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Unlocking Opportunities for Growth and Change with Third Sector in 2024

Menchie Khairuddin February 1, 2024

4 min read

In the dynamic landscape of Australia’s NFP sector, the pursuit of positive impact is relentless. As organisations navigate through challenges, the significance of continuous learning becomes paramount.

Third Sector is at the forefront of providing high-level content and services for professional development and organisational growth to leaders and senior executives from Australia’s NFP sector and its supporting industries.

This article delves into eight ways Third Sector can serve as an invaluable source of education, drawing insights from Australian sources across topics such as business, social affairs, leadership, grants, mental health, housing and homelessness, environment, health, indigenous empowerment, funding, finance and partnerships.

Business Insights and Strategies

Success is not just a destination, but a journey fueled by keen insights, effective strategies and a team of people who share the organisation’s mission and vision. Business insights from industry experts are derived from a careful analysis of data, market trends and consumer behaviour.

According to the author of Meaningful Work Nina Mapson Bone, engaged employees who find meaning in their work demonstrate higher commitment, lower turnover rates and increased organisational performance, even during challenging times.

“It is crucial to periodically assess and adapt to evolving priorities and values.”

Social Affairs and Community Development

Social affairs encompass a broad spectrum of issues that touch the lives of individuals within a community. Enhance awareness of societal challenges and the initiatives contributing to positive change from the analyses of social policies and stories of resilience available on Third Sector.

According to SSI’s Multicultural Support Workforce Maria Gonzalez, the key to delivering culturally responsive and effective outcomes comes from being aware to ask the question, ‘Am I the right person to determine this? How can I guarantee this would be culturally safe?’

Leadership and Professional Development

Leadership is the cornerstone of any successful business. The strategies employed by leaders have a profound and direct impact on the overall health, culture, and success of an organisation.

From setting a compelling vision to fostering a positive culture, effective leaders influence every facet of an organisation.

According to AICD’s Managing Director and CEO Mark Rigotti, leadership is not a static position. While a certain strategy may work well for an organisation of 5 employees, it’s not always the same story with an organisation of more than 100 employees.

“Staying focused on ensuring relevance and impact is key, even if that means taking yourself out of your comfort zone to ask the difficult challenges this sector tries to address,” said Peter Walton, CARE Australia CEO.

Keeping up with current strategies and figuring out what will work best for an organisation involves a lot of trial and error processes, which can hinder growth and may even cause long-lasting effects. Learn firsthand from industry leaders experts and peers strategies to leverage technology, tackle recruitment challenges and diversify revenue streams with Third Sector LIVE.

In a resource-scarce environment, nonprofits need effective strategies for financial sustainability, strategic planning and branding.

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Third Sector offers comprehensive coverage of grants, funding opportunities and philanthropic trends with available resources from organisations like Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), The Snow Foundation, Social Futures etc. to support their initiatives and learn about successful grants applications, fostering a culture of sustainable social impact.

Innovative Strategies for Mental Health

Mental health awareness goes beyond recognising mental health issues; it involves fostering a culture prioritising mental well-being as an integral part of overall health. This collective dialogue not only reduces the isolation often felt by those dealing with mental health issues but also educates the broader community, creating a more compassionate and empathetic society.

According to Mission Australia’s new Youth Survey Report 2023, Aussie youth want better access to mental healthcare services, accurate diagnosis and treatment, support from their family and friends and professional help.

“No initiative is too small in the battle against mental health stigma,” said Noella Ennis, Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation Head of Clinical Services.

Third Sector’s 7th National Social and Emotional Wellbeing Forum stands as a beacon of hope bringing together professionals and advocates to foster a transformative experience by exploring innovative strategies and collaborative discussions. To create a comprehensive understanding of social and emotional wellbeing, this event addresses the urgent need for collective action in tackling the mental health crisis.

The housing and homelessness crisis

Australia, known for its vast landscapes and thriving cities, grapples with a persistent and pressing issue – the housing and homelessness crisis. The housing and homelessness crisis in Australia is marked by a profound imbalance between housing supply and demand, resulting in soaring property prices and an alarming increase in homelessness.

The Productivity Commission’s latest Report on Government Services confirms that of the low-income households renting private homes, two in five (42.9%) were in rental stress and at risk of being pushed into homelessness in 2022-23, despite receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA).

“This report confirms that cost-of-living and inflation pressures and rising rental stress are pushing more people into homelessness at a time when there’s very limited availability of affordable homes to rent,” said Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister.

With homelessness statistics on the rise, the 6th Annual National Housing and Homelessness Forum addresses the critical challenges faced by the nation. Meticulously crafted, this forum focuses on equipping delegates with tools and insights to tackle the multifaceted crisis. Through collaborative dialogue, it aims to catalyse change and reshape Australia’s housing landscape.

Youth and Child Protection

Youth and children represent the future of any society, but they are also among the most vulnerable populations. Ensuring child protection involves collaborative efforts from various sectors of society.

As child protection services face challenges, the 7th National Child Protection Forum brings industry experts together for inclusive and impactful discussions. Focusing on collaboration and prevention strategies, this forum seeks to ensure the safety, well-being and positive development of all children and young people. It’s a platform for generating meaningful discussions, fostering partnerships and inspiring action to address child protection challenges.

Indigenous Empowerment and Inclusivity

Australia’s Indigenous communities comprise diverse cultures, languages and traditions, each with a unique connection to the land. Acknowledging this diversity is fundamental to promoting inclusivity.

Empowering communities through inclusivity takes centre stage at the 4th National Indigenous Empowerment Summit, providing a platform for Indigenous communities to tackle challenges and opportunities in education, economic development and the workforce. With distinct streams focusing on each area, the summit promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing, empowering participants to take action in their communities.

Similarly, the 2nd National Indigenous Justice Forum emerges as a critical platform for change, meeting the alarming disparity that the systemic inequity that has been brought to light demands.

Young Leader of the Year 2022 Award Winner Jda Mundine said in an exclusive interview with Third Sector that while advancements have been made, there is still a “grey area.”

“They’re aware that they’re more likely to go to jail than anybody else.”

In a world grappling with multifaceted challenges, Third Sector provides an array of diverse topics from the intricacies of finance, investment, grants and funding to strengthen the financial acumen of an organisation to exploring leadership, fundraising and mergers for organisational growth.

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.