About Us
Not-For-Profit Network helps the people working in non profit organisations in Australia and New Zealand to be more successful and their organisations to be more sustainable. We do this by providing specialist educational events, opportunities for peer-networking, advice, recognition, publications, resources and more. We’re working to achieve our vision of a strong, vibrant and sustainable Australasian nonprofit sector. Our members include professional associations, industry bodies, unions, charities, disability service providers, aged care facilities, community groups, museums, art galleries, schools, philanthropic organisations, religious groups, sporting groups and any other kind of not-for-profit organisation.
Are you from a not-for-profit organisation?
Joining NFPN will allow you to access the network that provides you with the tools you need, learning experiences and resources that will help you be successful. We connect you with inspiration and new ideas, introduce you to other amazing people in the non profit community as well as provide you a whole lot of resources and services that you won’t find anywhere else. Click here for more info!
Are you from a corporate organisation who works with the nonprofit sector?
NFPN can provide you with tailored opportunities to engage with the sector. Email our Corporate Marketing Manager jamie@nfpn.com.au for more info.
Are you from the media?
Get in touch with the experts you need to get the best story. Click here to see how you can connect with nonprofit organisations or to get in touch with NFPN.
Our History
Four years ago a couple of passionate people met serendipitously and realised they’d had a very similar experience of the not-for-profit sector - “Same problems, heaps of different solutions and hadn’t you wished you’d heard about them earlier?” Realising that they were a reflection of what was happening to others in the sector, they recognised the need for a hub, a forum, a NETWORK where people could come together and create a faster, more simple way of finding solutions. And so the concept for the Not-For-Profit Network was born based on a vision of creating a strong, vibrant and sustainable Australasian nonprofit sector.
About The Sector
Size of the Sector
According to authorities on the sector, there are around 700,000 not-for-profit organisations in Australia and 40,000 in New Zealand.
Of the 700,000 not-for-profit organisations in Australia, around 380,000 of these are incorporated in some way – meaning they have their own legal identity. Around 35,000 of these not-for-profit organisations employ staff. In total they have a combined income of $33.5 billion dollars and employ over 604,000 people.
There is no definitive list of all nonprofit organisations in Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, when quoting numbers about the size of the sector, it is necessary to rely on figures extrapolated from research that has been taken into the sector.
Diversity of the Sector
The nonprofit sector is huge. So big that it is said that it’s economic contribution is larger than the communications industry and around the same as the agriculture industry. But unlike those sectors is it also exceptionally diverse.
To illustrate, consider the not-for-profit sector as a spectrum.
At one end of the spectrum you have member-benefit organisations. That is, organisations where a member pays money to an organisation in the expectation of a direct or indirect benefit back to themselves. For example, a union or sporting club.
At the other end you have public benefit organisations. That is, organisations where someone pays money in the expectation of those funds going towards a greater public good. For example, a charitable foundation.
In between these two extremes you have hybrids of varying types. This includes business and professional associations, advocacy organisations, ethnic associations, political parties, crime prevention and victim support services, exchange and friendship programs, international disaster relief organisations, social clubs, hobby clubs, museums, performing arts organisation, zoos, sporting clubs, schools, universities, TAFE’s, religions groups, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, crisis intervention, natural resource conservation, animal protection and welfare, housing assistance and job training programs, community and neighbourhood organisations, child welfare services, day care, emergency prevention and control, grant making foundations, charities and volunteerism promotion and support.
Peak Organisations
Nonprofits with common interests come together via “peak” organisations. Examples of peak organisations include: Australian Council of Social Service, Fundraising Institute – Australia and the National Council of Churches.
It is estimated that there are over 400 peak organisations in Australia alone. The peaks vary widely in terms of their own penetration into the market segments and the strength of their communication vehicles. Some parts of the sector are well represented while other parts have little representation.
Peak organisations can be divided into two broad categories – advocacy and capacity building. Advocacy orientated organisations (industry bodies) are predominately concerned with lobbying to have their viewpoints heard by government and other stakeholders. Capacity building peaks (professional bodies) are concerned with building the skills and resources of their members. Some peaks serve both functions.
More Information
For more information on the nonprofit sector in Australia and New Zealand please check out the following (if you have any links to add please email nfpn@nfpn.com.au – all contributions welcome)
Websites
- Australia and New Zealand Third Sector Research Incorporated – a network of people who undertake research into the nonprofit sector.
- Centre for Australian Community Organisations and Management - enhances the Australian community sector and its management through research, training, publications, seminars and conferences.
- Philanthropy Australia – Philanthropy Australia has a range of fact sheets on the nonprofit sector available.
- Philanthropy and the Third Sector in Asia and the Pacific – Great range of information on different countries including Australia.
Articles & Reports
- Year Book Australia - 1999 Special Article - Australia's nonprofit sector
- The Nonprofit Sector in a Changing Economy – Great book on the nonprofit sector
- Report of the Inquiry into the Definition of Charities and Related Organisations (June 2001)
Books
- Third Sector - by Mark Lyons
- Dimensions of Australia's Third Sector - by Mark Lyons & Susan Hocking
Peak Organisations & Supporting Bodies
Australasia
Aged and Community Services of Australia
Asia Pacific Philanthropy Information Network (APPIN)
Association of Development & Alumni Professionals in Australia
Associations New Zealand Inc
Australia and New Zealand Third Sector Research (ANZTSR)
Australian Conservation Foundation
Australian Consumers Association
Australian Council for International Development
Australian Council of Social Service
Australian Direct Marketing Association
Australian Marketing Institute
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Australian Institute of Human Resources
Australian Institute of Management
Australian Institute of Social and Ethical Accountability
Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers
Australian Joint Council of Professional Teaching Associations
Australian Sponsorship Marketing Association
Centre for Australian Community Organisations & Management
Centre for Citizenship and Human Rights
Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, Queensland University of Technology
Chartered Secretaries Australia
China Non-Profit Organisation Network
Confederation of Australian Sport
Co-operative Federation of Victoria Ltd
Corporate Citizenship Research Unit, Deakin University
Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
Fundraising Institute - Australia
Fundraising Institute of New Zealand
Independent Schools Council of Australia
Jobs Australia
Meetings and Events Australia
National Association for the Visual Arts
National Council of Churches in Australia
National Disability Services
National Institute for Governance
New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations
Nonprofit Australia
Not-For-Profit Roundtable
NSW Community Builders
Philanthropy Australia
Philanthropy New Zealand
Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnerships
Professional Standards Council
Professions Australia
Trust for Young Australians
Volunteering Australia
Volunteering QLD
Western Sydney Community Forum
Outside of Australasia
American Marketing Association (US)
American Society of Association Executives (US)
Association for Conferences and Events (UK)
Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (UK)
Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (UK)
Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (UK)
Association of Fundraising Professionals (US)
Association of Strategic Alliances Professionals (US)
Canadian Society of Association Executives (CAN)
Centre of Association Leadership (US)
CIVICUS The World Alliance for Civic Participation
Council on Foundations (US)
Direct Marketing Association (US)
European Network of Thrid Sector Leaders (EUR)
European Society of Association Executives (EUR)
Global Knowledge Partnership (US)
Governance Matters (US)
Independent Sector (US)
Institute of Association Management (UK)
Institute of Fundraising (UK)
International Association of Association Management Companies (US)
International Association of Professional Conference Organisers (UK)
International Center for Not-For-Profit Law
International Special Events Society (US)
Marketing Research Association (US)
Meetings Industry Association (UK)
Meetings Professionals International (US)
Society for Nonprofit Organisations
Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (UK)
The Giving Campaign (UK)
The International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR)
Trade Association Forum (UK)
Union of International Associations
Wireless Giving Association