Not for profit update 6

August 5, 2016

Seventeen more families and individuals have joined the global Giving Pledge and committed the majority of their wealth to philanthropy, including the three co-founders of Airbnb.
The global group now includes 154 philanthropic individuals and families from 16 countries.
The Giving Pledge is a multi-generational initiative created by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates in 2010 that encourages billionaires to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
New to the list are US-based Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk and Brian Chesky, the co-founders of Airbnb, the short-stay accommodation marketplace that now operates in more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries.
“When I started Airbnb in my living room eight years ago, I never would’ve imagined that the company would succeed to such an extent that it would eventually give me the ability to write this letter,” Gebbia said in his Giving Pledge letter.
The new signatories were named at the group’s annual two-day conference in the US which provided them with the opportunity to hear from outside experts about how to give effectively across a range of issues.

Not for Profit Transgender Victoria has said discussions about teaching transgender awareness in primary school “have to happen”.
It comes after ABC’s online survey Vote Compass revealed Australians are divided on the issue.
The Vote Compass – which has so far attracted around 250,000 responses – asks respondents a series of questions to explore how their views align with parties contesting the federal election.
When asked whether transgender awareness should be taught in primary schools, more Australians were opposed than supported it.
The survey results, released on Wednesday, showed 46 per cent disagreed compared with 37 per cent who agreed, while 17 per cent remained undecided.
The issue has been surrounded in controversy since the Turnbull government announced changes to its Safe Schools anti-bullying program in February.
Transgender Victoria executive director, Sally Goldner, said teaching transgender awareness in primary school was important for everyone and it was time to tackle the elephant in the room.

Almost 200,000 Australians are on the waiting list to access social housing and the number of available homes has barely increased from the previous year, according to a new report.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released its Housing Assistance in Australia 2016 report on Thursday, showing little change from last year.
As of 30 June 2015 there were 427,800 social houses across Australia, only up 200 on the previous year – less than 1 per cent. The waiting list for this year, 200,000, was a 3 per cent decrease on last year’s list of 206,000.
The AIHW, national agency set up by the Australian Government, said there was a shift in the priority focus for social housing away from low-income families and towards a diverse range of vulnerable groups
“Almost 75 per cent of new public rental housing and community housing were provided to people with the greatest need, with 59 per cent of households indicating they were homeless prior to commencing their public rental housing tenancy,” AIHW spokesperson Tim Beard said.
The report found there were around 817,300 tenants in social housing, more than three in five main tenants were women, 44 per cent reported they had a disability and 53 per cent were single adults who lived alone.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders have called on the government that takes office after the federal election to convene a national summit on Indigenous issues, establish a Truth and Justice Commission and deliver an Indigenous treaty.
Indigenous leaders from across the country gathered in Canberra on Tuesday to discuss some of the key issues of concern that are impacting on their people in this current climate.
The gathering delivered a united call for government to put reducing injustice, poverty and inequality for First Peoples at the heart of its purpose and to establish a real and meaningful relationship with First Peoples.
Co-chair of the meeting, Geoff Clark said “the combative relationship, the meanness of spirit and the paternal practices and policies which underpin the current relationship” must end if Australia is to make progress.
“We are calling for a new era and new beginning where respect truth and goodwill are the traits which define the relationships across the country,” Clark said.

Health advocacy Not for Profit Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria has rebranded in a decision the organisation said reflected its national approach and research work as well as increasing collaboration with new sector partners.
The 46-year-old organisation has changed its name to MOVE to address health issues and research around more than 150 muscle, bone and joint conditions.
MOVE CEO Linda Martin said the new organisation was not limited to geographical boundaries.
“We are already a national charity. For many years, the scope and purpose of our organisation has been broader than our original name suggested,” Martin told Pro Bono Australia News.
“The decision comes after careful consideration about a brand change to better capture who we are, what we do, who we do it for.
“The new name, MOVE– muscle, bone & joint health, is more inclusive to people of all ages; children, young adults, working age and older Australians with one or more of the 150 conditions.
“MOVE has many connotations for us. It’s about the importance of physical activity wanting people to move and stay healthy no matter what their condition is, but it’s also saying we think it’s time for the health sector to make a move to make sure that people get the right treatment in the right place and the right time and understand their conditions.”