Philanthropy Australia Conference

Mobilising giving: What Australians think about charities, philanthropy and giving

New research from More in Common, presented by CEO Tim Dixon at the Philanthropy Australia Conference in Brisbane, September 2026.

Our latest polling of over 2,000 Australians explores what that means for charities and philanthropy: where the public's trust sits, what they want funders to prioritise, and how they expect the sector to navigate a polarised moment.

What we found

1. Australians want common ground, not victory. By a margin of almost 4–1, Australians want leadership that rises above division and finds common ground to fix what's broken, rather than their side always needing to win. By a similar margin, they believe Australia's problems can be fixed.
2. Division is a stronger perception than a lived reality. People who follow political news daily are more than 50% more likely to feel the country is divided – yet Australians are far more likely to have had a respectful conversation with someone who thinks differently than a serious argument.
3. Charities hold a rare store of public trust. 79% of Australians think charities do good – including 62% of One Nation voters – and 73% think charity leaders are in touch with ordinary Australians. Few institutions can say the same.
4. Giving is the norm, not the exception. Australians are twice as likely to have given to a charity in the past year than not.
5. The public's priorities are clear. Homelessness, older Australians and medical research top the list of where people want foundations to focus. And they most strongly back funding for the everyday infrastructure of community life – public libraries, youth groups and local sports clubs.
6. Change lands better when it adds rather than takes away. On questions like Indigenous place names, Australians are far more supportive of adding to what's already there than replacing it. 

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