We know that organisations with well-skilled leaders are better able to serve their communities. Our partnerships with universities, education providers and funders provide professional development for staff and board members of charitable organisations to help them thrive and serve their communities better.
Over 11 percent of the Australian workforce is employed in the not-for-profit (NFP) sector. There is a pressing need to uplift the capabilities of sector leaders to help ensure these organisations remain sustainable to support their communities.
The Productivity Commission’s Research Report in 2010, Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector identified a major impediment for the long-term viability of Australian not-for-profits was a lack of critical knowledge, skills and abilities, with an emphasis on the leadership, management and governance capacity. Our focus is on building these skills and capabilities to support the sector.
Our research with the Centre for Social Impact in 2015, in the Learning for Purpose found:
- Training NFP workers works – professional development activities addressing NFP governance, strategic leadership, and impact evaluation was found to have systematic, positive effects on those trained. They gain greater role clarity, competence knowledge and self-confidence that facilitate better decisions and behaviours at work.
- NFP organisations that systematically develop their people do better – data from hundreds of Australian NFP organisations shows that professional development of employees makes them more effective in their roles. This rise in competence and capability flows on to the creation of social impact.
- The lack of money and time prevent needed professional development opportunities – insufficient financial and structural support prevents the Australian NFP sector and its people from engaging with more professional development. Smaller NFP organisations appear particularly prone to financial challenges, while larger NFPs are challenged by time and support required to offer training. Thirty-three per cent of NFP executives have no access to a designated training budget.
Our purpose
Our purpose is to develop leaders for a better society. We facilitate funding for the provision of scholarships and mentoring opportunities to provide education, training and development to NFP boards, management and staff in key operational areas that drive improvements in organisational performance.
This contribution is imperative to help the sector build capability. A recent report by Social Ventures Australia and the Centre for Social Impact (2022) Paying what it takes: funding indirect cost to create long-term impact recognises underfunding of indirect costs leads to lower capability and effectiveness. The research shows not-for-profits universally under-invested into their core capability, with the corporate sector spending twice as much per employee on key capabilities such as training and development.
We undertake research to understand the key gaps in sector capability to ensure the right professional development gaps are addressed. Read the latest research understand with McKinsey and Company which looks at the healthiest organisations across 4,500 surveyed, finding a pattern of three essential capabilities: talent growth, execution excellence, and system shaping.
Our impact
We have offered 4,514 scholarships in the areas of governance, leadership development, management, and other key skills including finance, outcomes measurement and design thinking since 2009.
Our scholar surveys repeatedly confirm the impact of their studies. Our research shows that 90 per cent of these NFP scholars would not have had the opportunity to study without a scholarship, yet 93 per cent noted improved job performance. Read more on our impact for individuals and their organisation.
Hear from our scholars on how these opportunities are helping them build their skills and support their organisations to deliver on mission.
How can you help?
- Fund or co-fund a scholarship.
- Offer pro bono learning and development.
- Fund or collaborate on sector research that advances our purpose.
- Fund organisational overheads so we can advance our impact.
- Join our panel of scholarship assessors.
- Offer skilled volunteering.
- Become an advocate of the Australian Scholarships Foundation.
Partner with us to help not-for-profit leaders learn and thrive. Your support will help these charities build capacity and deliver for their communities.
Learn more about our education and funder partners.
Contact us on 1300 248 675 or [email protected] to explore opportunities.
