Overview
The Education Funders Peer Network invites you to its final meeting for 2025. Join us for a deep dive into a case study of collaborative philanthropy in education. Sally Reid from Reid Malley Foundation will share the Homework Club Partnership Fund. Homework Clubs engage multicultural youth by pairing them with trained mentors and volunteers, who deliver tailored tutoring and cultural support that builds confidence and community connections. Sally's presentation will highlight the history of philanthropy and Homework Clubs in Victoria, including:
- Innovative funding models that pool resources across foundations
- Strategies for multi-party partnerships and shared governance
- Approaches to policy engagement driven by philanthropic networks
- Lessons in supporting marginalised students through targeted programs.
This session will offer practical insights for funders seeking community-driven, collaborative approaches to enhance students’ educational outcomes.
When
Wednesday 12 November 2025
Online attendance:
12:30pm - 2:00pm AEDT (ACT, NSW, TAS, VIC)
12:00pm - 1:30pm ACDT (SA)
11:30am - 1:00pm AEST (QLD)
11:00am - 12:30pm ACST (NT)
9:30am - 11:00am AWST (WA)
In-person attendance in Melbourne:
12:30pm - 2:30pm AEDT (VIC)
We invite Melbourne peer network members to stay after the discussions for post-session networking, socials and light refreshments.
There are limited spots for the in-person component of the event.
Hybrid event
Online attendance: Zoom link to be shared closer to the time.
In-person attendance: Melbourne - Philanthropy Australia Head Office, 90 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Audience
This event is for Philanthropy Australia Education Funders Peer Network members only.
We welcome Philanthropy Australia Engage (individual/ organisation) and Impact members who are in funding in education or interested in funding in education. Please register or reach out to programs@philanthropy.org.au to join the peer network.
If you are a Connect level member and would like to upgrade to be able to attend funder peer networks, please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.
If you are not yet a member of Philanthropy Australia or want to find out more about the philanthropic work in this area, please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.
Speaker
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Sally Reid - Chief Executive Officer, Reid Malley Foundation
Sally has extensive experience in Government, Independent Statutory Authority and not for profit contexts in program management and policy reform. She has led multiple partnership programs, working with stakeholders to identify social inequities and implement reforms, including through the implementation and Statewide scaling of multiple youth programs. With a background in Criminology and crime prevention, Sally's particular passion is for reducing the over-representation of refugee, migrant and First Nations young people in the justice system as well as engaging disengaged young people into educational pathways. Sally's cross sectoral experience of funding gives her a unique perspective on 'giving'. She is passionate about co-designing and implementing new models of working and funding that enhance the current service system and improve alignment and coordination between service system needs and funding provision.
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Peer Network Co-chairs
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Megan Enders – Founder and Principal, Montage (WA)
Megan's interest in education has developed over many years through roles with education philanthropy Fogarty Foundation, starting as Founding Director of its innovative whole school improvement program - Fogarty EDvance - and as CEO and longstanding member of its Board of Trustees. She is currently head of a boutique philanthropic advisory practice that works with individuals, families and foundations to help them achieve positive impact through their giving. Megan is also the convenor of a West Australian group of philanthropies as part of the Investment Dialogue for Australia's Children, a collaboration between philanthropy and government. |
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Megan has expertise in the areas of collaboration, organisational leadership and change management, gained through executive roles in both the 'for purpose' and ‘for profit’ sectors. Megan has also held executive roles, and worked in the Prime Minister’s Department and for a Federal Minister.
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John Bush (NSW)
John is a collaborative, outcomes-focused senior leader in philanthropy, social impact and education, with an abiding commitment to addressing disadvantage and helping young people to thrive. Over nearly thirty years, he has developed expertise in philanthropic strategy, grant-making and evaluation, policy influence, leading education social enterprises, designing and delivering transformative social impact convenings, and recruiting and developing exceptional talent for social impact.
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John led the development of the education, school-age learning and young people strategies for the Paul Ramsay Foundation, which together delivered more than $170,000,000 in grant and evaluation partnerships. These partnerships have measurably improved outcomes for hundreds of thousands of Australian young people.
All of John’s work in philanthropy has been informed by his leadership experience in schools and start-up nonprofits and his classroom teaching experience in the United States and Australia.
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Peer Network Lead
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Bella Conyngham - Director, Engagement (NSW/ACT), Philanthropy Australia
Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, Bella Conyngham joined Philanthropy Australia at the beginning of 2023, bringing with her experience in engagement and partnership building within the social impact and sustainability sectors. |
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As the Director of Engagement for NSW and ACT, Bella leads strategic engagement efforts with members, fostering collaboration across the region. She is deeply passionate about the philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors and serves as a Board Observer for the Australian Endometriosis Foundation (formerly known as Endo Articles).
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Bella is also an active member of NEXUS, a global community of emerging philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and allies from over 70 countries, dedicated to enhancing philanthropy and social change.
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