PERPETUAL LIMITED `
Media Release
Applications open for 2016 Not-for-Profit Governance Scholarships
With two thirds of not-for-profits (NFPs) identifying lack of board experience as a key concern within their organisationsi, Perpetual, the Australian Scholarships Foundation and Australian Institute of Company Directors have come together to help support the learning and
development of directors and chairs operating in the NFP sector.
Perpetual today announced the opening of applications for the fifth annual Not-for-Profit Governance Scholarship program, offering 245 scholarships for NFP directors and chairs and giving them the opportunity to improve their leadership and governance skills.
The courses are funded by the Perpetual Foundation and JS Love Trust, which is managed by Perpetual, and are run by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
With an estimated 60,000 charities operating in Australia, employing more than 900,000 staff or approximately eight per cent of the Australian workforce, the economic scale of the NFP sector is considerableii. However, budget constraints often mean access to education and training is limited.
'Investing in the training and development of not-for-profit directors and chairs is critical to improving their skill set and building the capacity of the sector,' said Perpetual's National Manager Philanthropy & Non Profit Services, Caitriona Fay.
'As one of the largest managers of charitable wealth in Australia, one of Perpetual's key objectives is to contribute to the advancement of the NFP sector and the quality of its leadership, governance, capability and accountability.
'These scholarships are a key component of our commitment to IMPACT philanthropy - investment that achieves long-lasting, maximum benefit to the community - and that means supporting the continuing development of the sector's leaders.'
With donors more prudent than ever in ensuring they are supporting organisations that manage finances efficiently and effectively, AICD's NFP Sector Leader, Phil Butler, said enhancing governance levels was a high priority for NFPs.
'These scholarships are a wonderful opportunity for directors and chairs of NFP organisations to participate in governance programs and interact with fellow directors on the key issues affecting their organisations. We know from research this training provides excellent ongoing benefits not just to the individual directors but to their organisations as well,' he said.
As the administrator of the scholarships, Australian Scholarships Foundation Chairman Paul Murnane said a small improvement in the NFP sector's effectiveness can mean big gains for the Australian community.
'NFPs control significant assets and have a large workforce, and they are growing in both size and importance. Improved leadership and management capacity is critical to creating efficient and effective NFPs that contribute to the ongoing creation of vital social capital.'
This year will see the addition of a new course to the program. The Governance Foundations for Directors course will be supplemented by the Advanced Not-For-Profit Governance course which will be open to NFP directors seeking to further their professional contribution and improve the performance of their board. The Role of the Not-For-Profit Chairman program will continue as a mastery class.
On completion of this round of scholarships, the NFP Governance Scholarship program will have provided governance education and support to almost 1,700 decision-makers in the NFP sector.
Applications are now open until Tuesday 27 October 2015. The courses will be held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in February 2016. For more information and to apply, visit www.scholarships.org.au.
02 8248 3745 / 0438 672 235
jarrah@honner.com.au
Perpetual is one of Australia's largest managers and distributors of philanthropic funds with $2.3 billion in funds under advice (as at 30 June 2015). Perpetual is trustee for more than 1,100 charitable trusts and endowments and provides individuals and families with advice on establishing charitable foundations and structured giving programs. Perpetual also assists charities and not-for-profit organisations with investment advice and management.
Perpetual's Philanthropic Services and advice are provided by Perpetual Trustee Company Limited (PTCo), ABN 42 000 001 007, AFSL 236643. This publication has been prepared by PTCo and contains information contributed by third parties. It contains general information only and is not intended to provide advice or take into account personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information is believed to be accurate at the time of compilation and is provided by PTCo in good faith. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. PTCo does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information included in this document which was contributed by a third party.
Australian Scholarships Foundation (ASF) is the only Australian organisation solely focused on funding and facilitating scholarships for Australian not for profit (NFP) directors and staff to undertake education, training and mentoring programs that improve their ability to lead and manage their organisations. ASF's purpose is to increase the overall effectiveness of the NFP sector through education, training and development of the sector.
ASF has funded and facilitated over $5m of scholarships for the NFP sector over the last five years and has partnerships with 25 universities and private education providers across Australia. Further information about ASF is available at www.scholarships.org.au
The Australian Institute of Company Directors provides education, information and advocacy for company directors Australia wide, with offices in each state to cater for more than 35,000 members. Our members work in diverse corporations such as small-to-medium enterprises, the ASX200 corporations, public sector organisations, not-for- profit companies, large private companies and smaller private family concern.
Perpetual NFP Governance Survey, January 2015. The findings are based on a survey of 165 participants in the 2015 scholarship program
Curtin Charities 2013 Report, Penny Knight and David Gilchrist, Curtin University, September 2014 http://acnc.gov.au/curtincharitiesreport2013
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