More than 400 not-for-profit board directors across Australia will soon access transformative governance training, thanks to a landmark philanthropic partnership between the Centre for Social Impact and Minderoo Foundation.
The multi-year initiative will provide scholarships and access to more than 430 charity directors to participate in the bespoke Governance for Social Impact course. Designed to move NFP leaders beyond regulatory duties, the program is recognised across the sector as a “life-changing” experience in shifting the focus from organisational survival to deepening social impact.
Across Australia more than 250,000 directors govern approximately 52,000 registered charities[1]. While these leaders hold the keys to systemic change, the majority are volunteers, and many organisations remain unable to invest in professional development due to financial constraints.
The Governance for Social Impact course was specifically designed to bridge the gap between compliance and mission. Delivered virtually, it has already been completed by over 1,000 directors and repeatedly boasts a world-class Net Promoter Score.
Centre for Social Impact CEO, Arminé Nalbandian, thanked the Minderoo Foundation for its investment in growing the capabilities of for-purpose leaders, saying the investment would have catalytic effect across the sector.
“Governance is one of the most under-recognised levers for systems change in the social sector,” she said. “Boards shape what is possible for not-for-profit organisations, but too often they are trained to manage risk rather than to maximise impact.
“With the right capability, directors can move beyond sustaining services to actively shaping the systems that deliver better outcomes for people, communities and the environment.
“This landmark investment from the Minderoo Foundation will help build a generation of impact-led boards – equipping directors with the mindset and practical tools to stay mission-focused, navigate complexity and drive lasting systems change.”
Minderoo’s Effective Philanthropy Executive Director, Kristen Stevenson, said the foundation was deeply committed to investing in sector capability for systems change.
“Australia’s for-purpose sector tackles the challenges that government and business can’t solve alone, but too many organisations are stuck in a cycle of scarcity – held together by passionate people but underfunded, underpowered and asked to do more with less,” she said.
“We believe the sector needs investment to amplify its impact and help drive a fairer, more resilient and ambitious Australia. These scholarships will play an important role in equipping more not-for-profit board directors with the tools and strategies to effectively govern for deepened and scaled social impact.”
The funding will also support the Centre for Social Impact to help mature impact-led governance as a field by lifting knowledge and shaping norms, expectations and practical capability around board roles in the sector.
In their own words, previous course participants have said:
“This course is absolutely brilliant and should be mandatory for all for-purpose leaders. The content is useful, informative, interesting and critical if you lead or govern for social impact.”
“This governance training program is world leading in equipping board members to help their organisation live its mission.”
The Centre for Social Impact will host a webinar with more information on March 5 2026 – sign up here. Find out more about the Governance for Social Impact course here.
[1] Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), Australian Charities Report, 11th edition, ACNC, Canberra. Available at: https://www.acnc.gov.au/tools/reports/australian-charities-report-11th-edition
Contact details:
Pia Akerman 0412 346 746