Fixing Australian Philanthropy: Why DGR Reform Matters

A live Inflection Points podcast, co-hosted with Effective Altruism Australia

Australia gives billions of dollars to charity each year. But the rules governing where those dollars can go are outdated, inconsistent, and often misaligned with impact.

Join Inflection Points and Effective Altruism Australia (EAA) at the Wheeler Centre for a live podcast recording examining how Australia’s Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) system restricts philanthropic impact – and what could be unlocked if it were reformed.

Hosted by Jonathan O’Brien (Editor in Chief, Inflection Points), the evening will begin with a series of short talks exploring how the current DGR framework shapes funding decisions in practice: which problems attract support, which solutions struggle to scale, and how well-intentioned donors are often constrained by the system itself. These provocations will set up a panel discussion on what a more rational, transparent, and impact-focused approach to philanthropy could look like.

Short talks from:

• Clare Ozich, Campaign Manager for Not-for-Profit Law at Justice Connect – provides an overview of the current DGR system, why it is not fit for purpose, and the solutions for reform the Unlock DGR campaign is advocating to better support the work of Australia’s charities.  

• Ryan Ginard, Head of Sector Development & Innovation, Minderoo Foundation –  explains how if we don’t address the structural issues to access DGR status the very foundations on how we seek to leverage the opportunities of a $5.4 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer are in jeopardy.

• Grace Adams, CEO, Effective Altruism Australia – on how DGR rules limit the flow of funding to some of the most important issues of our time, like animal welfare and catastrophic risks and the scale of impact currently left on the table.

The panel discussion, moderated by Myriam Robin, Senior Writer, AFR will explore:

• How the current DGR system restricts impact, even when donors want to do more good

• What types of organisations and approaches are excluded or disadvantaged under existing rules

• What meaningful DGR reform could unlock for donors, charities, and the communities they aim to serve

• What concrete reforms are being proposed, and how people can help move them forward

Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of why DGR reform matters, what’s at stake if nothing changes, and how to take action in support of a more effective Australian philanthropy system after the event.

Tickets are $10 (with a free ticket option for those who cannot afford a ticket). Any additional donations beyond event costs will go to EAA’s Top Charities Fund, supporting organisations with strong evidence of cost-effective impact.