Divorce, Disruption, and the Rise of Female Philanthropists

Australia’s philanthropic landscape is undergoing a quiet revolution—fuelled by shifting social dynamics, tech wealth, and an overdue spotlight on female giving.

One unexpected catalyst? Divorce.

High-profile separations, such as those of Nicola and Andrew Forrest and Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes, are prompting an evolution in how wealth is distributed—and donated. Nicola Forrest now channels her giving through both the established Minderoo Foundation and her independent Coaxial Foundation. Meanwhile, Mike and Annie continue their work across Boundless Earth and the Cannon-Brookes Foundation.

While some might view this fragmentation as a loss, others see new potential. As JBWere’s John McLeod puts it, “Philanthropy is different to other funding. It is the risk capital of the sector and allows charities to search for new solutions.” He notes the trend towards fewer donors giving larger amounts, a dynamic reflected in the 2025 Philanthropy 50 list, which reported a record $1.4 billion in contributions.

Original story featured in the Financial Review magazine.

Alongside these structural shifts is a rising tide of women-led giving. Melissa Smith, founder of She Gives, is on a mission to make female generosity more visible. With intergenerational wealth increasingly passing to women—and longer lifespans and stronger earning power—she believes the time is now to reshape the giving narrative.

“Women give more substantially, they drive philanthropic decisions in their family and they are coming into even more financial power,” says Smith. “But women play a quieter role. So to grow women’s giving, we need data and we need role models.”

Smith’s advocacy is already bearing fruit. High-profile donors like Jane Hemstritch, who gave $8 million to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, are helping to shift perceptions of what a philanthropist looks like. And Smith isn’t stopping there—an extensive report on female philanthropy, developed in partnership with the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia, is due in early 2026.

The current philanthropic heavyweights include Yajilarra Trust, Minderoo Foundation, and the Paul Ramsay Foundation—each contributing over $180 million annually. But a new guard is rising. Canva co-founder Cameron Adams and wife Lisa Miller have donated nearly $10 million through their 4am and Wedgetail foundations. Their generosity reflects a broader trend: “More young people, often from the tech sector, [are] giving away more, earlier in life,” says McLeod.

Transparency is also becoming a hallmark of modern philanthropy. Donors like Dave and Kerry Rickards (DAK Foundation) and Tony and Maureen Wheeler are increasingly public about their giving, helping to inspire others and elevate the causes they support.

Whether driven by personal change, generational shifts, or a broader cultural awakening, one thing is clear: philanthropy in Australia is evolving. And with more diverse players, louder stories, and bolder ambitions, the sector is poised for a transformative decade.

As Melissa Smith reminds us, “It doesn’t have to be billions to make an impact.”