The recipients of the sixth annual Australian Philanthropy Awards have been announced, recognising excellence and innovation in the sector ‘at the end of a complex and challenging year’.

Following a record number of nominations, Awards were presented to recipients across nine Award categories: Leading Philanthropist, Better Philanthropy, Bolder Philanthropy, Best Grant Program, Community Philanthropy, Environmental Philanthropy, Indigenous Philanthropy, Gender-wise Philanthropy and International Philanthropy.

Australia’s highest philanthropic honour, the Leading Philanthropist Award, was awarded to Carol Schwartz AO in recognition of her outstanding contribution to philanthropy and her insights into giving, community, leadership and gender.

Acknowledging the challenges of 2020, Philanthropy Australia CEO Sarah Davies highlighted the critical role that philanthropy has played in supporting community throughout this difficult year, and the importance of strategic, best practice philanthropy as we collectively recover and rebuild.

‘We started the year with the devastating bushfires, followed swiftly by the global health pandemic, and now we face social and economic challenges, volatility and vulnerability,’ Sarah said.

‘Never has there been a more important time for Australian philanthropy. We have been so inspired and energised by the way our members have responded – generously, cleverly, nimbly, strategically.’

The Australian Philanthropy Awards recognise and celebrate extraordinary achievements in contemporary philanthropy. They also celebrate partnerships between philanthropy and for-purpose organisations and honour those who are working to create lasting, positive change.

The stories behind the 2020 recipients and their projects are available on the Philanthropy Australia website.