What we do

1. We work with and inspire philanthropists to build their capacity to give more and give effectively by providing a safe space to explore their approach to giving and develop potential collaborations.
2. We strengthen the philanthropic sector’s skills and knowledge in environmental giving by connecting funders with trusted experts and information, and opportunities to network and learn.
3. We build the profile of environmental giving in philanthropic and other sectors.
4. We focus on growing philanthropy and investment for a sustainable Australia.
5. We showcase innovative approaches to giving, collaborating and addressing environmental and climate issues.

How we work

Our work is underpinned by our belief that philanthropy combined with excellent science and powerful changemakers can catalyse real and lasting positive change.

We work with the country’s 900-strong network of community organisations and changemakers — the powerhouse behind the change we seek. These organisations are the voice of our natural environment. They can show Australians how to personally contribute to sustainability. They can advocate for better policy and legislation to protect our environment. And they can demonstrate how change can happen — fast. With funding behind them, these organisations can achieve a world where people and nature thrive.

We also partner with Australia’s scientific and academic experts, many of whom are recognised globally for their contribution to research and practice in conservation and sustainability. And we ensure all of our work is based on latest national and international scientific data, including Australia’s State of the Environment reports.

Our values

• Our values guide how we work, partner, hold events and develop our strategy. We are:
  
• Ethical in all we do
• Respectful of our partners, practitioners, experts and each other
• Collaborative in the way we work and recognise outcomes
• Inspiring in our activities and outreach
• Sustainable in our day-to-day work
• Ambitious in our programming
• Focused in our strategy
• Innovative in our thinking
• Respectful and acknowledging of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Our strategic plan

Our new three-year strategy, Giving Our All, charts a course to make this vision a reality — and there’s no time to lose. We are living through the most critical decade for the planet, and what we do now matters more than at any other time in history.

Escalating challenges, rising ambition

Our strategic plan details ambitious goals commensurate with the threats we face, and a series of bold initiatives to realise our vision. Our ultimate purpose? To avert catastrophe and create a better world.

Find out more about our goals and how we plan to achieve them.

Our impact

Our strategic plan Giving Our All

We are now in the final year of the AEGN’s three-year strategy Giving Our All. This plan details ambitious goals commensurate with the environmental challenges we face, plus a series of bold initiatives to realise our vision for the future where our climate is stable, and people and nature thrive.

Integral to this plan is enhanced support for AEGN members to deeply understand and effectively act on these challenges using the full power of the network. To this end, our members have achieved some phenomenal wins in parternship with change-makers across the country, including:

• catalysing campaigns resulting in a renewable superpower breakthrough — the Australian Government’s “Future Made in Australia” policy package, unlocking billions of dollars worth of investment in clean energy, green exports and manufacturing;
• New Vehicle Efficiency Standards passed federal parliament, and are expected to increase uptake of electric vehicles and reduce passenger vehicle emissions by up to 60% by 2030;
• influencing AGL’s unprecedented board renewal and accelerated exit out of coal;
• purchasing ‘Ned’s Forest’, native bushland which was threatened by development, but was instead placed under a safe, not-for-profit, community ownership structure, ensuring its long-term protection and is now recognised as a ‘critical refuge’ for wildlife with stewardship pathways for local young people;
• combining forces to fund the establishment of the Biodiversity Council;
• leveraging shareholder advocacy, leading to Woodside’s climate strategy being rejected by 58.4% of investors, in a ‘globally unprecedented’ and highly publicised rebuke;
• significantly improving national residential energy efficiency standards;
• helping to secure meaningful changes to the Australian Government’s emissions safeguard mechanism;
• playing a catalytic role in the establishment of the Australian Government’s national Net Zero Authority that will help communities transition away from fossil fuels to clean industries;
• stopping development of Toondah Harbour in Moreton Bay, Queensland, on environmental grounds;
• influencing the decision to end native forest logging in Victoria ten years earlier than previously planned;
• successfully advocating for the release of federal funding for over 1,000 new Indigenous Ranger positions around Australia, with an emphasis on new female Ranger roles; and
• funding reforestation and other large-scale nature protection and restoration projects in partnership with Traditional Owners across the country.

Following is a summary of how we’re tracking more broadly against our strategic plan’s three main goals.

Growing our impact

We are growing the amount and impact of giving to climate and the environment.

• We’ve launched Australia’s first-ever Climate Lens tool in partnership with Philanthropy Australia.
• We’ve launched the Nature Funding Framework, presenting priorities and opportunities for our members to protect, restore and manage nature and realise the full potential of their giving.
• We’ve optimised the Project Clearinghouse and Showcase — including by facilitating roundtable discussions between members and peer-approved strategic organisations. 84% of Project Clearinghouse projects posted in FY24 (worth $21.1M) went ahead with member funding. AEGN members contributed at least $7,687,038 to Clearinghouse projects in FY24, compared to FY23 where 81% of projects proceeded with AEGN member contributions of $6,018,526.
• We’ve established a First Nations Wisdom Group to help guide our activities and programming for greater impact.
• We’ve published the AEGN’s annual Environment and Climate Change Giving Trends Report, summarising megatrends influencing best practice in climate and environmental giving.

Growing our influence

We are growing our profile and influence to be the go-to organisation for environmental giving.

• We’ve leveraged the Climate Lens to boost our exposure to philanthropists beyond the AEGN’s membership and strengthen our role as a respected thought leader on environmental giving.
• We’ve secured coverage in national and sector publications and newsletters.
• We’ve developed an outreach strategy to lead recruitment efforts, resulting in 23 new members joining the AEGN in 2023/24.
• We’ve recruited an advocacy manager (Jess Feehely) to lead our strategic advocacy program, along with delivering 4 x AEGN Member Briefing Papers and 7 x Government Policy Submissions, including a response to the Productivity Commission’s Future Foundations for Giving draft report, a response to the proposed package of Nature Positive Laws and a submission on the Climate Change Authority’s Targets, Pathways and Progress Issues Paper.
• We’ve launched a podcast focused on effective giving for climate and environment.
• We’ve launched a new corporate philanthropy program.
• We’ve strengthened relationships with philanthropic intermediaries and other aligned organisations and peaks bodies including Philanthropy Australia; Australian Land Conservation Alliance; Climate Action Network Australia; Groundswell Giving; Australia Philanthropic Services; Equity Trustees; Mutual Trust; Perpetual; and international grantmaker networks.

Strengthening our organisation

We are strengthening our trusted, connected and respected organisation.

• We’ve hired twelve new staff members with outstanding skills and experience.
• We’ve implemented new technology and internal systems to improve our efficiency and effectiveness.
• We’ve recruited a new CEO who is well-connected and widely regarded as a thought leader in climate change and protecting our planet.
• We’ve surveyed our membership and developed a comprehensive measurement and evaluation framework.
• We’ve achieved a 94% member renewal rate (2023/24).
• We’ve recruited outstanding First Nations leaders to a Wisdom Group.
• We’ve developed annual giving and member targets.
• We’ve recruited fantastic members to a range of steering committees, ensuring a member voice through key activities and projects.

Our supporters

We completely rely on our members for funding for our operations. We are deeply grateful to the many donors who have supported us over the years. We would like to thank:

Hero supporters $149,000 or more

• Morris Family Foundation
• Paul Ramsay Foundation
• Boundless Earth

Ambassador supporters $50,000-$149,000

• Blue Sky Environmental Trust
• Equity Trustees Equity & Empowerment Program
• Gum Tree Foundation
• Illawong Foundation
• Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
• Mat Whittingham
• Minderoo Foundation
• Rendere Trust
• Spinifex Trust
• The Ian Potter Foundation
• +1 other Ambassador supporters

Leading supporters $15,000 to $49,999

• ACME Foundation
• Carrawa Foundation
• Diversicon Environmental Foundation
• Ferris Family Foundation
• Harris Charitable Foundation
• Isaacson Davis Foundation
• Koshland Innovation Extension Fund
• Macdoch Foundation
• Melliodora Fund, Australian Communities Foundation
• Pater Charitable Trust
• Purves Environmental Fund
• Robert Hicks Foundation
• The Graeme Wood Foundation
• The Myer Foundation
• The NC & AG Youngman Trust

• Trawalla Foundation
• Trimtab Foundation

Sustaining supporters $5,000 to $14,999

• 5point Foundation
• Anna Josephson Foundation
• Australian Communities Foundation
• Bowness Family Foundation
• Brown Rochford Charitable Fund
• Christy Dowling and Douglas English
• Ethinvest Foundation
• Greengib Foundation
• Highgate Foundation
• Honnery Cahill Gift
• Josette Wunder
• Marg Henderson
• McAllister Family Foundation
• McLeod Family Foundation
• Naylor Stewart Foundation
• Nick Fairfax
• Norman Family
• Paul and Kate Saunders
• Purryburry Trust
• Rose Gilder
• The Duggan Foundation
• The Garry White Foundation
• The Goodman Foundation
• The Jaramas Foundation
• The Keith & Jeannette Ince Fund
• The Kimberley Foundation
• The Mullum Trust
• The Pecan Fund
• The Water Dragon Endowment
• The William Buckland Foundation
• Upotipotpon Foundation
• Vicki Olsson

• Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
• +1 other Sustaining supporter

+21 other supporters

Our pro bono partners

Arnold Bloch Leibler Lawyers and advisors

BoardOutlook
The AEGN uses BoardOutlook to conduct an annual board evaluation and performance activities. We have benefited from a pro-bono grant under the BoardOutlook not-for-profit program.

Supporting our work

The Sustaining Fund

The Sustaining Fund has been established to help build a stable and predictable income base for the AEGN. Donations to the Sustaining Fund are invested using ethical and environmental guidelines, and the fund is independently managed with a high level of commercial and financial prudence.

Generally, each year 10 per cent of the fund value will be contributed toward our annual operating budget. If you are thinking about spending down the funds in your foundation or you believe in building the capacity of the organisations you trust, we invite you to donate to the Sustaining Fund.

Donations of $50,000 or more are most welcome.

Contributors to the Sustaining Fund

Our heartfelt thanks to the following generous contributors to our sustaining fund:

• ACME Foundation
• Bindy Gross
• Garry White Foundation
• John Sevior and Rebecca Gorman
• Josette Wunder
• Limb Family Foundation
• Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation through ADP, ME and LA Martin Charitable Fund
• Myer family members – Yulgilbar Foundation, Kate & Stephen Shelmerdine Family Foundation, The Myer Foundation
• The Duggan Foundation
• The Ross Trust
• Rose Gilder
• Sue Mathews and Mark Burford
• The Jaramas Foundation
• Vicki Olsson
• Several anonymous contributors including the instigator of the $1 million sustaining fund challenge.

To find out more about making a three-year pledge to either our ongoing operations or to our sustaining fund , contact the AEGN’s CEO Claire O’Rourke at claire@aegn.org.au

You can also contribute directly to our gift fund:

Account details for deposits

AEGN Gift Fund
BSB: 313 140
Account: 1200 6345

Including the AEGN in your will

A truly lasting legacy can be made to the conservation of Australia’s environment by including the AEGN in your will. Your gift will continue the AEGN’s important work of inspiring and growing effective funding to the environment to ensure a future where our climate is stable, and people and nature thrive. The objects and purposes which bind the AEGN provide a framework for the use of all gifts we receive.

Suggested wording to leave a bequest for the AEGN:

“I give to the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) ABN 75 129 986 116, the sum of (insert dollar amount / percentage of my residuary estate) for its general purposes free of all duties and taxes payable upon or in consequence of my death and I declare that the receipt of its Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer or other authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.”

You may wish to express in a way which does not bind the AEGN to your preference for the gift to be directed to the Sustaining Fund:

“I give to the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) ABN 75 129 986 116, the sum of (insert dollar amount / percentage of my residuary estate). I express the wish but without creating any trust or imposing any binding obligation that my gift be used to support the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network’s Sustaining Fund free of all duties and taxes payable upon or in consequence of my death and I declare that the receipt of its Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer or other authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.”

We invite members to discuss their intentions with us and to seek advice from a solicitor when drafting a last will and testament. If you have already included the AEGN in your will, please let us know so we can extend our thanks for your extraordinary trust in and commitment to our work.

Governance

Past reports can be emailed or posted to you.

Our Board

Our team