About us
Strengthening society by investing in women and girls
Australians Investing In Women (AIIW) is a leading not-for-profit that strengthens society by catalysing greater capital across philanthropy and investment for women and girls.
We catalyse and align capital by working with funders, investors and sector leaders to embed a gender lens in decision-making, in order to direct capital towards women and girls where it delivers the greatest impact. Gender equality is essential to delivering a stronger, safer, more inclusive and prosperous society for all.
We are a growing community who understand that investing in women and girls strengthens both economies and societies as a whole. We are part of a burgeoning global movement spreading awareness, not only of the benefits in addressing the disadvantage still experienced by women and girls, but of their central role in effecting constructive social change.
AIIW does not provide grant funding.
Our Purpose
To increase the flow of philanthropic and investment resources to women and girls towards an Australia where investing in women and girls is recognised as smart, strategic, and essential to our wellbeing because gender equality delivers shared prosperity. We want investing in women and girls to be everyone’s business, across philanthropy, investment, and policy, because everyone benefits.
Our Vision
A gender-equal world where a safer, fairer and more inclusive society for women and girls results in a more prosperous future for all.
Our Focus
We work through three impact levers to strengthen systems and direct capital where it has the greatest leverage:
Leadership & Influence
We shift attitudes, narratives and systems so that gender equality becomes a shared national priority and is seen as smart, strategic and essential to Australia’s wellbeing. .
Practice Change
We equip funders and investors with tools, research and case studies to use a gender lens in decisions and capital flows.
Convening Collective Action
We bring funders, investors and partners across sectors together to coordinate action, amplify evidence and scale what works.
Inform
Inspire
Enable
Connect
Collaborate
Corporate Giving
Through collaboration with peak bodies in the Australian corporate sector, develop, deliver and roll out a gender lens framework to ensure corporate giving and broader community investment has an intentional and strategic focus on women and girls.
Philanthropy
Grow the community of philanthropic funders who adopt a gender-wise approach, elevate and celebrate impact, and work with the sector to improve data and measurement systems for philanthropic and social investment in women and girls.
Storytelling & Evidence
Share case studies and stories of impact change, gather and present evidence of the transformational change that can be achieved by investing in women and girls.
Sustainability
Secure the sustainability of Australians Investing in Women.
Why we exist
Gender equality benefits everyone
Gender equality strengthens families, communities and economies. When women and girls have equal opportunity and access to resources, the benefits ripple outward: improving wellbeing, productivity and social progress for all.
Gender-neutral programs often fail
Initiatives designed to be gender-neutral frequently overlook the different experiences of women and girls. Without a gender lens, programs can unintentionally underserve them, reducing effectiveness and limiting the overall impact of philanthropic and social investment.
AIIW equips funders and investors with frameworks & tools to direct capital
AIIW provides the evidence, tools and guidance funders and investors need to make informed, intentional decisions. By embedding a gender lens, they can direct capital where it delivers the greatest impact and drives meaningful, long-term change.
Our Values and Guiding Principles
Fair and ethical in all that we do, upholding integrity, equity, and justice.
Respectful of all stakeholders in the gender equality ecosystem—including donors, partners, practitioners, experts, and communities—recognising the value of diverse perspectives and experiences.
Collaborative in the way that we work, fostering deep partnerships, convening diverse voices, and facilitating shared learning to drive systems change and collective impact.
Inspiring in our activities and outreach, championing bold ideas and solutions for lasting, systemic change.
Focused on our strategy, with a commitment to learning, adaptation, and measurable impact through action-driven, evidence-based research.
Intentional in advancing gender equality, recognising that it does not happen by chance and requires deliberate effort, investment, and action.
Equitable and inclusive, ensuring that our work actively addresses systemic barriers and uplifts the voices of women and girls in all their diversity.
Respectful and acknowledging of First Nations peoples, ensuring that our work is inclusive, and supports self-determination.
Lean and effective, continuously improving our practices to maximise our impact and sustainability.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
Diversity, equity and inclusion are core to our mission. We use gender-inclusive language to promote gender equality and help eradicate gender bias, and celebrate women and girls in all their diversity, including cisgender, transgender, non-binary and intersex people.
Meet Our People
Our Patron and Board
Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC
Catherine Fox AM
Cathy Scalzo
Karen Kandur
Kirsty Albert
Our Ambassadors
John Dyson
Tanya Hosch AM
Dr Angela Jackson
Georgina Byron AM
Natasha Stott Despoja AC
Our Team
Julie Reilly OAM
Joyce Teo
Catherine Noble
Jem Hecht
Ashley Fairfield
Madeline Lucas
