Perth will host the 2028 Philanthropy Australia Conference, bringing the nation’s largest gathering of philanthropic and for-purpose leaders to Western Australia for the first time.
At the conclusion of today’s Philanthropy Australia Conference in Brisbane, WA Premier Roger Cook and Minderoo Foundation chief executive John Hartman announced Perth as the host city for the next conference in 2028.
The announcement is expected to strengthen Western Australia’s position as a national centre for philanthropy, impact investment and community-led innovation, while directing greater attention towards the role of private capital in addressing social and economic challenges.
The 2028 conference will bring together senior leaders from philanthropy, not-for-profits, government, business, social enterprise and impact investing.
Mr Cook said the decision recognised Western Australia’s strong culture of giving and its growing influence within the national philanthropic sector.
“Perth’s selection as host reflects WA’s reputation as the most generous state in Australia, confirmed by recent analysis showing an extraordinary average of $11,538 per donor,” Mr Cook said.
“We look forward to welcoming the philanthropic sector to Western Australia in 2028 for the conversations, partnerships and practical reforms that will help unlock greater generosity.
“I want to thank Philanthropy Australia for bringing the Conference to Western Australia.”
Beyond attracting interstate delegates and generating activity for Perth’s hospitality, tourism and events sectors, the conference is expected to create new opportunities for Western Australian businesses, foundations and community organisations to build national partnerships and attract investment.
It comes as Australia prepares for an unprecedented intergenerational transfer of wealth, with trillions of dollars expected to move between generations over the coming decades.
The scale of the transfer has increased the focus on structured giving, impact investment and the capacity of philanthropy to support innovation, strengthen community organisations and help address areas of unmet social need.
Mr Hartman said Perth’s selection reflected Western Australia’s growing reputation as a centre for philanthropy, innovation and community-led change.
“As Australia’s largest gathering of the philanthropic and for-purpose sector, the Philanthropy Australia Conference plays a vital role in advancing conversations about social impact, community wellbeing and the future of giving,” Mr Hartman said.
“We are delighted to see Perth host this important national gathering and provide a platform for meaningful discussion, collaboration and innovation across the sector.”
Mr Hartman said the two-year lead-up to the conference would be important for building momentum behind national reforms and supporting the Australian government’s goal of doubling philanthropy by 2030.
“We are standing at the precipice of an historic handover of wealth,” he said.
“Trillions of dollars are expected to be passed between generations over the coming decades, creating a significant opportunity to grow philanthropy and strengthen Australia’s culture of giving.”
Western Australia is home to some of the country’s largest private foundations and significant pools of wealth created through mining, resources, property and other industries.
The conference will provide an opportunity to examine how more of that capital can be directed towards measurable social and environmental outcomes, while building stronger relationships between donors, investors, businesses and the organisations delivering services on the ground.
“Over the next two years, we must work together to modernise the systems that support giving and help achieve the Australian Government’s goal of doubling philanthropy by 2030,” Mr Hartman said.
“I look forward to welcoming the sector to Western Australia , Minderoo’s home state in 2028, but more importantly I look forward to the conversations, partnerships and practical reforms that will help unlock greater generosity for the benefit of communities across the country.”
Philanthropy Australia chief executive Maree Sidey said bringing the organisation’s flagship conference to Western Australia for the first time signalled its ambitions for the future of the sector.
“As Philanthropy Australia marks 50 years, taking our flagship Conference to Western Australia for the first time is a statement of ambition about what comes next , a more generous Australia, a stronger philanthropic sector and a country better able to turn its resources, ideas and intent into lasting impact,” Ms Sidey said.
“Western Australia has the ambition, entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic leadership to help drive that next chapter.”
Ms Sidey said the organisation wanted the Perth conference to generate practical outcomes rather than serve solely as an industry gathering.
“We want Perth 2028 to be more than a gathering of the sector,” she said.
“We want it to be a catalyst for bigger thinking, new partnerships and bolder action and to demonstrate what is possible when philanthropy, business and community come together around a shared ambition to create change.”
The conference could also provide a national platform for Western Australian not-for-profits and social enterprises seeking funding, investment and partnerships to expand their work.
Minderoo Foundation Executive Director of effective philanthropy Kristen Stevenson said greater investment in the capability and connections of the for-purpose sector would be essential to tackling Australia’s complex social challenges.
“A strong, connected and capable for-purpose sector is essential to tackling the complex challenges facing Australia,” Ms Stevenson said.
“That’s why Minderoo is committed to strengthening Australia’s for-purpose sector by investing in the systems, capabilities and relationships that enable organisations to achieve greater impact across the nation.”
She said bringing leaders from across Australia to Perth would allow Western Australia to play a bigger role in shaping national approaches to giving and social investment.
“Bringing the Philanthropy Australia Conference to Perth in 2028 will provide an important opportunity to continue the national conversations needed to mobilise more generosity,” Ms Stevenson said.
“We look forward to welcoming leaders from philanthropy, not-for-profits, government, impact investing and social enterprise to Perth to continue shaping a stronger future for giving in Australia.”
The announcement comes ahead of the Future of Philanthropy: Unlocking the Generosity of WA lunch, presented by Business News and Minderoo Foundation at The Westin on Thursday, November 5, featuring a keynote address from Mr Hartman and a panel of industry leaders examining impact investing, place-based giving and how WA can better connect capital with community need; bookings are available at https://www.businessnews.com.au/events/Future-of-Philanthropy-Unlocking-the-Generosity-of-WA
