SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING: KEEPING GENDER EQUALITY IN THE FRAME - keeping gender ...
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SHARPENING OUR FOCUS
ON CORPORATE GIVING :
KEEPING GENDER EQUALITY
IN THE FRAME
Contents
Introduction 5
Context 6
Our approach 6
Our commitment 6
Insights 8
What we heard 8
Charitable giving for social impact 10
A sharper focus matters 12
Corporate giving is crucial for the community 12
Investing in women and girls is a priority the world over 12
Current corporate giving approaches
underserve women and girls 13
Gender-neutral giving leaves gender equality
to chance 13
Women and girls must be a consideration in
every cause 15
Keeping gender equality in the frame 19
Leadership 20
We need to pull every lever to achieve gender Strategy 22
equality. Philanthropic dollars are limited – Process interventions 24
being more intentional and purposeful about Measurement and reporting 26
Image: Greening Australia: Women at work at Mungala Station. Photographer: Annette Ruzicka.
Supporting not-for-profit partners 28
bringing women and girls into focus brings
Summary of actions: a staged approach 30
the greatest opportunity for social change. Actions to set the foundation 30
Sam Mostyn AO Actions that require more attention and collaboration 30
Chair, Australians Investing In Women
Courtesy of Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network.
Actions that disrupt the status quo and become
long-term commitments 31
Useful tools 33
References 34
Additional resources 35
Acknowledgements 36
Cover images left to right: Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network: Park
rangers at Yellow Water, Kakadu National Park. WEHI: Featuring Miss Komal Patel
(Research Assistant, Murphy Lab, Inflammation Division) with Dr Gabriela Brumatti
(Senior Research Officer, Silke Lab, Inflammation Division). Afghan girls on an outing
sponsored by Mahboba's Promise, Kapisa Province.
SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 3
As Members of the Champions of Change Coalition, we continually challenge ourselves
to review our practices and seek opportunities to accelerate gender equality, advance more
and diverse women into leadership, and build respectful and inclusive workplaces.
At Australians Investing In Women (AIIW), our focus is supporting philanthropic, corporate
and community leaders to strengthen society by catalysing investment in women and girls.
Sharpening our focus on corporate giving sets out a framework to assess corporate giving and
community partnership programs; to better understand who are the beneficiaries of the money,
time, products and in-kind investment given to the not-for-profit sector; and to assist and solve
some of the most challenging social issues in our communities.
Our shared goal is to ensure that the impact of corporate giving programs accelerates progress
towards gender equality by bringing women and girls into focus, and that well-meaning ‘gender
neutral’ giving programs are not underserving women and girls unintentionally.
Together, we were interested in testing to what extent corporate giving is benefiting women
and girls equitably compared to men and boys. The answer surprised us. It was easy to identify
the programs that specifically supported women and girls. But when it came to causes like
bushfire relief, homelessness, climate change, youth and the arts, many organisations were less
sure how the unique needs of women and girls were considered or whether they were equally
benefiting from their giving.
The social problems we need to address are complex. There are many individual circumstances
that compound personal challenges and elevate the need for social support. Taking a uniform
approach may not be as effective as it could be. Our giving needs to be sensitive to and inclusive
of intersecting layers of advantage and disadvantage, and consistent with our mission – with
women and girls in all their diversity, clearly in our frame.
When we refer to ‘women and girls’, it includes all cisgender, transgender, non-binary and
intersex people who identify as women. To enable visibility of the more marginalised people
impacted by gender inequality, we also use inclusive language: underrepresented genders,
non-binary people and gender diverse people. Inclusion is particularly important when it comes
It’s more important than ever that business to addressing social issues where disadvantage can be most acute.
takes a leading role in helping to address As leaders, the onus is on us to interrogate our processes and relationships with not-for-profit
partners and to ensure that an intentional focus on women and girls is an integral consideration
the big issues in our society like gender
Image: WEHI: Miss Bridget Dorizzi, (Career Tracker Student, Inflammation Division) with
her supervisor Dr Rebecca Feltham, (Laboratory Head, Ubiquitin Signalling Division).
at every step of our giving programs.
inequality. Collaboration with not-for-profit Although measurement and reporting are critical, the solution is not to be found in imposing
onerous requirements on resource-stretched not-for-profit organisations.
partners is fundamental. Working together Substantial change often requires bold and disruptive action. However, in exploring corporate
we have more impact on complex social
giving in partnership, and with the not-for-profit sector, we have learned that even small, targeted
adjustments have the potential to make a significant difference.
problems than when we are working alone. We share this resource with the ambition that gender equity in giving will become, rather than
a consideration, an expectation.
Tom Seymour
CEO, PwC Australia
4 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION GENDER BALANCED CORPORATE GIVING RESOURCE ◆ 5
Introduction
Context Our approach Our commitment
The COVID-19 pandemic has As with all our work through the Our commitment to sharpening
been an influential backdrop against Champions of Change Coalition, our focus on corporate giving
which to review the impact of our starting point is to step up beside is to use our personal influence
corporate giving on gender equality. women leaders, to listen and learn and the business levers at our
Our world has changed irrevocably from a range of perspectives, and disposal to ensure the impact of
since we began to develop this understand the issues and systems our organisations’ giving advances
resource. The disproportionate we need to change. gender equality.
impact on women and girls is
Australians Investing In Women is This requires:
well-evidenced, with greater rates
a natural partner for this work given
of unemployment, higher numbers • Leadership, vision and advocacy.
their long-standing advocacy for
leaving education, increased • Organisation giving strategies
‘gender-wise’ giving and commitment
experiences of domestic and family that align with and reinforce
to strengthening society through
violence and poorer employment our commitment to advancing
philanthropic investment in women
prospects.1 Among women and gender equality.
and girls.
girls, the most vulnerable and
In addition, we have benefited • Organisation systems and
marginalised in our communities
enormously from contributions and processes that reflect our
have been hardest hit by the
conversations with a diverse group intention to support women
economic and social impacts
of leaders from the philanthropic and girls, in every cause.
of COVID-19.
and not-for-profit sectors, gender • Measurement and reporting.
Social issues, especially those that
equality advocates, private
rely heavily on philanthropic funding • Strong relationships and
philanthropists, foundation managers,
to solve, have been exacerbated, partnerships with not-for-profits
corporate leaders and heads of
Image: Emotion21, with the Australian Ballet School. Featuring students Alle, Tara and Nadeesha.
Small but significant changes that
particularly homelessness, mental and program partners.
sustainability and social responsibility.
health and domestic and family
violence, along with an increased Our thanks to everyone who has
so generously contributed their time
bring women and girls into focus
need for food relief and investment
in medical research. and perspectives to inform this work. can maximise the impact of your
The need for corporate giving investment in community and help
programs to understand how issues
affect women and girls differently create a fairer future.
to men and boys and respond
with targeted support is more Julie Reilly OAM
important than ever. In the context CEO, Australians Investing In Women
of the COVID-19 recovery, it is
also important to recognise the
potential and maximise the crucial
contribution women can play in
driving economic recovery.
6 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 7
Insights We share our time and money We support a range of causes in efforts to contribute
across many causes to the many social issues that are important to our
employees and customers. We assume women and
girls benefit equally to men and boys but rarely test this.
Insights gained through listening and learning are key to understanding:
• How organisations currently position gender in their giving strategies.
It is perceived we are focused on ‘the giving’ more than
• How processes (like funding applications and evaluations) build in an intentional focus on women and girls. We underestimate the potential of
the power of giving to drive change and potential impacts.
• How data supports measurement of outcomes and impact. our giving to drive social change Compared to other organisation investments, the value
Contexts are different for each organisation, scale and scope varies, and we are at different stages of maturity when of our giving at times is not seen as significant. The impact
it comes to giving programs and practices. of our giving may be considered secondary to other
outcomes such as employee engagement (i.e. giving to
causes our employees value); social licence (i.e. giving
What we heard
to communities in which we operate); and commercial
Holding up a mirror is not always comfortable, but there are some important insights that surfaced when we reviewed benefit (i.e. giving to causes that promote and enhance
our current practices and spoke to experts. These insights inform the actions we need to take. our brands and reputations).
Our internal decision-making, funding and administrative
We don’t ask ourselves the gender
systems are not designed to ask questions about gender
We know the causes we give to, There is a lack of understanding by leadership teams question equality, nor do they include the necessary checks and
but not who benefits of how the causes we support specifically impact and balances to ensure impacts and benefits for women and
benefit women and girls and particularly marginalised girls are considered at every step of the process.
cohorts within that group.
Our not-for-profit partners tell us they are rarely asked by
We don’t ask our not-for-profit
corporate funders to demonstrate how their programs
A gender lens should be integral We need to ensure that our organisation’s giving does partners the gender question specifically benefit or serve women and girls, disaggregate
not unintentionally exclude women but many of us have
beneficiaries’ data by gender and/or consider gender in
not thought this through.
their impact assessments.
If we want to prioritise gender equality, we are more likely
Our organisations’ giving strategies We are overlooking a key lever to drive change on gender We don’t see the opportunities
equality. While we have strong leadership commitment to seek out women's and girls’ programs than to assess
are not aligned to our employee for gender equality in every cause
to diversity and inclusion, it is often focused on our and understand the gendered realities and opportunities
diversity and inclusion strategies in every cause we support.
employees and customers but not reflected in our giving
strategies.
Internal and external reporting requirements do not
Reported gender-disaggregated
consistently require or request funders or recipients to
data for giving is ad hoc disaggregate data by gender.
Our not-for-profit partners and internal social impact
We don’t have time or resources
We must acknowledge that many of us really
teams are time and resource constrained and gender
for more analysis analysis potentially takes away from critical frontline work.
haven't applied a gender lens on our corporate
Our funding agreements prioritise tangible outputs
giving – it has been a blind spot We undervalue impact assessment
such as programs, scholarships and buildings. We often
specifically exclude funding not-for-profit administration.
Graham Ashton AM APM But that means we jeopardise measurement and impact
Non-Executive Director assessment.
8 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 9
Charitable giving for social impact
Here are the various ways organisations invest for social impact as part of their sustainable social and environmental
priorities. This figure helps to show the flow of charitable giving to beneficiaries and the opportunities for intervention
for greater social impact.
por tunities for social impa
Op ct
Giving
Charitable giving to priority
Capital investment social issues as part Procurement
Investing in of corporate social Purchasing goods
organisations with responsibility programs and services from
diverse boards socially responsible
or social purpose businesses or social
Commercial enterprises Suppliers
sponsorships Engaging with
Supporting inclusive contractors or
participation and a suppliers who
higher profile in sport, employ and
music and the arts empower a diverse
workforce
Time and expertise
Donations of employee
Venture capital time, knowledge or skill
Providing access Community Employee giving Shared value
to funds for partnerships Financial donations A business
social enterprise Funding specific facilitated or matched strategy designed
start-ups programs or initiatives by organisations to solve social
and diverse issues profitably
entrepreneurs
Issues
Financial support
Charitable donations
Supported
2
In-kind giving
Donation of product
The closest thing we have to a magic bullet
of money or services
in development is the education of girls.
From every angle – economic, cultural, political
26% 11% and in governance – an educated woman
2% 5%
Health
Human
Diversity Environment
& inclusion
leverages extraordinary social benefit.
20% Rights
Social Welfare 5% We know the dire consequences of denying
3% Culture & arts
11%
Image: Stars Foundation: Stars Foundation Celebration Camp.
Reconciliation
17%
Emergencies
the potential skills and leadership of half the
population, namely, women.
Education
Through not-for-profits
Tim Costello AO
Chair, Community Council for Australia
Beneficiaries
10 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 11
A sharper focus matters
Corporate giving is crucial for Investing in women and girls is Current corporate giving approaches Gender-neutral giving leaves
the community a priority the world over underserve women and girls gender equality to chance
Philanthropic giving has long been recognised as Investing in women and girls has a proven multiplier effect Our corporate giving is underpinned by a desire to The most common approach organisations take to giving
a significant source of necessary funds supporting with benefits flowing to families, communities support a wide range of causes that align with our is to invest in universal programs in an effort to be as
progressive thinking, creative opportunities and and national economies. organisations’ values, purposes and employee priorities. inclusive as possible.
neglected issues. Philanthropic funding is also a
This principle underpins international development In some organisations, gender equality is prioritised One approach that aims to be ‘gender neutral’ is to
consistent enabler of social innovation and breakthrough
strategies like the United Nations Sustainable as their most pressing business, economic, social and support causes such as bushfire relief, climate change
research that provides long-term solutions for some
Development Goals and the work of UN Women, the human rights concern and they seek to commit all their and animal welfare, where it is assumed that gender is
of society’s most challenging issues, as well as
World Economic Forum and the World Bank, among giving to support and empower women and girls. In most irrelevant and does not come into play or that services
immediate relief.
others. It also drives the strategies of many global private organisations, however, gender equality is a strategic reach all people.
There are almost 60,000 registered charities in Australia philanthropic foundations, notably the Bill and Melinda priority but is not intentionally supported through
Alternatively, we presume that gender is naturally
employing 1.38 million people (11% of the Australian Gates Foundation, whose framework for empowerment corporate giving.
included in the cause, which means we support causes
workforce) and engaging 3.6 million volunteers.3 In the of women and girls is highly regarded globally.
When organisations specifically wish to support women such as Indigenous inclusion, the arts, homelessness
US and the UK, the numbers are also significant with
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and girls as part of their broader program of giving, they and financial literacy with the assumption that women and
1.5 million non-profit organisations4 and over 166,0005
(the SDGs) are a recognised framework in corporate typically seek out charities and programs that focus girls make up a large or equal proportion of beneficiaries,
registered charities respectively.
giving strategies. This serves to align corporation solely on women and girls such as girls’ education and so they benefit equally by default.
While the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit contributions with global efforts to achieve the SDG mentoring, employment opportunities for women, and
However, without an intentional approach, funding of
Commission (ACNC) regulates the sector, there is no objectives of harmonised economic growth, social supporting people experiencing domestic and family
gender-neutral programs – particularly those that do not
agreed standard framework or agency for reporting inclusion and environmental protection. While being violence.
consider gender differences and gender-specific needs –
corporate giving in Australia. a goal in its own right, gender equality cuts across
However, the data shows us that funding for specific generally underserves women.14
all 17 SDGs and is a critical accelerator of progress
The value of the corporate sector giving in Australia is women’s and girls’ programs is consistently a low portion
on the global sustainable development agenda. For Many organisations believe that a gender analysis of
estimated to range between $4.5 billion6 to $17.5 billion7 of overall giving. The Women & Girls Index, an index that
example, SDGs supporting climate action and peace the project participants is enough. However, the goal
per year. measures charitable giving to women’s and girls’ causes
and security are more successfully achieved when of gender analysis is to understand how interventions
in the United States reports that the share of funding for
There are different ways of measuring corporate giving, women are involved.11 Social impact is amplified affect women and girls differently and then use this
women’s and girls’ organisations in 2020 was just 1.6%
depending on what is included. Companies are not globally when organisations are intentional about information to influence program design. A 2020 study
of all philanthropic giving.12
required to report donations in a consistent way that gender equality in their own giving. from Perpetual showed that 73.7% of not-for-profit grant
allows direct comparison or gender analysis, although Low funding is compounded for more marginalised applicants had not undertaken a gender analysis for their
an increasing number are reporting activity in separate cohorts, for example LGBTIQ+ projects.13 project design.15
sustainability reports.8
In our own investigations, the proportion or value of our The key is to be intentional and not leave equitable giving
Independent studies of the top 50 corporate givers contribution to women’s and girls’ programs were not to chance.
show that they donated a total of $1.1 billion in 2020.9 measures tracked with any degree of certainty.
Of these, 38% are Champions of Change organisations.
The narrow view of women and girls as a stand-alone
Consistently, the priority issues supported by corporate cause can also mean we don’t consider how gender
giving are health, social welfare, education, emergencies applies to other important social causes.
and the environment.10
12 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 13
Women and girls must be a consideration in every cause
Support both our priority issues AND gender Safeguard against women and girls being
equality overlooked at critical times
Ultimately, the belief that we can make a difference, Ensuring gender analysis is inherent is even more
where it needs to be made, is what inspires philanthropic important when there are natural disasters and crises
giving. That is how it should be. Yet also having an requiring quick responses, so that women and girls
intentional focus on women and girls as a target group are not inadvertently overlooked at critical times.
within every cause is an opportunity to advance gender Disaster responses must also recognise and invest
equality, while at the same time supporting the issues in the key role women play in leading and supporting
most important to our organisations, employees and families and communities in recovery.
our communities.
Invest in solving the problem
Understand how issues specifically affect
A complex and lifelong set of challenges underpin
women and girls
many of the social issues supported through giving.
For any of the critical issues facing our communities,
Funding and programs that address the systemic issues,
there is a gender dimension: women, men and gender-
as well as provide immediate relief, contribute to long
diverse people face different challenges. By being
term solutions.
intentional about understanding the needs, interests
and circumstances of women and girls in every cause,
organisations can contribute to programs that are more
targeted and effective with more impactful support.
This approach encompasses nuanced terms including
gender-wise, a gender lens, gender impact assessment,
Image: The Big Issue: Women’s Workforce employees Valerie and Susie packing subscriber copies of The Big Issue magazine.
gender responsive, gender intentional, gender
mainstreaming, gender transformative and gender
integrated.
These are all terms that relate to an intentional focus
It’s not about only giving to women on gender and share the same goal – to encourage
a sharper focus on how decisions – to invest, donate,
and girls or giving more, it’s about being fund or deliver programs or services – acknowledge
intentionally equitable in our giving to
and address the different and specific needs of women
and girls as a target group, and challenge restrictive
every cause. gender norms.
Unless we intentionally include women Design for inclusion from the outset
and girls, the system will unintentionally Building gender analysis into every cause maintains
a focus on underrepresented genders as social priorities
exclude them. shift in response to evolving community challenges.
Considering and designing for everyone from the outset
Elizabeth Broderick AO builds inclusion into the system and maximises impact.
Founder, Champions of Change Coalition
14 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 15
Examples help highlight the specific challenges for women and girls in a range of causes and offer ideas
for giving to support gender equality*
Disaster
Animal welfare Culture and arts Disability and emergency Environment First Nations
Inclusion of women and girls Survival and recovery Women play a critical (but In addition to gender inequality
Underrepresentation of women Programs that are inclusive
in animal welfare initiatives experiences during disasters often undervalued) role in barriers, Aboriginal and Torres
in the arts is a persistent issue of women and girls with
supports women’s leadership across the world are strongly environmental and climate Strait Islander women and girls
across most art mediums and disabilities help overcome the
in conservation, empowerment linked to gender and culture. change decisions in households, face additional challenges
by most measures (e.g. radio many existing barriers to social
in farming and careers in STEM. Following disasters, women in sustainable development resulting from intergenerational
air play, festival line-up, awards participation and economic
Protection of pets and livestock are more likely to experience planning and sharing expertise trauma and dispossession since
and honours, collections and security. Key enablers include
influences women’s willingness domestic and family violence in communities. In developing colonisation. Investing in effective
exhibitions, leadership roles and suitable housing, accessible
to escape disaster and and suffer poor mental health, countries, women are more indigenous led solutions brings
book reviews). health services, violence
domestic violence situations. food insecurity (forgoing food susceptible to environmental with it the inclusion of the
prevention, education and paid
Look for: for family) and poor reproductive hazards like indoor air pollution leadership, voices and the cultural
employment.
Look for: expertise of Aboriginal and Torres
and maternal health. from cooking fuel and harm
• Programs that support a Strait Islander women and girls.
• Programs that care for the Look for: from poor sanitation.
diversity of emerging female Look for:
animals of people leaving • Programs to support women’s Look for:
artists Look for:
domestic violence leadership in communities and • Programs that support
• Arts industry mentorships • Opportunities to support the • Programs that improve women’s
workplaces women’s preparedness for
• Evacuation of family pets health and well-being
for women in or to prepare future events work of female scientists and
and livestock during natural • Targeted domestic and family
for executive and board roles female-led projects • Initiatives to encourage women
disasters violence prevention and • Opportunities to support both
• Sponsorship of women’s • Education on projects like and girls to attend and remain
support victims of and people who use
• Programs that support girls’ engaged at school
awards and honours domestic and family violence regenerative food systems,
careers as vets, rangers • Programs that support
• Projects that include an equal urban farms and renewable • Programs that give women a
and wildlife officers accessible education, further • Programs that support access
representation of women in energy voice in self-determination and
study and employment to maternal and child health
• Development of female recognise their capacity to drive
creative and decision-making services • Programs that support
anti-poaching officers • Health initiatives that are change in their communities
roles education and reproductive
supportive and accessible, • Access to safe, designated
• Supporting women-led healthcare of girls in developing • Domestic and family violence
such as parking, toilets and evacuation spaces for women
research and projects countries prevention and support that
examination tables and children
• Projects in developing is culturally safe and healing-
• Programs that support social • Recovery and rebuild that is oriented
countries that empower
participation, such as sport inclusive of diverse women
women’s leadership of • Programs that support the
and recreation activities alternative energy, safe employment of women and
water, sanitation and food investment in women-led
sustainability businesses including micro-
businesses
* Examples provided do not constitute an exhaustive list. Further ideas can be found in the Australians Investing in Women Project Showcase https://www.aiiw.org.au/projects/ * Examples provided do not constitute an exhaustive list. Further ideas can be found in the Australians Investing in Women Project Showcase https://www.aiiw.org.au/projects/
16 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 17
Keeping gender equality
in the frame
Health Homelessness Youth Here is a summary of key areas of focus for leaders.
Biological differences and Older women are the fastest Young women are
gender norms influence growing cohort of homeless disproportionately vulnerable
women’s health in many ways people in Australia today. to insecure and poorly paid
including manifestations of Economic insecurity, poor work and long-term economic
disease, rates and types of physical and mental health, insecurity, gender-based
injury or illness, response heightened risk of physical violence and poor mental health.
Leadership
to treatment and medication and sexual violence and being How can your organisation’s
and how women access health accompanied by children are Look for: giving contribute to gender
services. some of the specific challenges equality in society?
• Programs that promote
facing homeless women.
mentorship and young
Strategy
Look for:
Look for: women’s leadership How can your
• Medical research that ensures
organisation invest
diverse women are included • Shelters that provide safe • Financial independence literacy
to intentionally
in clinical research with sex- and supportive environments initiatives
and equitably include
disaggregated data specifically for women and • Programs to retain girls at women and girls in
children school and transition to every cause?
• Research on issues specific to
women’s health and wellbeing • Programs that provide safe employment and further study
access to food, hygiene and
Support
• Support for medical institutes • Homelessness prevention not-for-profit
Sharpening
dignity kits for women and early intervention initiatives
with clear gender equity partners
strategies and other programs • Financial independence literacy
our focus
• Sport and physical activity How can you support
to support careers for women initiatives programs for young women your not-for-profit
and girls in STEMM and health of marginalised groups partners to deliver
• Programs to support women
leadership programs that consider
escaping violent relationships • Programs that support
the needs of and equally
• Health promotion programs pregnant and parenting
• Targeted support for benefit women and girls?
to increase and retain girls’ teenagers, including to
marginalised groups of women Process intervention
involvement in sport and continue education and with
wellbeing activities • Initiatives to reduce the risk of What internal processes
employment opportunities
becoming homeless, such as will ensure women
limited equity home ownership, and girls are intentionally
increased supply of affordable Measurement and reporting and equitably considered
housing and alternative models in your distribution
How does measurement and of giving?
like cohousing communities
reporting support more inclusive
giving and have a greater impact?
* Examples provided do not constitute an exhaustive list. Further ideas can be found in the Australians Investing in Women Project Showcase https://www.aiiw.org.au/projects/
18 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 19Specific areas for action
Here are some practical actions to assist organisations embed gender equality into their giving strategies. 135.6 years until gender Giving can drive real progress
equality … it’s unimaginable
to wait towards gender equality.
Leadership At MECCA, all corporate giving is Leaders need to keep asking
invested in the education of women
and girls, which they believe is the the gender question: ‘How will
biggest lever they can pull to advance
gender equality. Through the MECCA
our giving specifically benefit
How can your organisation’s giving corporate giving initiative, MECCA
women and girls?'
contribute to gender equality in society? M-Power, they are partnering with
leading organisations – the Skyline
Justice Chris Maxwell AC
Foundation locally, the Stars
President of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court
Foundation nationally and CAMFED
(Victoria)
internationally – to support 10,000
girls to complete their secondary
school education. MECCA also
invests in emerging female leaders
in under-represented industries
High-impact actions Practical examples such as the arts, academia and
STEM as part of their commitment
Leading with intent to take immediate action to accelerate
Understand your organisation’s
gender equality.
philanthropic intent, the causes Cummins recognises, 'Making At every level – from global
your organisation supports and programs to local initiatives –
an engine is hard. Making the world
who benefits Cummins expects those making
more just for women and girls Setting expectations, and
is harder.’ Cummins is ready and giving decisions to look for the
Image: Global Sisters: business development coaching. Featuring Kate Sutton of Uberkate and Yasmin Osman of Yassie.
Understand how the issues
‘sweet spot’ where global goals
a target
your organisation focuses on willing to take on this challenge.
Cummins have three global and gender equality overlap, for There are many compelling reasons
specifically manifest for women
and girls priorities: education, environment example education of girls on behind Shark Island Institute's and
and equality of opportunity. environmental issues. Cummins the Caledonia Foundation's support
Communicate your Cummins Powers Women is tracks the impact of these programs of the GO Foundation’s education
expectations on how gender their commitment to increasing through identified metrics which scholarships for Indigenous students.
equality should be considered opportunity, equity and prosperity inform future granting, support In addition to a deep desire to support
in corporate giving strategies employee engagement and First Nations communities and a
for women and girls around the
world. Globally, Cummins work build accountability into partner belief in the transformative effect of
Require gender disaggregation
closely with non-profit partners relationships. This community education, evidence that gender equity
of impact measurement and
in regions and local communities. work augments the company’s is at the heart of the Foundation’s
reporting where possible and
practical A portion of their giving is internal diversity efforts (e.g. to work was an important factor. At
decentralised to branches so they increase women in operational the behest of co-founders Adam
Personally and visibly advocate can fund local initiatives, as well as roles) and reinforces Cummins’ Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin, 60%
for giving intentionally to volunteer, where they live and work. commitment to gender equality of scholarships are allocated to girls,
advance gender equality and the advancement of women and the composition of the Board
everywhere. and Executive Leadership reflects
their respect for women and support
of gender equality in leadership.
20 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 21Specific areas for action
Strategy
Alignment of purpose When people want money
How can your organisation invest to At Fujitsu, the functions of diversity,
there is a great opportunity
equity and inclusion; environment
intentionally and equitably include women and sustainability; and social to drive cultural change.
and girls in every cause? impact are aligned under the Office
for Purpose. This recognises the There is a vital responsibility
complex and interconnected issues
of sustainability and society through and unique opportunity to
an inclusion lens to increase positive
impact for its people, customers,
shape the program you are
communities and the planet. Fujitsu supporting for the power
has a long-standing community
giving program which has more of good. If an organisation
High-impact actions Practical examples
recently been shaped under a
framework and clear strategy to
is provided with funding there
ensure initiatives are implemented should be gender strings
Funding to advance Activating people, in an explicit and deliberate way for
attached.
Be clear on the drivers of
maximum impact. Global direction
your corporate giving strategy women in STEMM networks and convening
(employee engagement? on priorities is localised for Australia
WEHI is in a unique position
power
social licence? brand to guide the focus areas: Culture & Professor Doug Hilton AO
enhancement? social impact?) as both a recipient and provider The EY global corporate Reconciliation, Health & Disabilities, Director WEHI
and how they are linked to of funding. WEHI regularly funds responsibility program, EY Ripples, LGBTIQ+, Veterans, Generations
your gender equality strategy conferences, which are critical leverages the skills, knowledge (young people) – with a gender equity
Image: Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR), Blackall-Tambo Regional Council. Photographer: Lisa Alexander.magazine.
opportunities for scientists to and experience that EY people lens across all of these areas and
Ensure giving strategies
collaborate and network. WEHI only bring to work every day for social partnerships. Developing, using
are not ‘gender neutral’ or
sponsors events that have gender impact. The EY approach aligns and sharing technical capability
unintentionally excluding
balance (minimum 40% women with the UN Sustainable underpins all of the Fujitsu social
women and girls
chairs and 40% women speakers) Development Goals, including impact initiatives. The concept of
Seek to align the goals of and will not support events gender equality (SDG 5) and ‘nesting’ is central to the Fujitsu
your internal gender equality that include an all-male panel. decent work and economic approach which is that no social
strategy and your giving Several years ago, WEHI made issue exists in isolation – they are
growth (SDG 8). In Australia, this
strategy the provision of childcare at key includes supporting initiatives all part of the bigger picture of
Consider how your giving conferences part of and conditional such as a business mentoring Fujitsu’s purpose – ‘to make the world
strategy can be leveraged to on funding to enable women program for social impact start- more sustainable by building trust
address your organisation’s scientists to equally participate. up entrepreneurs who identify in society through innovation’.
gender equality challenges Sessions are also live streamed as LGBTIQ+ women and young
into the childcare room. Gender- women’s leadership mentor
Consider how your giving
related funding criteria contributes programs that connect EY women
strategy aligns with the global
to addressing the WEHI gender professionals with high school
Sustainable Development
Goals, in particular SDG 5 on equality challenges by advancing girls from low socio-economic
gender equality the careers of women scientists, status communities.
as well as influencing the sector
more broadly to consider the specific
needs of parents and carers.
22 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 23Specific areas for action
Process Gender equality embedded
in software
Intersecting challenges need
multiple lenses
Purposeful and inclusive
program design
interventions
At Perpetual, funding administration In the recent 10x10 Community Telstra Foundation invests in social
is managed using Smartygrants Grants initiative, PwC Australia’s innovation enabled by technology
software – from application through Foundation sought to understand – in the areas of digital inclusion for
What internal processes will ensure women assessment, distribution of funds and prioritise the specific young people and community-led
and reporting. Perpetual were early needs of organisations who are climate action. Telstra Foundation
and girls are intentionally and equitably adopters of opt-in gender lens supporting those most affected works with partners on a range
considered in your distribution of giving? questions that ask applicants how by homelessness – at-risk young of initiatives that deliver digital
proposed and successful programs people, older women, women skills training to marginalized and
meet the specific needs of diverse escaping domestic violence, disadvantaged communities.
women and girls. These questions LGBTIQ+ people, First Nations Programs include designing digital
are embedded into the software to communities, and people with products, learning coding, creating
help applicants and funders ensure complex problems. The PwC with tech tools, and using data
gender equality is a key criterion Foundation drew on a range of and AI and mixed reality. Digital
for funding, and that attention to resources, including their work inclusion partners have incorporated
gender is intentional, consistently with the Constellation Project to gender as a consideration in their
High-impact actions Practical examples applied and sustained. Leading ensure they were able to support programs to ensure they optimise
philanthropists are always looking the most vulnerable populations. each program’s inclusivity. When
Include diverse representation Include agreed expectations Challenging assumptions for a way to improve their impact Having clear internal selection making funding decisions, Telstra
on boards and decision-making into funding and partnership through gender impact and for Perpetual, supporting criteria that also considered gender Foundation considers whether
committees agreements analysis organisations that apply a gender helped to ensure funding met there is a purposeful program
lens to their programs is a simple the grant objectives and reached design approach that addresses
Seek a gender analysis of Establish a process for rapidly
To pre-emptively consider how way to be more effective. There are the targeted beneficiaries. gender in the project. Outside of
the causes your organisation distributing emergency funding
a proposed policy, program enormous amounts of research that grants, Telstra Foundation supports
supports that considers the effects
or service might be shaped by, point to the benefits of a gender lens in-kind giving as a powerful tool for
on women and girls, so they
Request grant and partnership impact upon, or meet the different application, so it was important for women receiving grants as it can
are not overlooked
applications that show targeted needs of all members of the Perpetual to ask organisations seeking dramatically scaffold their projects.
beneficiaries by gender Build gender impact questions Victorian community, the Victorian funding whether they have done that Their approach recognises the
and the expected impact of into grant administration Government developed a guide work. It’s a small thing to ask but in untapped in-kind potential in the
the giving software to conducting a gender impact
Perpetual’s experience, it can provide grant-maker role to enable and
Build the inclusion of women Examine your employee and analysis. This toolkit includes
a funder with a lot of confidence about better support women who are
and girls into donation or matched giving programs principles that may be adapted
how their investment will be used. driving social innovation. For Telstra
program assessment criteria and platforms for opportunities by other organisations to help
Foundation, it’s not just about what
to highlight gender analysis challenge assumptions about
Focus on the different and you fund, but who you are funding.
and prioritise relevant causes how men, women and gender
specific needs, interests
non-binary people experience
and circumstances of women Understand how gender
issues, as well as consider
and girls when designing equality is valued and
additional barriers encountered
and delivering programs, either
directly or through a partner
prioritised in the organisations
you partner with, including
by other populations. The Gender equality can't be left to chance or be
processes, underpinned by data,
Consider tied (or conditional)
their gender equality strategy,
gender representation,
research and consultation, drive the responsibility of one individual – gender
funding of programs that
demonstrate intentional
and a respectful and inclusive
culture
decisions that articulate the key
costs and benefits for women,
equality must be built into our systems and
processes, including corporate giving.
and equal inclusion of women men and gender non-binary
and girls people and strategies to avoid any
harmful unintentional outcomes.
Tony Frencham
Senior Group Director, Worley
24 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 25Specific areas for action
Measurement
and reporting
Better understand impact We’re passionate about evidence-
and opportunity
How does measurement and reporting based practice and have always
ANZ has been measuring and
support more inclusive giving and have disclosing the dollar value of their undertaken a significant amount
a greater impact? community investment since 2005.
So when ANZ wanted to consider
of internal measurement and
how much of their investment evaluation and external research
contributed to programs and
initiatives that support women and with universities.
girls they were able to turn to their
data to find the answer – around I’ve always been surprised at
25%. This came as a surprise given
ANZ strategy was not particularly how infrequently we’re asked to
High-impact actions Practical examples
focused on gender equality in
terms of giving – with programs
share our data, including gender
largely aligned to the priority areas data, with funders and policy
Data for insights and of financial wellbeing, housing and
Understand how your
organisation currently
Be transparent about
reporting the impact of your action environmental sustainability. By makers. But it’s the prospecting
measures giving to women giving on women and girls
Telstra Foundation digital inclusion
drilling into their data , ANZ found of years of longitudinal data
and girls to boards, leadership teams, women were the primary participants
employees, customers and
partners are asked to report on
how projects funded assist girls
of financial inclusion programs and that shows up the nuances
Use inputs (e.g. money,
value and time); outputs
other stakeholders
and women and the data is
beneficiaries of certain housing
initiatives. For ANZ, it didn’t take
and patterns and pieces of gold.
(e.g. number of program Seek out and contribute reviewed annually – at both a
much additional work to report on
participants); outcomes to external benchmarking partner and portfolio level. Telstra
Foundation applies this to their
this breakdown of data in their annual Funders are missing the full
(e.g. school retention rates) frameworks and reports
and impacts (e.g. transition that have a focus on own programs as well. If there is
ESG Supplement. It also enabled
ANZ to better understand how they
picture if they’re not aware of the
a drop in numbers in any of the
to work or study) to understand
if your giving is equitable
gender-disaggregated
data and gender impact programs, they will know and can
can support women’s social and broader data sets of the projects
economic empowerment through
Regularly review your data
make adjustments. For example,
corporate giving. they support.
50% of Code Club Australia
to maintain a proportionate program participants are girls; Rebecca Scott OAM
investment in women and girls if this dips, Telstra knows the next CEO & Co-Founder, STREAT
step is to design the program to
Understand the opportunities
lift the numbers back up. So for
or limitations of not-for-profit
Telstra Foundation, it’s not just
partners to give you the level
about collecting data, it’s about
of reporting you require for
what you do with it.
gender analysis
Image: STREAT: Youth Program, TAFÉ Students.
Give specific consideration
and assistance to smaller
organisations to ensure
they are not unintentionally
excluded because of their
reporting limitations
26 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 27Specific areas for action
Supporting
not-for-profit
partners Enabling a gender lens Innovation and new thinking Valuing impact
on research to support scale measurement and
How can you support your not-for-profit assessment
As a recipient of philanthropic Access to bank accounts, financial
partners to deliver programs that consider the giving, WEHI is striving to put a education and business skills is At Atlassian, giving decisions are
needs of and equally benefit women and girls? gender lens on how funding for a significant challenge for micro- based on research that shows
medical research is allocated to its business owners in the Asia-Pacific investing in girls' education has
scientists. A prestigious internal region, who predominantly live a transformative impact. The
award for ‘blue sky’ research requires and work in a cash-only economy. current approach seeks to provide
applicants to consider gender Accenture supported Good Return unrestricted funding whenever
as part of the selection criteria in to scale up their efforts to support possible; however, Atlassian also
both experimental design and the low-income families to build their
High-impact actions Practical examples financial capacity by helping
recognises the importance of high-
research team. This could involve quality impact measurement and
using both male and female samples research, design and develop therefore they encourage not-for-
Strengthening capacity Partnering to reduce
Understand how current in the research in recognition of a custom smartphone app – My profit partners to invest in this area.
and capability funding inequities
or potential not-for-profit different manifestations of disease Money Tracker. Piloted in Cambodia, Historically, when most Atlassian
partners consider gender At Ashurst, Gender Rights & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in women and men. Another this digital tool supports women, funding was directed to specific
differences and gender- Diversity is one of four global pro girls face as many barriers to important factor for the selection particularly mothers, to take control programs, they typically worked
specific needs in their work bono priorities (including Citizenship completing school and moving committee is how the award will of the business and household with not-for-profit partners to
& Displacement, Racial Injustice, into employment as Aboriginal money. When a mother is in control
directly benefit women in science ensure the budget made allowance
Ask not-for-profit partners and Modern Slavery). Through and Torres Strait Islander boys.
who face particular barriers to career of the household money, the benefits for impact measurement. This
what system and process Gender Rights & Diversity, Ashurst Both need dedicated support, accrue to her family and to the wider
progression linked to a difficult contributes to building the evidence
changes your organisation works to address the structural but historically there has been community and helps them to
external funding environment. These about the success of programs,
needs to make to better disadvantages faced by women a significant disparity in funding escape the poverty cycle that they
awards can provide vital support to impact and future funding priorities.
support them in considering and girls. Their commitment is provided for girls programs. This
a woman researcher to continue her are trapped in.
gender equality also to LGBTI+ work, particularly means there is inequity in their
work and also assist junior women
the rights of transgender and opportunities and ultimately, in their
researchers in her team.
Contribute your expertise to gender non-conforming people. futures. Crown Resorts Foundation
improve not-for-profit partners’ In Australia, the focus has been has sought to address the imbalance.
gender equality measurement not only to provide individuals Ongoing funding and partnership
systems and/or reporting tools and gender rights organisations has supported the expansion of the
Dedicate a portion of your
with legal assistance, but also to Stars Foundation, an organisation Our relationships with corporate supporters are
increase the capacity and capability dedicated to ensuring Indigenous
funding to support not-for- of gender rights organisations girls and young women attend and incredibly important to us at FYA. Beyond financial
profit partners with gender through secondments, legal clinics remain engaged at school, complete
impact measurement and and the development of background Year 12 and move into full-time work generosity, the mutual benefits include shared
assessment
learning, insights, innovation, professional skills
advocacy material. For example, or further study. During this period
Redfern Legal Centre's 'Financial Stars has grown exponentially
Support not-for-profit partners’
broader efforts to advance
Abuse Legal Service' launched in
2019 with Ashurst as a foundation
as a result of its sophisticated
approach, strong governance,
and networks – all of these come together to
nurture and develop Australia’s young leaders
gender equality in their partner. This service provides free, excellent leadership and consistently
organisations confidential legal advice to people outstanding outcomes for students.
who have financial problems due The impact has been an increase and change makers.
to domestic and family violence. in students engaged in its programs
Ashurst financially supports from 400 in 2017 to 2,300 and more Nick Moraitis
this clinic, as well as through an than 90% Year 12 attainment for CEO, Foundation for Young Australians (FYA)
ongoing part-time secondment. senior students every year since 2016.
28 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 29Summary of actions: a staged approach
Actions that require more attention Actions that disrupt the status quo
Actions to set the foundation and collaboration and become long-term commitments
Become intentional about advancing Sharpen the focus on gender equality Keep gender equality in the frame
gender equality in your corporate giving in corporate giving
Seek a gender analysis of the causes your organisation
Understand your organisation’s philanthropic intent, Ensure giving strategies are not ‘gender neutral’ or supports
the causes your organisation supports and who unintentionally excluding women and girls
Require gender disaggregation of impact
benefits Seek to align the goals of your internal gender equality measurement and reporting where possible and
strategy and your giving strategy practical
Understand how your organisation currently measures
giving to women and girls Use inputs (e.g. money, value and time); outputs Consider how your giving strategy can be leveraged to
(e.g. number of program participants); outcomes address your organisation's gender equality challenges
Be clear on the drivers of your corporate giving (e.g. school retention rates) and impacts (e.g. transition
strategy (employee engagement? social licence? Consider how your giving strategy aligns with global
to work or study) to understand if your giving is equitable
brand enhancement? social impact?) and how they sustainable development goals, in particular SDG 5 on
are linked to your gender equality strategy Request grant and partnership applications that show gender equality
targeted beneficiaries by gender and the expected
Understand how the issues your organisation focuses Examine your employee and matched giving programs
impact of the giving
on specifically manifest for women and girls and platforms for opportunities to highlight gender
Build the inclusion of women and girls into donation analysis and prioritise relevant causes
Communicate your expectations on how gender or program assessment criteria
Build gender impact questions into grant
equality should be considered in corporate giving
Focus on the different and specific needs, interests administration software
strategies
and circumstances of women and girls when designing
and delivering programs, either directly or through Understand how gender equality is valued and
Include diverse representation on boards and
a partner prioritised in the organisations you partner with,
decision-making committees
including their gender equality strategy, gender
Consider tied (or conditional) funding of programs that representation and a respectful and inclusive culture
Understand how current or potential not-for-profit
demonstrate intentional and equal inclusion of women
partners consider gender differences and gender-
How do you choose
and girls Ask not-for-profit partners what system and process
specific needs in their work changes your organisation needs to make to better
Include agreed expectations into funding and
Personally and visibly advocate for giving intentionally partnership agreements
support them in considering gender equality
your causes?
to advance gender equality Contribute your expertise to improve not-for-profit
Establish a process for rapidly distributing emergency partners’ gender equality measurement systems
funding that considers the effects on women and girls,
and/or reporting tools Are you doing as much
Image: Mahboba's Promise, September 2019. Photographer: Mariam Alimi.
so they are not overlooked
Regularly review your overall giving to maintain a
Support not-for-profit partners’ broader efforts to
advance gender equality in their organisations
good as you can?
proportionate investment in women and girls
Seek out and contribute to external benchmarking
Understand the opportunities or limitations of not-
for-profit partners to give you the level of reporting
frameworks and reports that have a focus on gender- How do you know?
disaggregated data and gender impact
you require for gender analysis
Give specific consideration and assistance to smaller
Be transparent about reporting the impact of your
giving on women and girls to board, leadership teams,
Do you share what
organisations to ensure they are not unintentionally
excluded because of their reporting limitations
employees, customers and other stakeholders you learn?
Dedicate a portion of your funding to support not-
for-profit partners with gender impact measurement
and assessment
30 ◆ AUSTRALIANS INVESTING IN WOMEN | CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE COALITION SHARPENING OUR FOCUS ON CORPORATE GIVING ◆ 31You can also read
