Australian Centre For Philanthropy And Nonprofit Studies

Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP opens the Reforming Fundraising Regulation Conference by recognising the unique strengths of the nonprofit sector and the critical role that fundraising plays in preserving the independence and innovation of nonprofit organisations. Robert Fitzgerald will give his presentation on the place of fundraising regulation in the wider Australian nonprofit reform agenda.

Andrew Thomas joins us to speak about the tax structures for giving to charities, family foundations and donor advised funds in the US and Australia. Philippa Hawke discusses how a global movement of diverse children's telephone and online counselling services developed consensus on a set of minimum standards for their organisations.

Linda Lavarch, recently appointed Chair of the Federal Government's newly formed Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council, joins us to discuss the purpose and proposed activities of the council. Dr Wendy Scaife will discuss donations to the Premier's Flood Appeal and giving to disasters in general. Dr Sharon Newnam speaks about her research into car fleet safety and driving behaviour in and by nonprofit organisations.

Prof Myles McGregor-Lowndes speaks about the recently announced Treasury consultation paper on a new national regulator for the not-for-profit sector. Bob Wyatt will provide a summary of his thoughts and recommendations for the Canadian voluntary sector and chats about his ideas on how a nonprofit umbrella (or peak) organisation should operate.

Dr Andrea Petrwiskyj reports on her current research project 'Voice of Seniors' which examines the role of seniors organisations in providing the voice for older people in Australian policy making. Bob Wyatt provides further critique on arguments related to nonprofit organisations becoming more like their corporate counterparts.

Associate Professor Jo Barraket reports on the outcomes of the Finding Australia's Social Enterprise Sector (FASES) research project. Bob Wyatt, Executive Director of the Muttart Foundation critically examines the arguments for nonprofits becoming more business-like.

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes (Director, ACPNS) discusses two recent government initiatives that may affect the nonprofit sector; the first, an audit of the administration procedures of the Australian Taxation Office, and in particular their administration of Deductible Gift Recipient status; and the second, the release of The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 'Information Paper – Non-Profit Institutions – A Draft Information Plan.' Colin Ball (Consultant, Writer, Researcher) examines the purposes of voluntary organisations both historically and in modern times. Mark Fowler (Director, Neumann Turnour Lawyers) provides an outline of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) and the different ways that nonprofits organisations can be involved iin the scheme.

Dr Matthew Turnour, ACPNS Senior Research Fellow discusses the current Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into the Tax Law Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010.Bob Wyatt, Executive Director of The Muttart Foundation, examines whether or not a third sector actually exists.

David Locke, Executive Director of Charity Services, Charity Commission for England and Wales discusses whether Australia should have a new independent regulator for the nonprofit and charitable sectors. Robert Fitzgerald, Productivity Commissioner, provides commentary following David Locke's presentation.

Prof Myles McGregor-Lowndes speaks about the recently announced Treasury consultation paper on a new national regulator for the not-for-profit sector. Bob Wyatt will provide a summary of his thoughts and recommendations for the Canadian voluntary sector and chats about his ideas on how a nonprofit umbrella (or peak) organisation should operate.

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes and ACPNS researchers Frances Hannah, Anne Overell and Linda Lavarch discuss recent legal cases involving nonprofit organisations and their implications for other organisations in the sector.

Listen to Robert Fitzgerald, Productivity Commissioner discuss the Productivity Commission's recently released landmark research report, Contribution of the not-for-profit sector. In addition, Senator Ursula Stephens launches the Queensland Alliance initiated report, From discrimination to social inclusion: A review of the literature on anti-stigma initiatives in mental health.

Dr Wendy Scaife joins us once more to provide insights into the major giving landscape in Australia, with this month's podcast focusing on messages for givers, boards and CEOs. Jan Jennings-Cailleux discusses the history and experiences of planned giving in both the United States and France. également disponible en Français.

Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes joins us to talk about the possible implications of the recently released report by the Prodcutivity Commission, 'Contributions from the not-for-profit sector'. Dr Wendy Scaife provides us with insight into the minds of major gift givers in Australia, with important messages for charities.

Dr Jo Barraket discusses organisational development in the context of an evaluation of The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundations' Celebrating Our Partners Program funding initiative. Dr Amanda McBratney makes observations on the current government - nonprofit contracting landscape, with particular focus on the Queensland Department of Communities proposed new Common Service Agreement.

The Right Honourable David Blunkett discusses his thoughts and experiences on mutual action and voluntarism in the Third Sector.

Ted Flack responds to the Productivity Commission's draft research report 'Contribution if the Not-for-Profit Sector' and Associate Professor Jo Barraket discusses current efforts to map the Australian social enterprise sector.

CPNS PhD research student, Ruth Knight speaks about her current research into the organisational culture of large nonprofit organisations and their attitudes to change. Former CPNS visiting academic, Pamala Wiepking discusses the activities and initiatives of the European Research Network on Philanthropy.

Myles McGregor-Lowndes discusses the compliance burden of nonprofit accountability, including ways to reduce red tape. In a related topic, Ken Crofts, Charles Sturt University PhD Candidate, discusses accountability reporting by faith based benevolent institutions.

Andrew Hewett, Executive Director of Oxfam Australia discusses a variety of issues related to organisational transparency in the nonprofit sector, including accountability and critical success factors and barriers to achieving transparency in a large nonprofit organisation. Andrew grounds this discussion in examples and experiences of Oxfam Australia, recipient's of the 2008 Price Waterhouse Coopers Transparency Award.