Registration and pricing
Masterclasses are ticketed separately to the core Conference.
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$500 for 1 x Masterclass (morning or afternoon and networking lunch)
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$750 for 2 x Masterclasses (morning and afternoon and networking lunch) ​
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Registrations for Masterclass Monday are now open. Places are limited and expected to fill quickly.
Masterclass Monday Program Overview
Leadership
Governance
AI
Partnership
Influence
Campaigning
Structures
Evidence
Morning
(9.30am - 12.30pm)
The evolving regulatory environment and unpacking the new community charity category
Philanthropy Australia & Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
From giving to partnering: practising genuine philanthropic partnership with First Nations organisations
Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI)
Activating your corpus for impact: A beginner's masterclass 
Foundation Group for Impact Investing (FGII)
Inside philanthropy: why successful partnerships start from the inside out
Nigel Harris & Associates
The power of structure: A practical masterclass for philanthropists and advisers
Australian Communities Foundation & Generous You
Measuring, Learning and Adapting for Impact
Huber Social & Clear Horizon
Networking Lunch (12.30pm - 1.30pm)
Afternoon
(1.30pm - 4.30pm)
Leadership lessons from the frontlines of social change
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
Capital with consequence: governing generosity for long-term impact
Govern for Purpose
AI beyond the hype: what's real, what's next and what philanthropy can do
Social Ventures Australia
From confetti to concentration: The highs, lows and lessons of strategic philanthropic pivots
Westpac Foundation & BHP Foundation
Making the most of your giving
Australian Philanthropic Services
Funding what works - and making it work
Effective Altruism & Centre for Evidence and implementation
Morning Masterclasses
9.30 AM - 12.30 PM
3 hours / Leadership
Courageous leadership for complex times
Audience: Trustees, board directors, not-for-profit CEOs, executive leaders
Content level: Intermediate to advanced
Facilitators:
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Joanna Kerr, Founder & Principal, NutHatch (Canada). Conference plenary speaker.
Outline:
Leadership has never felt more demanding. This interactive masterclass lead by Conference plenary speaker Joanna Kerr, will explore what leadership requires when old systems are breaking down and new possibilities are emerging. Drawing on decades of experience leading global organisations, social movements and philanthropic institutions, Joanna Kerr shares practical tools to help participants navigate uncertainty, work with tension and paradox, and lead with greater courage and confidence. Participants will explore how to strengthen themselves, their organisations and the systems they seek to influence, leaving with fresh perspectives, practical tools and renewed hope for the future.
3 hours / Governance
The evolving regulatory environment and unpacking the new community charity category
Audience: Trustees, board directors, leaders of funders and not-for-profits, philanthropy practitioners and policy and advocacy professionals
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Krystian Seibert, Executive Director, Policy and Sector Development, Philanthropy Australia
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Alice Macdougall , Special Counsel, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Outline:
This session unpacks the evolving regulatory landscape affecting charities and philanthropic vehicles in Australia. With a focus on recent developments, including the planned increase to the minimum distribution for giving funds and the new community charity category, including changes to the category announced in the recent Federal Budget, this interactive and engaging session will share practical tips for navigating these and other regulatory shifts. With a strong emphasis on understanding the strategic context and possible future directions for reform, this workshop will provide practical and relevant insights for participants.
3 hours / AI
Responsible AI decision lab: Governing AI in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sector
Audience: Executive and Senior Leaders
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Sophie Souchon, Digital Transformation Manager, Infoxchange
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Matt Lawrence, Training Program Designer & Manager, Infoxchange
Outline:
This practical masterclass supports leaders to adopt AI responsibly. Unpacking the National AI Centre’s framework, 'AI 6 for Leaders' framework, it focuses on how to build robust governance, risk and decision-making in real-world contexts. Participants will engage in a hands-on ‘Responsible AI Decision Lab’, stepping into the role of decision-maker to assess risks and determine appropriate AI pathways. The session builds confidence in navigating emerging technologies and implementing AI responsibly.
3 hours / Partnership
From giving to partnering: Practising genuine philanthropic partnership with First Nations organisations
Audience: Funders, trustees, board directors and advisers, particularly those working with or seeking to invest in First Nations communities and organisations.
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Ragina Rogers, CEO, Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI)
Outline:
This masterclass explores partnership through an Indigenous governance lens. The philanthropic sector is increasingly recognising that meaningful impact requires moving beyond transactional funding towards genuine partnership with First Nations organisations. But what does this shift require in practice? Participants will examine how cultural authority shapes decision making, what trust-based funding requires of funders and how philanthropic practice can better support First Nations self-determination. Through practical scenarios and discussion, participants will leave with practical tools to embed more culturally grounded approaches into how they fund, report and relate.
3 hours / Influence
Activating your corpus for impact: A beginner's masterclass
Audience: Philanthropists, foundation teams, trustees and advisers
Content level: Beginner
Facilitators:
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Sara Parrott, Chief Executive Officer, Hand Heart Pocket, and Steering Committee Member of Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII)
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Ingrid Albert, Executive Director, Alberts | The Tony Foundation and Steering Committee Member of Foundations Group for Impact Investing (FGII)
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David Hetherington, Chief Executive Officer, Impact Investing Australia
Outline:
This introductory masterclass is for those who want to supercharge their mission through impact investing and better understand how to deploy capital to generate measurable positive change alongside varying financial returns. It will provide a practical overview of approaches including responsible, impact and catalytic investing, and the financial mechanisms that are used. Governance, decision-making frameworks and advisory relationships that can support this journey will be covered. Attendees will leave with an understanding of responsible and impact investing, practical real-life examples, insights into governance and implementation, and greater confidence identifying their next steps.
3 hours / Campaigning
Inside philanthropy: Why successful partnerships start from the inside out
Audience: Not-for-profits leaders, fundraising and advancement professionals, philanthropy practitioners and governors
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Nigel Harris AM, Nigel Harris & Associates
Outline:
Understanding philanthropy starts from the inside out. Strong philanthropic partnerships aren't built on compelling proposals alone, they're shaped by an organisation's leadership, culture, decision making and readiness to partner. This masterclass explores what experienced nonprofits need to know about philanthropy, while challenging participants to examine the internal conditions that enable meaningful external relationships. Through practical examples and candid discussion, we'll explore the organisational shifts that strengthen philanthropic engagement and invite participants to reflect on their own practice, challenges and opportunities, from the inside out.
3 hours / Structures
The power of structure: A practical masterclass for philanthropists and advisers
Audience: Philanthropists and Advisers (philanthropic, legal, accounting, finance)
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Carly Severino, Director of Community & Philanthropy, Australian Communities Foundation
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Dan Wortley, CEO, Generous You
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Amanda Sartor, National Manager, Active Philanthropy, Equity Trustees
Outline:
This masterclass provides practical guidance on choosing and using philanthropic structures effectively. Drawing on real-world experience, facilitators will connect purpose, values and legacy to the structures you choose. Explore key vehicles (including Private and Public Giving Funds, Charitable Trusts and Community Charities), when to use them, how they evolve, and their trade-offs. Build confidence engaging at different stages of the giving journey and leave with sharper judgement, practical insights and a shared language for effective philanthropy.
3 hours / Evidence
Measurement, evaluation and learning (MEL) that drives learning, adaption and systems change
Part 1: First 90 minutes
Audience: Senior leaders, professionals & practitioners
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Dr Jess Dart, CEO of Clear Horizon
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Anna Strempel, Lead Principal Consultant, Clear Horizon
Outline:
In this practical masterclass, we’ll explore how MEL is not just about measuring what happened — it’s about learning what to do next. Philanthropic leaders will learn how to use measurement, evaluation and learning to make better decisions, adapt when things change, and strengthen the impact of their work. We’ll move beyond measurement as a reporting exercise and look at how MEL can become part of strategy, culture and everyday practice — from individual grants through to portfolios and system-wide approaches. This session is for funders who want MEL to be useful, practical and powerful enough to support learning, adaptation and transformational change.
From self-fulfilling to fit for purpose: Best practice social impact measurement
Part 2: Second 90 minutes
Audience: Senior leaders, professionals & practitioners
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Michelle Macaskill, CEO, Huber Social
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Simon Vaughan, Head of Delivery, Huber Social
Outline:
This masterclass explores what best-practice social impact measurement looks like in today’s complex environment. Drawing on the Standards Australia ‘Measuring and Valuing Social Impact’ Handbook, it shows how to design systems that are genuinely fit for purpose. The session covers consistent measurement across diverse programs, integrity across scientific, ethical and cultural dimensions, and the use of data to inform decision-making. Participants will leave with practical steps to strengthen their approach and ensure resources are directed where they make the greatest impact.
Afternoon Masterclasses
1.30 PM - 4.30 PM
3 hours / Leadership
Leadership lessons from the frontlines of social change
Audience: Trustees, board directors, executives at funders and not-for-profits, and emerging leaders
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Jim Bildner, Chief Executive Officer, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation; Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School (USA). Conference plenary speaker.
Outline:
This masterclass draws on Conference plenary speaker Jim Bildner's decades of experience working with social entrepreneurs and changemakers around the world. Through stories, case studies and practical insights, it explores what effective leadership looks like in the social impact sector. Participants will examine decision-making, trust and leadership under uncertainty. They will leave with practical tools and fresh perspective to strengthen their leadership and impact.
3 hours / Governance
Capital with consequence: Governing generosity for long-term impact
Audience: Trustees and board directors at funding entities
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Melissa Macpherson, Executive Director, Govern for Purpose
Outline:
This masterclass will build on the existing governance expertise of Trustees and move the philanthropic governance conversation towards intentional capital stewardship that shapes systems and delivers enduring impact, and governing with greater discipline, trust building and foresight and accountability to fellow Trustees, funding recipients and end-users. Governance expert, Melissa Macpherson will draw on the experience in the room to strengthen and deepen the experience for all participants.
3 hours / AI
AI beyond the hype: What’s real, what’s next and what philanthropy can do
Audience: All
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Ramon Wenzel, Lead of AI Enablement, Social Ventures Australia
Outline:
This masterclass helps leaders cut through the AI noise to what is real now, what is coming next, what is overhyped, and what deserves human judgement. It explores implications for philanthropy including grantmaking, strategy, governance, service delivery, sector capability and where resources can make the greatest difference. Through grounded examples, guided discussion, live AI-enabled synthesis and space to test your own questions. Participants will leave with clearer language, sharper priorities and practical next steps for responsible action in your own context.
3 hours / Partnership
From confetti to concentration: The highs, lows and lessons of strategic philanthropic pivots
Audience: Corporate foundations and grantees to learn more about corporate philanthropy
Content level: Intermediate to advanced
Facilitators:
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Jane Calvert. Head of Community and Foundations, Westpac
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Amy Lyden, CEO of Westpac Foundation and Westpac Scholar’s Trust
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Sherrill Nixon, CEO Australian Schools Plus
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Muza Gondwe, Program Director, BHP Foundation
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Victoria Thom, GAICD, Country Director (Australia) at BHP Foundation
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Samantha Murray, Yika Wongutha Noongar woman, CEO Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA)
Outline:
This masterclass session will share the experiences of two corporate foundations and their partners on navigating pivotal shifts across strategy, partnerships and grantmaking, while seeking to build impact, trust and enduring value. The session will bring focus to how to listen to stakeholders, use evidence to drive strategy, align value creation models to your strategic goals, considerations for responsible exit.
3 hours / Influence
The certainty gap: How funders and not-for-profits can navigate uncertainty through government engagement, advocacy and strategic action
Audience: Trustees, board directors, leaders of funders and not-for-profits, philanthropy practitioners and policy and advocacy professionals
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Angus Crowther, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Tanck; Co-Chair, NEXUS Australia
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Rory Parker, Director, Tanck
Outline:
This masterclass explores how funders and not-for-profits can respond to increasing uncertainty. In a rapidly changing environment, it examines how advocacy, government engagement and strategic action can strengthen resilience. The session provides practical tools to influence policy, secure support and navigate complex systems. Participants will leave with practical tools to strengthen impact and create more sustainable outcomes in a rapidly changing world.
3 hours / Campaigning
She Gives campaign: Behind the scenes of the movement that is mobilising women across Australia
Audience: Board members, executives and intermediaries
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Melissa Smith, Founder & CEO, She Gives and Noble Ambition
Outline:
This masterclass offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s most significant philanthropic campaigns and learn about the strategy, communications and execution it took to deliver it. The masterclass will share practical reflections, lessons, and behind-the-scenes insights into building engagement, activating communities, and translating participation into action and impact. Participants will learn how storytelling, convening and research can mobilise giving at scale.
3 hours / Structures
Making the most of your giving
Audience: Philanthropists and Advisers (philanthropic, legal, accounting, finance)
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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David Ward, Executive Director, Australian Philanthropic Services
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Kate Stone, Head of Philanthropic Giving, Australian Philanthropic Services
Outline:
Designed for small, staffless foundations, this masterclass offers practical support to strengthen giving. It explores how to clarify purpose, set priorities, conduct proportionate due diligence and finding and assessing charities. A live case study featuring both funder and charity perspectives will highlight what strong partnerships look like in practice. Participants will leave with practical tools and greater confidence to give strategically and effectively.
3 hours / Evidence
The rational philanthropist: Using evidence and reason to give better
Part 1: First 90 minutes
Audience: All
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Grace Adams, CEO, Effective Altruism Australia
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Associate Professor Michael Noetel PhD, Chair, Effective Altruism Australia; Associate Professor in Psychology, University of Queensland
Outline:
This masterclass introduces a rigorous, evidence-based approach to philanthropy for those seeking to maximise their impact. For many, the hardest part of giving isn't deciding to be generous - it's deciding where that generosity will do the most good. Participants will work through decision-making frameworks that account for cost-effectiveness and ‘neglectedness’ – two metrics frequently overlooked in traditional philanthropy. Through case studies, attendees will learn how to vet evidence without being a data scientist, and build a portfolio that prioritises outcomes without losing the joy of generosity.
Investing in the ‘how’ as well as the ‘what’: Implementation fundamentals for better philanthropy
Part 2: Second 90 minutes
Audience: Senior leaders, professionals & practitioners
Content level: All levels
Facilitators:
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Dr Melinda Polimeni, Director, Centre for Evidence and Implementation
Outline:
This masterclass introduces implementation science as a critical component of effective philanthropy. While many focus on what to fund, less attention is given to how initiatives are delivered, sustained and scaled. The session explores why strong ideas alone are not enough and how implementation challenges can limit impact. Through practical insights, it builds understanding about how grantmaking that can deliver more effectively, equitably and help translate innovation into real-world impact.