Conference 2026 program
Monday 7 September – Masterclass Monday
Tuesday 8 September - Conference day 1
Wednesday 9 September - Conference day 2
Thursday 10 September - Conference day 3
Friday 11 September – Field trip Friday
Program overview
Monday
7 September
8 September
Tuesday
Wednesday
9 September
10 September
Thursday
Friday
11 September
Breakfast side events
Breakfast side events
Breakfast side events
Masterclass Monday
(additional cost)
Masterclass Monday
(additional cost)
Dinner side events
Conference newcomer welcome
(optional)
Opening plenary
Welcome drinks
Plenary
Breakout session
Networking dinner
Plenary, Breakout sessions
Network and collaborative showcase
(funder/investor only)
Closing celebration
Field trip Friday
(member only)
Mobilising learning
Masterclasses | Monday 7 September
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Up to 16 masterclasses
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Limited places available
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Masterclasses will be sold separately to the Core Conference. Will be announced shortly.
Masterclasses are immersive three-hour workshops led by experienced practitioners and sector leaders. They provide professional development for those working across the philanthropy and social impact ecosystem, blending practical skills, real-world examples, emerging approaches and peer learning.
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Who are they for?
Participants who want to grow their impact: trustees, board members, managers, philanthropic advisers, emerging leaders, fundraisers and strategists. Participants will come to learn, share and elevate their practice in shaping the future of giving.
Mobilising connection
Newcomer welcome | Tuesday morning 8 September
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For those who are new to the sector
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Limited places available
This welcome session will help participants start the Conference with clarity and connection. Designed as a warm, informal introduction to Philanthropy Australia, the philanthropic sector and the Conference, this session will help you feel informed, confident and ready to get the most out of the days ahead. Morning tea is included, along with time for relaxed networking to help you connect with fellow participants, discover shared interests and begin forming valuable connections.
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Who is it for?
Newcomers to philanthropy or Philanthropy Australia, first-time conference attendees or anyone seeking guidance on how to get the most from Conference.
Registration for this event is part of the Conference registration.
Mobilising generosity
Plenary sessions | Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 - 10 September
Plenary sessions bring our entire Conference community together to engage with big ideas, bold questions and diverse perspectives shaping philanthropy today. Grounded in the Conference’s four streams, the sessions will feature high-profile keynote speakers, sector voices, dynamic panels, lightning talks and interactive opportunities. The plenaries anchor the program and set the tone for meaningful convening over the week. They invite reflection, spark new thinking and inspire collective ambition.​
Who are they for?
All participants.
Mobilising ideas
Breakout sessions | Wednesday and Thursday
9-10 September
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​Up to 30 Sessions
Breakout sessions are the engine of the Conference, where participants dive into ideas, challenges and innovations shaping philanthropy and civil society today. Led by sector partners, practitioners and changemakers, these sessions run concurrently, allowing participants to curate their own Conference journey. Formats range from panels and fishbowls to world cafés and interactive discussions, each offering opportunities to learn from peers, ask questions and challenge assumptions. Each 70-minute session includes dedicated time for audience participation.
Who are they for?
All participants.
Mobilising action
Network and collaborative showcase | Thursday Afternoon, 10 September​
A new addition to Conference 2026, the network showcase brings participants together around a shared topic, theme or area of practice. They are an opportunity for participants to find and connect with their tribe working on similar challenges and opportunities.
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Who are they for?
They are an easy entry point for funders/investors wanting to join existing initiatives or communities of practice.
Mobilising in the real world
Field trips | Friday 11 September
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Up to 8 field trips on offer
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Limited places available
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Exclusive offer for Impact and Engage members only
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Registrations will open separately for field trips
Participants are invited to step in to Queensland communities, landscapes and cultural spaces and experience philanthropy in action. There will be curated site visits for immersive learning about local leadership, innovation and community-driven projects across social, cultural and environmental spheres. Meet with local changemakers, see community-led projects firsthand and gain deeper insight into the impact of philanthropic partnerships on the ground.
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Who are they for?
Philanthropy Australia Impact, Engage (individual) and Engage (organisation) level members.
Mobilising connection
Side events | Variable times
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Participant Led
Philanthropy Australia has left space around the core program for participants to organise their own breakfast and dinner events. We will share a list of local cafe and restaurant recommendations, including social enterprises and for-purpose venues.
Who are they for?
All participants. If you’d like to open your breakfast or dinner side event to fellow attendees, please complete the form at the link below and we will promote it on our website.
