Australian Philanthropic Services

Are you based in Perth and looking for a career that combines relationship management, problem-solving and purpose? We're hiring an Associate Adviser to help clients structure their giving, support the administration of giving funds, build relationships with professional advisers, and promote philanthropy across Australia. This is an opportunity to work alongside individuals, families and advisers who are committed to creating positive social impact, while developing your expertise in philanthropy, governance and the not-for-profit sector. If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now or share with someone in your network who may be a great fit! Follow this link: https://lnkd.in/gJ8zPRNH

As more families seek meaningful ways to support the wellbeing of future generations, Raising Superheroes is a new Australian documentary that puts a spotlight on the rising rates of anxiety, depression and self-harm among young people and explores how communities can create environments where children and teens are better equipped to flourish. Some APS clients have watched the film in pre-screenings. You can now attend the premiere in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Byron Bay this October.  Use code “PU” as a member of the APS community for 20% off tickets. Get tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eXcifRwW

Excited to spread the word on GiveSA's upcoming event on 21 October with Nedd Brockmann and Noah Yang. Take a run along the River Torrens and hear from them on their milestones and next steps.    Find out more on giving in SA below!

APS Foundation is now the largest and fastest growing public giving fund in Australia amongst its peers with more than 845 giving funds, totalling over $512 million. In FY2026, we helped our giving fund holders give over $36 million to charities they care about, a 30% increase in distributions on the previous year. Join us for a live webinar featuring Chris Cuffe AO, portfolio manager of the APS Foundation General Portfolio, David Wright, portfolio manager of the APS Foundation Focused Portfolio and APS Technical Director David Ward The session will cover APS Foundation's investment update and strategy, key market themes from FY26, drivers for portfolio performance, and the outlook for the year ahead.    Webinar details:   Date: Thursday 29 October 2026  Time: 12:00-1:00PM (AEDT)  Online via Zoom Register to attend the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gcKu4q_E

There’s something special about getting everyone in the same room.     It was so great to have our whole team come together from across Australia to share conversations, learning, connection and plenty of inspiration last month in our staff conference.      Some of our favourite moments:     - Hearing from our Board who shared their perspectives on leadership, governance and long-term stewardship, reflecting on how APS can continue to support clients as their giving becomes more ambitious, strategic and complex. - Joel Pilgrim GAICD of Waves of Wellness Foundation and Aruna Sathanapally of the Grattan Institute shared the impact philanthropy can have when donors, charities and advisers work together effectively, and the unique role philanthropic capital can play in supporting innovation, addressing complex challenges and investing in long-term change. - Our different teams and offices were able to deepen their understanding of each other’s roles by working through real-world client scenarios designed to strengthen collaboration, judgement and problem-solving. These sessions encouraged teams to draw on their collective expertise and consider how APS can continue to deliver an exceptional client experience in a changing environment.    Thank you to everyone who made the conference such a memorable experience. We came away energised, inspired and even more committed to helping Australians give with purpose and fulfill our mission in growing giving for good. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gk--Q9Vh

What if the biggest barrier to better giving isn't a lack of generosity, but the assumptions we bring to it? Australians carefully evaluate investments, compare mortgage rates, and spend years planning how wealth will transfer across generations. Yet when it comes to charitable giving, many decisions are shaped by assumptions that may be barriers to effective giving In a recent ifa (Independent Financial Adviser) article, APS's Fiona Higgins explores seven common misconceptions that can unintentionally limit charitable impact. 1. Bigger is better - Context matters. The same gift can have vastly different outcomes depending on an organisation's size, stage, and funding needs. 2. Overheads don’t deserve funding - Strong charities need capable staff, technology, governance, and measurement systems. Underinvesting in these essentials can ultimately reduce impact. 3. If you can’t measure it, it isn’t working- Research, advocacy, prevention, community building, and systems change often create long-term outcomes that don't fit neatly into a spreadsheet. 4. Disappointing communication is a dealbreaker - Disappointing communication can be an opportunity for donors to consider additional capacity-building funding to help fix the underlying problem. 5. Cash is my only currency - Expertise, networks, influence, and advocacy can also be powerful forms of contribution when offered in ways that charities genuinely need. 6. Talking about giving isn’t a good idea - Sharing philanthropic experiences helps normalise generosity, encourages learning, and can motivate others to act. 7. Starting a charity is a good idea - APS fields dozens of enquiries from people considering establishing a charity to address a gap they have identified. In most cases, an organisation already exists doing similar work. At APS, we see the most effective givers approach philanthropy with the same curiosity, discipline, and strategic thinking they apply to the rest of their financial lives. They are used to asking whether their capital is working hard enough when they invest it, and they apply a similar lens to their giving. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gQxJsWeX

With more than a decade into their giving journey, the Naylor Stewart Family Foundation reflects on the value of trust-based philanthropy, supporting organisations with the expertise to create change while balancing their shared priorities and individual passions. Their story highlights how to involve the next generation in giving and embed a shared sense of responsibility to use opportunities to contribute rather than simply receive. Read more on how one family is building a culture of giving with purpose, and impact: https://lnkd.in/gkXH9gjC

What does it take to create lasting social impact? Our clients recently had the opportunity to hear from Jim Bildner, CEO of Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK), alongside an exceptional panel facilitated by Jessica Mendoza-Roth of Social Impact Hub, also featuring Lauren Hicks of QBE FOUNDATION INC and APS client and co-founder of Blueshore Charitable Trust, Jon Stretch, who explored what enables impact organisations to thrive. The discussion highlighted that many organisations value strategic advice, connection and expertise to enable capability building just as much, if not more, than they do financial investment. Some takeaways from the discussion: • Capability often multiplies impact more than capital alone  • Strategic funding can amplify impact beyond a one-time contribution  • Multi-year, unrestricted funding gives organisations the capacity to plan ahead and focus on long-term outcomes  • Different forms of capital such as investments and loans can play a role in helping organisations grow and achieve their mission • Support visionary leaders to set up them and their organisations for growth Beyond the insights shared, Jim’s authenticity, humility and commitment to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges resonated strongly with those in the room. We’re grateful to have hosted this event in partnership with Social Impact Hub and QBE Foundation, and thank everyone who joined us on the night. Catch up on the night here: https://lnkd.in/gte4_3cn

A significant milestone for the APS Foundation! This year, APS Foundation giving fund holders distributed $36 million to support the communities and causes they care about, representing a 30% increase on the previous year. With a median gift of $3,000, these results demonstrate how meaningful impact is created through thousands of individual acts of generosity. At the same time, the Foundation grew to $512 million across 845 giving funds, strengthening our capacity to support long-term charitable giving for generations to come. The APS Foundation is now Australia’s largest, fastest growing and most generous public giving fund amongst its peers. As Australia navigates an estimated $5.4 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer, we remain committed to helping more Australians turn wealth into lasting impact and expand the culture of giving across the country. Thank you to the APS community for helping us grow giving for good. Take a look at our giving & growth snapshot here: https://lnkd.in/ghukUrfi

The philanthropic landscape has been unusually active in recent months, with several important regulatory and policy developments that will affect how givers structure and mange their giving.   While some changes may create some uncertainty, the overall environment remains positive for the community. Tax-deductible giving continues to be recognised as an important driver of philanthropy, and some reforms are intended to expand opportunities for funders to support a broader range of organisations. In an important update, our Technical Director David Ward outlines the key recent developments and what they could mean for you.  • Private and Public Ancillary Funds have been renamed Private and Public Giving Funds.  • Minimum distribution rates for Private and Public Giving Funds will rise to 6%, with transitional arrangements for existing funds.  • A new smoothing mechanism will provide greater flexibility in annual grant distributions.  • The new Community Charity category will make it easier to support smaller local organisations.  • Changes to CGT rules preserve the value of charitable deductions following sector advocacy.  • Proposed Family Trust tax reforms are expected to continue recognising gifts to DGR charities.  • Broader DGR reform remains an important priority for the philanthropic sector. To learn more about these changes, read our article here: https://lnkd.in/gjKjUg_4