This May, Sydney Community Foundation is launching something we’ve been dreaming about for a long time: Greater Sydney Giving Week—five days dedicated to celebrating the power of local giving and deepening the culture of philanthropy across our city.
From 4-8 May, we’re bringing together donors, professional advisers, community organisations, artists, students and civic leaders for conversations, community site visits, roundtables on pressing issues, and hosting sessions to demystify structured giving and legacies. Each moment is designed to showcase what’s possible when communities invest in themselves.
If you have any queries about any of our events please call our team on 8030 7050 or email enquiries@sydcf.org.au
Monday 4 May 5.30pm – 8pm at 35-39 Dickson Street Newtown.
Celebrate the launch of ‘Love Where You Live‘, our matched EOFY fundraising campaign focused on strengthening social cohesion across Sydney Enjoy live music, delicious food and drinks, and great company as we open the doors to our new community hub.
Tuesday 5 May 11am – 1.30pm at 35-39 Dickson Street Newtown.
A deep dive over lunch into Sydney Community Foundation’s long-term priority programs—Sydney Women’s Fund, the Keeping Women Out of Prison (KWOOP) coalition, IMPACT100 Sydney and our newest Schools for Impact program. Presentations by our expert team driving change in Sydney.
Tuesday 5 May 3:30–5pm at 35-39 Dickson Street Newtown.
An intimate, invitation-only roundtable bringing together Australia’s leading gender equity funders to translate global feminist momentum into meaningful local action. By Invite only.
Wednesday 6 May 5.30pm-7.30pm at Union, University & Schools Club, Sydney.
The Maybanke Fund welcomes internationally recognised leader Romilly Madew AO for this year’s annual lecture. Romilly will speak on Changing Systems, Not Just Careers — reflecting on what it takes to lead across sectors and shape systems. $50 per person book here
Thursday 7 May 9:15am–2.30pm 35-39 Dickson St, Newtown
Go behind the scenes with three of Sydney Women’s Fund’s charity partners — The Social Outfit, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, and Plate it Forward — and meet the changemakers driving impact in our community. Finished with a delicious lunch at Kolkata Social.
Friday 8 May at 35 -39 Dickson Street, Newtown
10-11am (Adviser session): A morning tea for advisers about structured giving, bequests and how they work.
12-1pm (Donor session): An intimate gathering for bequesters and the bequest-curious exploring the power of legacy giving. Hear from a fellow supporter on why they chose to leave a lasting mark, and discover how your estate can become part of something that endures.
Greater Sydney Giving Week is about building something lasting—a culture where giving is part of how we live. We want to build a city where people feel genuinely connected to the organisations and communities creating change in their own backyard.
Sydney Community Foundation thanks Minderoo and Australian Ethical Investment for their support of Greater Sydney Giving Week.
We hope to see you in May!
82% of Australians say their neighbours would help them in a crisis.
Community has always been part of Sydney’s social fabric. A city built on the ideal that no matter where we come from, we all deserve to feel that we belong. At a time when many people feel under pressure and pulled further apart, investing in community is one of the most powerful ways we can rebuild trust, belonging and hope.
That is why Sydney Community Foundation is launching Love Where You Live. A call to every Sydneysider to stand behind the people and places helping this city stay connected, inclusive and resilient. This campaign marks the beginning of the inaugural Greater Sydney Giving week, which we are kicking off with our matched giving program. Every dollar donated will be doubled thanks to our generous matched funders.
Join us in shaping a stronger, more compassionate Sydney, one where everyone has the chance to belong.
Plate It Forward started with food, but it has always been about people. Founded by Shaun Christie-David, it’s a social enterprise that celebrates culture, community, and the stories behind every dish. Across their network of venues (Colombo Social, Kabul Social, Kyiv Social and Kolkata Social) and their catering and event services, Plate it Forward hires refugees and people who face systemic barriers to employment. Through Plate It Forward’s meal program, meals are donated each week to people experiencing food insecurity across Sydney, with more than 640,000 meals donated and counting.
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre has been a safe and welcoming place in the Inner West for the last 50 years for people who need support- whether that’s a warm welcome, a listening ear, a meal, or help finding a stable place to live. Their work spans the entire community, providing the essential social infrastructure that allows communities to thrive. They help over 500 people a year through specialist homelessness and boarding house programs, support older residents through their Healthy Ageing Hub, provide free English and Literacy classes, and bring the community together through inclusive events and celebrations.
The Social Outfit is a fashion label and accredited social enterprise empowering women from refugee and migrant backgrounds through training and paid employment in clothing design, production and retail. The Social Outfit brings new voices to the fashion industry, contributing to women's economic empowerment within an ethical, local manufacturing context. From their store in Newtown and workroom in Marrickville they have trained over 1350 women, provided employment to over 125 women and paid them more than $2 million dollars in wages.
