Australian Scholarships Foundation has announced 178 scholarships for not-for-profit board members, leaders and managers in governance, leadership development, project management and business.

A lack of funding to support talent growth continually compromises not-for-profits’ organisational health, as found by recent research completed by McKinsey & Company in partnership with the Australian Scholarship Foundation.

“This research has highlighted that a focus on professional development and growth of NFP staff is imperative for the long-term sustainability of the sector and to ensure we have thriving organisations,” says Samantha Sayers, CEO of Australian Scholarship Foundation.

Established in 2009 the Australian Scholarships Foundation facilitates scholarships and mentoring opportunities for not-for-profit board members and leaders to support the long-term viability of the sector. To date 4,516 scholarships have been awarded to non-profit staff and board members across Australia. Education providers offering scholarships in 2022 include Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Graduate School of Leadership at Torrens University, Curtin University and McKinsey & Company.

“We are delighted to continue our partnerships with high-quality education providers to offer professional education and support talent growth to help organisations create social impact,” says Samantha Sayers.

There are five education providers offering 178 scholarships for not-for-profit staff and board members. These include:

Australian Graduate School of Leadership at the Torrens University – Doctor of Business Leadership

Torrens University’s Doctor of Business Leadership scholarship is designed to prepare senior executives to more effectively assume overall leadership responsibility within a substantial multi-business unit organisation, operating in intensely competitive national and global markets. Read full details here.

Harvard Club of Australia – Ferris Family Fellowships 2022

Two Fellowships are available to attend the highly regarded six-day course, Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management in July 2022 at the Harvard Business School. Previous scholarship recipients have included Heidi Limareff, Group Chief Executive, Can:Do Group and Matt Davis, CEO/National Director, Salvos Stores. Read full details here.

Bankwest / Curtin University – WA Leaders Scholarship 2022

20 scholarships are on offer to support not-for-profits based in Western Australia, Bankwest and Curtin University to undertake either the Graduate Certificate in Project Management or the Graduate Certificate in Business at Curtin University in 2022. Read full details here.

McKinsey & Company Leadership Programs 2022

There are 40 scholarships available to staff of charitable not-for-profit organisations Australia-wide. Each scholarship is valued at $20,000 and will grant recipients full access to the Executive Leadership Program. These scholarships are now open and close on Sunday, 13 February. Read full details here.

In 2021 Nicolas Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Batyr Australia Limited a preventative mental health organisation was a scholarship recipient of the McKinsey & Company Executive Leadership Program. He notes,

“This course dug deeper than I expected and was certainly not just about theory or management principles. It was a time to reflect on my role not only within batyr but across broader society as well.”

Nicolas Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Batyr Australia Limited

There are also 100 places available to join the McKinsey Young Leaders Forum 2022 opening on 23 May 2022.

Directing Change Scholarship 2022 – for leaders with disability

Australian Network on Disability and Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) have launched an exciting new program for leaders with disability. There are 15 full-fee scholarships available to undertake either the Foundations of Directorship program or the Company Directors Course at AICD. Plus, 8 months of mentoring with an Australian business leader to help winners maximise their board career opportunities. These scholarships are closing on Sunday 13 February 2022.

More than 450 scholarships are planned for 2022, read more on current scholarships open for applications.


Female working in brightly coloured office cubby

2021 winners!

There were 414 scholarship recipients in 2021. Read full details of our scholarships offered in 2021 and winners.


Table showing 35% of organisations are above median benchmark for Talent Growth, 40% are above benchmark for Execution Excellence, and 60% are above benchmark for System Shaping

Three capabilities to boost the not-for-profit sector’s impact.

This article explores the capabilities identified to boost the not-for-profit sector’s impact.