Addressing the issue and gaps of cultural diversity in the Australian philanthropic sector needs to go beyond providing a business case or incorporating diversity on boards. Practices need to be inclusive, non-tokenistic and created in genuine collaboration with culturally diverse leaders and community.

The Macquarie Group Foundation, Perpetual and Philanthropy Australia are partnering with the Jumbunna Institute and Centre for Social Impact UNSW, to explore how cultural diversity is reflected on philanthropic boards and to also understand how culturally diverse beneficiaries are being supported or left behind in how funding decisions are made.

Globally, there is an increasing trend among organisations to incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, both in terms of their employee base and in their strategic visions for the future. This report aims to summarise how cultural diversity is being addressed in the philanthropic sector. To date, most work that demonstrates the benefits and challenges of increasing cultural diversity in organisations has been discussed with reference to the North American context. A similar transformation is needed in Australia whereby boards and executive teams expand power and resourcing through diversified cultural representation and engagement.