Australia’s business activities are impacted, we will communicate these changes with as much notice as possible. For the latest information on the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 please visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.


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