Tech founders are fast becoming one of the most influential forces in Australian philanthropy. With bold ambitions, a bias for action, and billions already committed, this new wave of major donors is emerging as a powerful force for change.

Join us as we unpack findings from the new Australian Tech Giving Report, developed by StartGiving and the Centre for Social Impact UWA. You’ll gain exclusive insights into what drives tech givers, how their approach differs from traditional philanthropy, and what this shift means for not-for-profits looking to engage with tomorrow’s major donors.

Whether you’re new to this space or ready to deepen your engagement with emerging donors, this session will equip you with fresh ideas, real-world examples, and practical strategies to connect with Australia’s innovation generation.

Key Themes

This free online session will explore the big ideas and emerging trends shaping tech philanthropy in Australia, and what they mean for the future of giving. Highlights will include;
✔ What motivates the innovation generation to give - and give big!
✔ How tech giving differs from traditional philanthropy
✔ Lessons from a unicorn founder turned tech giver
✔ Why the sector must adapt its approach to engage tech givers
✔ The philanthropic potential behind Australia’s $250bn tech economy

Report Highlights - A Preview

The Australian Tech Giving Report is the first of its kind, exploring the state and potential of personal giving by the tech sector. Here’s a glimpse at what the research reveals:

Tech giving is accelerating fast: Tech founders’ share of major philanthropic grants has grown from 1% to 21% in just a few years.
Australia’s tech community is twice as likely to give as the average taxpayer.
There’s nearly $20 billion already committed by some of the country’s wealthiest tech leaders, with even greater potential ahead.

Guest Speakers

Antonia Ruffell, CEO, StartGiving
Antonia Ruffell is CEO of StartGiving, a not-for-profit inspiring a culture of giving in the tech startup sector. With over two decades of experience, she is one of Australia’s leading voices on philanthropy and social impact. At StartGiving, Antonia helps successful tech founders and execs to start and scale their giving. She was formerly CEO of Australian Philanthropic Services and has held leadership roles across the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Antonia is a director of UNICEF Australia, and several charitable foundations. She also chairs the advisory council for the Centre for Social Impact Giving Academy.

Anthony Woods, Tech Giver, and Co-Founder, Grafana Labs

Anthony Woods and his wife Joanne are quietly committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of young people across Western Australia. Through the AOJ Woods Foundation, their family foundation, they focus on supporting neurodiverse and disadvantaged youth by funding programs that enhance mental health, promote inclusion, and build strong communities.

Anthony, co-founder of Grafana Labs, a global tech company valued at over US$6 billion grounded in accessibility and openness - principles that align closely with the foundation’s values. While his professional impact spans continents, his and Joanne’s philanthropic focus remains firmly rooted in their home state.

Associate Professor Leanne Lester, Research Manager, Centre for Social Impact UWA

Leanne Lester is an epidemiologist and biostatistician with over 25 years’ experience. She specialises in research methodology, data collection, linkage and analysis across business, not-for-profit, education and advocacy sectors. Her work spans evaluations of mental health, FDV services, homelessness, Indigenous programs and philanthropy. Leanne was a lead author of the StartGiving Australian Tech Giving Report 2025, the first benchmark of philanthropy in Australia’s tech sector.

Host: Arminé Nalbandian, CEO, Centre for Social Impact
Arminé Nalbandian is a public policy leader with a career spanning social impact, international development and public sector leadership. She is currently the CEO of the Centre for Social Impact, a national collaboration of Australian universities dedicated to advancing social change through education, research and community engagement. Her public service includes several senior appointments within the New South Wales (NSW) Government, most notably as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy to the NSW Premier. Arminé is a Fulbright Scholar with degrees from Northeastern University, the London School of Economics, and the University of Sydney. Committed to systems reform, she champions evidence-based policy, capability building and community empowerment across sectors.

Contact the host of Riding the Tech Wave: How Charities Can Positively Engage with the Innovation Generation