Listening to and learning from the sector

This research is about listening to and learning from the philanthropic sector: understanding how gender is considered in funding for impact, recognising progress, and building an evidence base to support more equitable giving.

We want to understand how funders define and pursue impact, what informs their decision-making, and where gender currently fits within that picture. That means hearing from organisations already applying a gender lens, as well as those where gender is one consideration among many or does not currently feature in their approach.

There are no ‘right’ answers. Understanding the full spectrum of current practice helps us recognise progress, identify opportunities and ensure our work responds to where the sector is today.

What does gender have to do with strengthening impact?

Gender intersects with many of the issues philanthropy seeks to address, from housing and homelessness to health, education, economic security, climate and community development.

Considering gender in your giving means asking: Who experiences an issue, and how? Who can access a program or service? Who benefits from it? Are some people experiencing different barriers or outcomes?

These questions can help funders develop a more complete picture of the communities and issues they seek to support.

Building a stronger picture of Australian giving

The State of Gender-wise Giving research has focused on Australia’s top 50 philanthropic and top 50 corporate givers as published by the Australian Financial Review, creating an emerging benchmark for gender-wise giving in Australia.

In 2026, the survey is also open to a broader range of philanthropic and corporate funders.

Expanding participation will help us to understand how funders of different sizes, structures, focus areas, and levels of experience approach impact, and where gender fits into their thinking and practice.

We want to learn from organisations that already apply a gender lens, those beginning to explore it, and those that do not currently consider gender in their giving. This will provide a fuller picture of current practice, the factors that enable or constrain gender-wise giving, and the support funders may need.

Why participate?

By participating, your organisation will contribute to the evidence base for gender-wise giving and help build a clearer picture of current philanthropic practice.

Participating organisations will also receive a personalised and confidential benchmark report, providing insight into their organisation’s approach in the context of aggregated sector findings.

All responses are confidential. Public findings are reported only in aggregate and do not identify participating organisations or individual respondents.

The survey asks about the factors influencing your organisation’s decision-making, giving areas and governance. You can view and download the full questionnaire before beginning, allowing you to identify any information you may want to have on hand or colleagues you may wish to consult.

The State of Gender-wise Giving Survey 2026 closes on 16 November 2026.

Whether gender is already central to your giving, one consideration among many, or not currently part of your organisation’s approach, we want to hear from you.

Read the FAQs and download download a PDF copy of the survey questions.

Help us build a stronger picture of Australian giving.