Australian philanthropy over 20 years: A timeline

A lot can happen in two decades. Here we look back through 20 years of Pro Bono News’ philanthropy coverage and share some of the sector’s key moments.

Cool Timeline

Philanthropy Australia and The Myer Foundation host the sector’s first technology conference

Apr,2000

The former head of Microsoft, Daniel Petre takes aim at Australia’s “stingy rich”

Sep,2000

Prime Minister John Howard announces details of two new tax initiatives to encourage greater corporate and personal philanthropy in Australia

Apr,2001

A new Centre of Philanthropy and Not for Profit Studies is established within the Faculty of Business at Queensland University of Technology

Dec,2001

The ATO enters into a five-year research partnership agreement with the Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies

Dec,2002

Philanthropy Australia produces the first Australian directory of corporate philanthropy

Mar,2003

ACOSS is given substantial federal government funds for a major research project on giving and philanthropy in Australia

Jul,2004

The Giving Australia report is released

Oct,2005

The wealthiest individuals in the world give more than $285 billion to charity in 2006

Jul,2007

The Rudd government introduces the Tax Law Amendments Bill

Jul,2009

PAF statistics for 2007-08 show strong growth in donations and assets in the philanthropic sector

Mar,2010

The PPF turns 10

Nov,2011

Australia’s first charity regulator, the ACNC, officially opens its doors for business

Nov,2012

Australia has big givers

Jun,2013

The Charities Act 2013 comes into effect

Jan,2014

High-profile Queensland entrepreneur and corporate philanthropist Alan English wins the inaugural Philanthropy Leader of the Year award

Sep,2014

JBWere publishes the PAF Report, revealing record growth in private ancillary funds

Jan,2015

2014 is declared the year of the “mega gifts”, with some of the biggest philanthropic donations ever seen in Australia being made

Jan,2015

Giving Australia 2016 report is released

Dec,2016

Research reveals Australian philanthropists are engaging in collective giving in addition to their normal giving

Apr,2017

Andrew and Nicola Forrest make philanthropic history with a $400 million donation

May,2017

There is a growing impetus for philanthropy to fund policy advocacy

Feb,2018

The Support Report reveals different giving areas of the “philanthropy pie” are growing at different rates and support different types of causes

Mar,2018

Australians are giving less

Jun,2018

COVID-19 hits giving

Apr,2020

Philanthropists step up

Jun,2020

For an in-depth look at how the philanthropy sector has evolved over the past two decades, see our article: Look how far we’ve come – Philanthropy