
Purpose before platform: Smith Family chief’s digital advice for NFPs
Posted on 21 May 2025
As more not-for-profits (NFPs) embrace digital transformation, Doug Taylor, chief executive of The…
Posted on 19 Feb 2025
By David Crosbie, CEO, Community Council for Australia
The reality of increasing costs and continuing uncertainty about income streams has left many charities and community organisations unsure about their future and the sustainability of their programs and services in 2025.
It will come as no surprise to most in the sector that the Albanese government is seen as very good on offering supportive words to our sector, but not so good on delivering real and sustainable reform in critical areas:
All these issues were raised in the Community Council for Australia (CCA) survey of sector leaders which is due for release this month. (Read the early findings about sector confidence here.)
We are now at that phase of the electoral cycle where we have an opportunity to reset the agenda of an incoming government during an election campaign.
"What lies ahead for our sector will depend on our capacity to advocate, not only for our causes and communities, but also for ourselves and our sector."
There is absolutely nothing stopping any charity or community group using the next few months to arrange meetings with all their local political candidates and putting their case for their own cause or purpose, and for the strengthening of their own organisation and others like them across Australia.
The CCA pre-Budget submission contains a list of nine key “asks” for our sector:
What if thousands of charities and community groups asked for all these recommendations to be picked up and supported as part of a new government commitment to our sector?
What lies ahead for our sector will depend on our capacity to advocate, not only for our causes and communities, but also for ourselves and our sector.
2025 is the opportunity. It’s up to us.
David Crosbie: Why charities and not-for-profits deserve to be taken seriously