In health and medical research, and in purpose-driven organisations more broadly, the distinction between campaign urgency and campaign readiness is one that boards and executive teams rarely get right, and rarely get a second chance to correct.

Getting it wrong is not merely a fundraising setback. It can damage institutional credibility, exhaust leadership, and erode donor trust in ways that take years to repair.

The retraction of American foreign aid, the dismantling of USAID, and the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization have not merely created funding gaps, they have fractured the institutional scaffolding that the world built, over decades, to protect human health. For Australia, this global crisis arrives at a moment when our own domestic research funding is under quiet but serious pressure. The confluence of these forces makes one thing clear: philanthropy in health and medical research is no longer a generous supplement to government investment. It is an urgent necessity.

Earlier this year, Jean Sung had the honour of speaking before social workers, practitioners and cross-generational leaders of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, an institution with over seven decades of deep-rooted commitment to community care and social welfare. The challenges we face today, be it inequality, sustainability, or social resilience, are not short-term problems. They cannot be solved through isolated efforts or episodic generosity. They demand something more deliberate and intentional.

Our client, NORTH Foundation’s CEO, Gilbert Lorquet, recently visited 30 organisations across the US and uncovered a compelling model for transformational philanthropy.

We're delighted to share his insights as part of our ongoing commitment to sector-leading thought leadership.

Gil generously contributed a comprehensive article to F&P (Fundraising & Philanthropy) Magazine, where he distils his learnings into ten key insights that together form a blueprint for transformational change in Australian healthcare philanthropy.

Our Asia Pacific team is privileged to be working with the Burnet Institute across projects ranging from medical research to large-scale public health initiatives, for the more than 30 countries in which they work.

While we can’t always give donors a first-hand view of the difference their support can make, helping them feel that impact through powerful storytelling is often the next best thing. A recent first-time visit to Papua New Guinea gave Rob Daly, from Burnet Institute Australia, invaluable insight into two of the organisation’s flagship initiatives. This insight is now strengthening the way Burnet engages supporters and communicates the urgency of its work.

From Code Red to Catalytic Change: How Emerging Technologies Are Reshaping Philanthropy and Impact Investing.

We’re living in what António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, calls a “Code Red for humanity”. And in moments like this, philanthropy can’t afford to stay in yesterday’s paradigm. The good news? It isn’t. From blockchain to AI, from crowdfunding platforms to blended finance, technology today is reshaping how philanthropists and impact investors think, act, and scale change.

Our warmest congratulations to the Educate Plus Excellence Award winners for 2024, recognised at the recent Empowering Success International Conference Awards Lunch.

Graham Stewart of Stewart Stained Glass is one of the many master crafts people engaged in the meticulous reinstatement of the iconic Christ Church Cathedral that was damaged by the catastrophic earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2011. And just like so many others engaged in this world leading heritage project, he sees it as the pinnacle of a life’s work - a rare opportunity for which he has prepared over a lifetime.

Our Senior Consultant, Chanel Hughes, had the privilege of learning about the incredible challenges and intricacies of his team’s work while developing the Case for Support for the Cathedral Reinstatement Project as well as Graham’s own journey of perfecting a more than 1000 year old craft.

The escalating impacts of climate change, nature loss and pollution are pushing the boundaries of our legal system and climate litigation is increasingly being filed around the world by private and public actors alike. In the face of this triple planetary crisis, judges, as custodians of justice, find themselves adapting, innovating, and leading in unprecedented ways.

Read more about what our client, ClientEarth, one of the world’s most ambitious organisations, has been doing to address this.

On International Women's Day 2024, our latest Global 20 interview offers a timely reflection on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and celebrates the transformative efforts of women like Srishti Bakshi.

In this interview, Srishti sheds light on her remarkable journey in women's rights activism. The narrative unfolds with Srishti’s decision to leave corporate success behind and embark on a 3800km trek across India, championing equity for women globally. Her innovative use of art and digital media, including the creation of the award-winning documentary 'Women Of My Billion', underscores the power of technology in amplifying philanthropic initiatives. Delve into the full interview to uncover the depth of Srishti's narrative and explore the transformative potential of digital philanthropy.