On Tuesday, 24 November 2020, the Australian Women Donors Network announced that they will be renamed ‘Australians Investing in Women’, as the organisation seeks to ensure more Australians have an intentional focus on women and girls in their giving.

As well as introducing Australians Investing in Women (AIIW), the event featured a conversation on gender lens funding between former South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, who now leads the Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative and AIIW’s Board Chair, Sam Mostyn, moderated by journalist and author, Catherine Fox.

“For more than a decade, the Australian Women Donors Network has advocated for increased investment in women and girls, and for a gender lens across philanthropy, but our name hasn’t accurately expressed who we are or what we do…. and, perhaps it’s confused some people into thinking we only want women to invest in women and girls,” CEO, Julie Reilly, said.

“Our new name is purposely aimed at inviting all Australians, particularly corporates, to increase their philanthropic funding for women and girls to deliver greater gender equality and a better world for all.”

Australians Investing in Women continues the previous evidence-based approach, and works in partnership with philanthropic, corporate and community leaders to strengthen society by catalysing investment in women and girls.

“Investing in women and girls, advocating and educating to ensure that their needs and circumstances are central to philanthropic practice, has never been more important. Indeed, the events of 2020 have amplified the need and urgency of this work,” Ms Reilly said.

The organisation will also change its tagline from “Women donors investing in women and girls” to “Empowering giving for a fairer future”.

Chair of the Australian Women Donors Network, Sam Mostyn, says this represents the organisation’s long-term vision.

“If we are to achieve gender equality we will need to pull every lever; being more intentional about bringing women into focus supports smart investment decisions. Philanthropic dollars are limited; it is investments in women and girls that bring the greatest opportunity for social change,” Ms Mostyn said.

“As ‘Australians Investing in Women’, we are evolving to represent our growing network of women and men, and corporate funders, who understand that investing in women and girls strengthens economies and society as a whole.”

“With our new name, we want to invite all funders and social investors across the country who believe in the importance of empowering women and girls to join us in ensuring a strategic focus on women and girls in the practice of philanthropy and social investment,” Ms Mostyn said.

Practical tools, presentations and workshops are available to support the adoption of gender lens practices at https://www.aiiw.org.au/ or by emailing info@aiiw.org.au.

The new name and motto will come into effect on Tuesday, 24 November, 2020.