Across Australia, demand on community organisations supporting women and families is rising, driven by cost-of-living pressures, housing instability, and the ongoing impacts of family violence.

At the same time, funding is often fragmented, short-term, disconnected, and difficult for organisations to scale meaningful long-term impact.

A new coalition of 11 philanthropic funders aims to change this.

Announced at the Women Deliver 2026 conference in Melbourne by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, the coalition has committed an initial $32.8 million to support community-led initiatives through coordinated, long-term investment, co-funding, and shared learning.

Backing Community-Led Solutions

Convened by the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF), the coalition is built on a simple principle: communities already know what works, and philanthropy’s role is to back and strengthen those solutions.

PRF CEO Professor Kristy Muir said the goal is to move toward “long-term, connected and collaborative” funding that better supports women, families, and communities.

Focus Areas

The coalition will invest in two priority areas:

• Women leading in place: strengthening community-led leadership and local solutions
• Ending family violence: supporting prevention and helping women and children recover and rebuild safety and stability

A Shift in How Funding Works

Participating funders include the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Australian Communities Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, Snow Foundation, Fondation CHANEL, The Myer Foundation, and others.

They will work together over one to three years, aligning funding decisions, co-investing in initiatives, and sharing learning to reduce fragmentation and increase impact.

Early Investments

Initial supported initiatives include:

• Common Threads: First Nations-led community solutions
• Community Foundations Australia: growing local giving for gender equity
• Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia: supporting women leading climate transition responses
• Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand: supporting women recovering from family violence and financial insecurity

Building a Long-Term Platform for Change

The coalition is designed as an ongoing platform for collaboration, with future opportunities for shared funding rounds, coordinated investment, and expanded participation.

It reflects a broader shift in philanthropy toward longer-term, community-led, and collaborative approaches to complex social challenges.