Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Krystian Seibert
Reform of deductible recipient system a big topic at charities Pre-election Forum
Philanthropy Australia was pleased to see deductible gift recipient (DGR) system reform discussed by speakers from both main political parties at a community sector event in Canberra ahead of the election. The reform is a high priority for Philanthropy Australia. The Charities and Not-for-profit Pre-Election Forum, organised by the Community Council for Australia with the National Press Club last Wednesday, brought together leaders from across the charities and wider NFP sector.
Building the foundations for future giving in Australia
As the philanthropic sector waits for the federal government to respond to the Productivity Commission's report on philanthropy, almost six months after receiving it, report co-author and former Productivity Commission associate commissioner Krystian Seibert reflects on the inquiry itself and why reform matters. The Productivity Commission’s philanthropy inquiry analysed motivations for philanthropic giving in Australia and opportunities to grow it further.
Consultation on the Final Component of New Community Foundations DGR Category
Fri, 8 Nov 2024 Estimated reading times: 2 minutes The Australian Government has released draft ministerial guidelines for community foundations for public consultation. The guidelines are the final component needed before the new deductible gift recipient (DGR) category for community foundations can commence operation. The guidelines will apply to entities within the new DGR category, outlining requirements for governance, record keeping and permitted activities.
The future foundations of giving in Australia
A recent Productivity Commission inquiry report sets out draft proposals for reforming policies supporting Australian philanthropy. In February 2023, the Australian government commissioned the Productivity Commission to undertake a wide-ranging inquiry to identify and assess reform opportunities to grow philanthropy.
Looking to the future of philanthropy
The Productivity Commission discusses its findings on how to grow giving in Australia and calls for more feedback ahead of its final report in May 2024 Already an F&P Member? Log in Or become an F&P member and get access to fundraising insights, best practice, case studies, thought leadership and more. Exclusive Research and Benchmarks Dedicated Member Care Manager Learn more about our membership packages
Dear Commissioner: Krystian Seibert
In part five of Dear Commissioner, Krystian Seibert offers the yet-to-be-appointed ACNC commissioner some advice involving Tina Turner. Note from the editor: welcome to Dear Commissioner, a five-part series we will be running each day this week.
March 2022 - Alliance magazine
Against a backdrop of existing social and economic inequalities, the global Covid pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems for the most vulnerable. Globally, those suffering from the impact of war, extreme poverty, famine and climate change are those who suffer most acutely, both materially and psychologically. As with so many other issues, it is therefore the most vulnerable people and communities who should be at the forefront of philanthropy’s response.
Mental health philanthropy - Alliance magazine
Special feature Does philanthropy have a mental health problem?
still in the shadows
Despite increasing attention during the pandemic, mental health philanthropy is still lagging behind. Many explanations have been given for this: the difficulty of diagnosis, the stigma mental illness can bring with it, the lack of a coordinated response from the medical and funding communities. In this virtual event, we'll be exploring the current state of mental health philanthropy, and what can be done to better support the sector.
Are charities being silenced? Why a new law is alarming activists and could scuttle their election campaigns
The final two sitting weeks of parliament this year have provided both good and bad news for Australian charities. Last week provided the good news, with new government regulations that would have curtailed the ability of charities to engage in protest disallowed by the Senate, meaning they will not take effect. Charities were relieved to see this, as many faced the prospect of having to pull back on certain advocacy activities.
Are charities being silenced? Why a new law is alarming activists and could scuttle their election campaigns
The final two sitting weeks of parliament this year have provided both good and bad news for Australian charities. Last week provided the good news, with new government regulations that would have curtailed the ability of charities to engage in protest disallowed by the Senate, meaning they will not take effect. Charities were relieved to see this, as many faced the prospect of having to pull back on certain advocacy activities.
Are charities being silenced? Why a new law is alarming activists and could scuttle their election campaigns
The final two sitting weeks of parliament this year have provided both good and bad news for Australian charities. Last week provided the good news, with new government regulations[1] that would have curtailed the ability of charities to engage in protest disallowed by the Senate[2], meaning they will not take effect. Charities were relieved to see this, as many faced the prospect of having to pull back on certain advocacy activities.
The government is clamping down on charities - and it could have a chilling effect on peaceful protest
The government is clamping down on charities – and it could have a chilling effect on peaceful protest 6 July 2021 at 8:34 am There is no clear evidence that new regulations intended to crack down on “illegal behaviour” are even needed, writes Krystian Seibert, who explains what the proposed regulations could mean for charities. The Australian government introduced new regulations last week that could have a major chilling effect across Australia’s diverse charities sector.
The government is clamping down on charities - and it could have a chilling effect on peaceful protest
The Australian government introduced new regulations last week that could have a major chilling effect across Australia’s diverse charities sector. The government’s aim was clear: the regulations are intended to target “activist organisations”, and specifically crack down on “unlawful behaviour”. Despite this rhetoric, there is no evidence unlawful behaviour by charities is a problem of any significance.
The dos and don'ts of donating - how to give wisely this Christmas
Christmas is nearly here, and as we enjoy buying presents for family and friends, it’s also a time when many of us think about donating to charity. As last summer’s bushfires showed, the devastation caused by natural disasters can lead to an outpouring of generosity. This Christmas is also different because of the very challenging year we’ve experienced. Read more: Feeling pressured to buy Christmas presents?
Celeste Barber's story shows us the power of celebrity fundraising ... and the importance of reading the fine print
Comedian Celeste Barber’s whopping $51 million bushfire fundraiser showed us just how generous people can be in times of trouble. But the need to seek the NSW Supreme Court’s advice about how to spend the funds also demonstrates how tricky things can become when large amounts of money are involved. As someone who researches the regulation of philanthropy and the not-for-profit sector, the episode is both a lesson in reading the fine print and the need for simpler donations laws.
Pandemic – A time to demonstrate philanthropy at its best - Alliance magazine
Krystian Seibert shares his reflections about what the COVID-19 pandemic means for the Australian charities sector and four things philanthropy needs to do. I hesitated writing this piece. Because everywhere I look, be it news websites or Twitter or Facebook or anywhere else, people are talking about the COVID-19 pandemic. Personally, I feel I need a break from it, I was therefore intent on writing about something unrelated, namely fundraising regulation. But that will have to wait until next month.
How to donate to Australian bushfire relief: give money, watch for scams and think long term
The devastation of the Australian bushfires has generated an outpouring of generosity amongst Australians. We have been giving directly to charities such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and others working on the ground to support survivors. Many of us have contributed to appeals such as Celeste Barber’s, which, at the time of writing, has raised A$42 million for the NSW Rural Fire Service. At the time of writing, celebrity Celeste Barber had raised $42 million.
Australian philanthropy needs more crowd power
Philanthropy’s ability to give up power will actually demonstrate the sector’s maturity, writes Krystian Seibert, who argues it’s time for Australian philanthropic organisations to move towards a more participatory grantmaking model. At Philanthropy Australia’s Philanthropy Meets Parliament Summit in September, one of the international guest speakers, Karl Zinsmeister of the Philanthropy Roundtable, made what I thought was an interesting point about the nature of philanthropy.
Philanthropy must say no to ‘no-go’ zones
I read Charles Keidan’s editorial (Alliance, June 2019) with great interest. As his visit to Gaza occurred only a few months after the end of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead and given Hamas’ stance in relation to Israel and the Jewish peoples, I can understand why some colleagues of Charles’ may have thought it an unwise decision to travel there. However I do think it is a good example of how philanthropy should approach not just peace-building, but its work more broadly.
Amazon fires expose the weakness of government and the power of philanthropy
Amazon fires expose the weakness of government and the power of philanthropy Thursday, 29th August 2019 at 8:41 am World leaders are caught in a spat over money while philanthropy is starting to flow, showing how philanthropy can be nimble and responsive where government has failed and why being “undemocratic” is actually what we need more of in a democracy, writes Krystian Seibert.
Yes, GetUp fights for progressive causes, but it is not a political party - and is not beholden to one
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Scott Morrison launched a new assault on the campaigning group GetUp. At the Liberal Party’s state conference in Adelaide, he said GetUp needed to be “accountable for what they say and do”. They want to be in the political space, fine, call yourself a political party. GetUp has been in the government’s firing line for several years now. This isn’t surprising.
Dear baby boomers: Australian philanthrophy needs your help
People experience philanthropy in Australia in a variety of ways, often without even realising it. It might be a new hospital wing that was constructed using funds from a generous donor, or an art exhibition made possible through the support of a group of philanthropic foundations. Philanthropy played a key role supporting the Yes campaign in the 2017 marriage equality vote, and right now it’s funding advocacy to lift the rate of Newstart. From time to time we hear about big pledges in the news.
New electoral law could still hobble charities
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has released its report into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017. The bill seeks to ban foreign donations to political parties and their “associated entities”. But it also seeks to capture organisations, including charities, that undertake public advocacy on policy issues.
It’s Time We Had a Not-for-Profit Sector Ombudsman
The not-for-profit sector lacks a champion within the Australian government, writes Krystian Seibert. According to the most recent Australian Charities Report, in 2016 the Australian charities sector had income of $142.8 billion – that’s larger than Australia’s agriculture sector! It employs 1.3 million people – that’s more than each of the retail trade, manufacturing, mining and construction sectors.
Philanthropy is Energised by the Power of Advocacy
Philanthropy is excited about the opportunity to achieve impact through funding advocacy, writes Krystian Seibert, the advocacy and insight manager at Philanthropy Australia. The Civil Voices report, which was published by Pro Bono Australia and the Human Rights Law Centre in December, had many concerning findings in it about the state of not-for-profit advocacy in Australia.
Predictions for 2018: Philanthropy | PBA
2018 will be another big year for charities and philanthropy in Australia writes Krystian Seibert, the advocacy and insight manager at Philanthropy Australia, in the first in a series of predictions for the coming year from leading experts across the social sector. Here are my predictions for what I think will happen in 2018, and for (some of the) things I would like to happen in 2018.
Charity regulators should not assume that donors always know best
Last week, the government appointed Gary Johns to head the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the independent national charities regulator. In an opinion piece published in The Australian, Johns outlined some of his priorities in his new role.
Cultivating Legitimacy in Philanthropy
Philanthropy & Funding It’s worth remembering that communities have the power to take away philanthropy’s social license to operate. By Krystian Seibert Jun. 16, 2017 Philanthropy amongst the mega-rich in the United States is booming, and—beyond “traditional charity”—much of it involves engaging in public policy debates on everything from education to climate change. The opportunity to make a real difference on these issues is tangible.
Twiggy Forrest donation: more philanthropy means more risk-taking
Monday’s announcement by mining magnate Andrew Forrest and his wife, Nicola, that they will commit A$400 million toward a range of causes was an important day for Australian philanthropy. The size of the philanthropic commitment – Australia’s largest ever by living donors – certainly drew attention, as did the direction of the funds toward ambitious initiatives. There’s $75 million for a global drive to end modern slavery.
Australian charities are well regulated, but changes are needed to cut red tape
Charities exist to benefit the public and do vital work across Australia. They therefore receive support from both governments and the community. This leads to an expectation that they will be subject to some form of regulation to ensure they are transparent and accountable, and operating for charitable purposes. Because of the high regard the community has for charities, there is often widespread anger when charities do the wrong thing.
Infographic: a snapshot of charities and giving in Australia
Abigail Powell receives funding from the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission to deliver the analysis of Annual Information Statements that formed the Australian Charities Report in 2015 and 2014. She also received funding from the Australian Research Council, Good Shepherd Microfinance, Department of Social Services, NSW Federation of Housing Associations, Homelessness NSW and NSW Family and Community Services.
Explainer: what are the limits to charities advancing political causes?
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission announced this week that Catch the Fire Ministries had lost its charitable status. This means it loses entitlements to various Commonwealth tax concessions and exemptions. Catch the Fire Ministries, which was registered as a charity advancing religion, is based in Melbourne’s outer-east and is led by Danny Nalliah.
Better philanthropy means citizen-centric philanthropy - Generosity Magazine
Citizen-centric philanthropy can be interchangeably referred to as ‘user-centric philanthropy’, and by its very nature involves a form of ‘participatory’ grant making. But as with all these things, the name isn’t what matters, but rather what it means.
Should Impact Investing Require Social License to Operate?
With the growth in impact investing, some questions are being asked about the legitimacy of impact investing and how accountable it is to the community. This was the subject of a recent article by Morgan Simon published in the Nonprofit Quarterly.
Should Impact Investing Require Social License to Operate?
With the growth in impact investing, some questions are being asked about the legitimacy of impact investing and how accountable it is to the community. This was the subject of a recent article by Morgan Simon published in the Nonprofit Quarterly.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Krystian
Contact Krystian, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack