Philanthropy is changing. It’s moving away from cheque-writing by individuals and toward collective, values-driven action, led increasingly by young people who want their giving to do more than donate: they want it to deepen community, amplify marginalised voices and fund systems change.
Opportunity behind giving circles at WELA
Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) is showing how this new model works in practice. Their Giving Circle is a simple idea with powerful ripple effects: members vote together on grants, learn about emerging organisations and make climate and gender justice funding decisions democratically. The result is a new generation of philanthropists who are connected, courageous and strategic.
WELA’s Giving Circle gives each member an equal vote, spreading funds more widely and reducing gatekeeping, an approach that’s vital for diverse, systemic climate solutions. Membership is hands-on with people assessing proposals and hearing from grantees, which builds philanthropy literacy and turns donors into informed partners rather than distant funders. The model also lets younger donors align their giving with values like gender equity, Indigenous rights and environmental outcomes, so contributions feel personally meaningful. Plus giving together creates moral support; members report feeling bolder about backing ambitious, high‑impact projects because they know they’re not alone.
A family-led example
Sisters Annabel (24) and Emily (23) Ferguson illustrate how the Giving Circle connects the next generation to philanthropy in a meaningful way. Raised in a family that sets annual giving goals through the Be BlueRock Foundation , they could have remained passive beneficiaries of a family fund. Instead they chose to lead.
“We were raised to believe women can do anything men can do, but haven’t been given the same opportunities.” Annabel says. “Why aren’t we in leadership? Why aren’t we environmental innovators? It’s powerful that [Giving Circle Members] vote together. You learn about new organisations and spread resources across a wider scale—essential for climate action. Being part of this group has made us more courageous, knowing there’s a community that supports [our] values”
Emily adds that joining as sisters made the experience richer. They’re aligned on priorities and act as a sounding board for one another, while still involving the wider family in decisions. That family-to-community pipeline is exactly the sort of pathway that helps sustain philanthropic engagement across generations.
Why this matters for climate and gender equity Philanthropy traditionally channels money to familiar institutions. To tackle climate breakdown and gender inequity, funding needs to be nimble, inclusive and distributed. Groups like WELA’s Giving Circle do three things that matter:
- Widen the aperture of what gets funded by surfacing grassroots and innovative solutions.
- Centre marginalised leadership by inviting diverse voices into grant decisions.
- Create durable networks of donors who continue learning, advocating and supporting long-term systems change.
How other organisations can replicate the model Organisations and family foundations that want to connect young people to giving can start small:
- Create a democratic giving vehicle: Even a modest pool of funds becomes transformative when members have a vote.
- Pair funding with learning: Host regular sessions with grantees, site visits or short masterclasses on grant assessment.
- Encourage family participation: Invite younger family members to observe, then participate. Shared values often translate into sustained engagement.
- Build social incentives: Emphasise community, shared values and collective achievement to make giving social and rewarding.
Connecting the next generation of philanthropists isn’t just about transferring money or titles. It’s about designing experiences that teach, empower and embed young people in funding ecosystems that are democratic, values-aligned and oriented toward systems change. WELA’s Giving Circle shows how that can look in practice: democratic voting, shared learning, and a community that makes courageous choices together. For Annabel and Emily Ferguson and many like them, philanthropy is no longer a solo act, it’s a shared journey towards a fairer, greener future.
