Hi ,

With so much shifting around us — funding cuts, policy shifts, AI disruption and social polarisation, not to mention a collapsing rules-based World Order — it’s clear that uncertainty is not a passing phase, but a defining feature of this moment. While uncertainty wreaks havoc in global markets, in the for-purpose sector, by contrast, uncertainty is the ever-present and unwelcome companion, and arguably the catalyst that makes clarity of mission so important to making it through.

In this edition of The GoodWolf, Balveen explores how the for-purpose sector can manage the execution risk around strategy in these uncertain times, and reframe risk from the algorithms that drive reactive risk management towards people-centric, disciplined, intentional innovation that protects purpose and enables progress. It’s a timely piece that I encourage you to read with your own governance and leadership lens in mind. Sign up to join an online discussion for a deeper dive into the issues with sector peers. 

As we reflect on reaching 200 projects late last year, we do so with a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. That milestone represents a significant investment of time and trust from our clients: foundations, not-for-profits, social enterprises and intermediaries, working alongside you at pivotal moments of change and opportunity. I’m grateful to be doing this work together with such a talented and committed team.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that uncertain times bring out the best of the for-purpose sector, unleashing both courage and discipline. We’re committed to leaning in: bringing sharp thinking, steady partnership and deep sector insight to help organisations navigate complexity with clarity and conviction.

Read on. And reach out. 

Simon

When The Strategy Launch Party Is Over:

Managing The Risk And Governance Hangover

There is absolutely every reason to celebrate and empower the future potential and aspirations of committed people in impactful organisations working on strategy. This is where we spend much of our time as executives and Boards; in imagining and pushing for better outcomes for the communities we serve. It is courageous work and it ensures we can constantly challenge ourselves to build stronger and better systems and organisations. 

However, most of us also know that it is simply the start of the long and difficult process of implementing and driving strategic change across sectors, communities and within our teams. There often seems to be an almost insurmountable leap from the freshly printed strategic plan to the reality of the first leadership meeting. Many of us have felt that sinking feeling of not quite knowing how to get from the start to the finish. 

This leap is often further extended by structural, organisational and financial design as well as by siloed, specialist skillsets which struggle to connect across the divide. We have committees, teams and spreadsheets which focus on different aspects of organisational success - strategy, risk, governance, compliance and performance - all engaged in parallel play but not quite playing together. 

Ultimately, all of these organisational tools should be oriented towards answering one single question: 

What do we need to do for our strategy to succeed?

If you’d like to reach out to discuss this paper in more detail, or explore your own questions about risk, please contact Balveen directly on balveen@goodwolf.com.au.

Thinking About What’s Possible For Your Organisation? 

Delve through our first 200 project summary for inspiration!

We reached our 200th project in late 2025 as the year came to a close. This milestone invites both reflection and celebration for us. An opportunity to look back on what we’ve built, the scale and scope of the projects we have delivered, the impact of our advice, and to read into the patterns and themes to inform the future direction of our practice.  

Client Shoutouts

“GoodWolf led a comprehensive and inclusive process, working with sensitivity and skill across our diverse stakeholders. They brought extensive knowledge of the sector, deep insights and considerable thought and care to the process, ultimately delivering an impactful new strategy and purpose that will set us up strongly for the future.” CEO, Maree Sidey

Australians Investing in Women

At a pivotal moment for gender equity, with strong federal policy momentum but growing global headwinds - Australians Investing in Women (AIIW) has launched its 2026–2030 Strategy. We were proud to work with AIIW’s fantastic team and board to shape this next chapter. The strategy was developed through sector consultation and draws on the expertise of AIIW’s growing team. 

The new strategy sharpens AIIW’s focus from awareness to action - scaling change, engaging male allies, and shifting philanthropic, corporate and investment capital to increase funding for women and girls and help build a more prosperous future for all.

“GoodWolf brought skillful, thoughtful provocation to our strategy work, grounded in robust analysis and deep sector insight. Their collaborative approach fostered genuine ownership across our board, team and partners, and achieved clarity, strengthening both our strategy and collective ambition.” CEO, Julie Reilly

LEAF (Learning & Evaluation for Australian Funders)

LEAF is entering its next chapter with a five-year strategy to strengthen measurement, evaluation and learning (MEL) practice across Australian funders. Following a model review and strategic refresh, the network is now positioned to deepen peer learning, build funder capability and help shape a more fair and impactful funding system, and we’re excited to see the LEAF team bring this vision to life in the years ahead.

“We highly valued GoodWolf’s collaborative, enabling approach. They combined rigorous thinking with genuine partnership, practical insight and respectful challenge, drawing on strengths and experience outside what we envisioned from a partner. All the while ensuring LEAF retained ownership of both the process and its outcomes.” Caroline Henwood, LEAF Steering Committee

Feeding Our GoodWolf

Where We've Been

Loretta joined Westpac Foundation’s Future Leaders and Social Change Fellows Welcome Reception in Sydney. The event highlighted both the infinite possibility of social change leaders to tackle society’s most pressing challenges, and the clear-eyed realities of leading in a resource-scarce environment. We left with standout reflections on leadership and systems change: change is grounded in lived experience, sharpened by evidence, and delivered through plain speaking and moral courage.

Balveen joined Dentons and Westpac at a Boardroom lunch to explore governance and regulatory changes for Directors regarding their AI obligations. We left with a very tangible way of considering the responsibilities of Directors in understanding how their Board papers (up and downstream) were produced. If you hold a Director role or report to a Board, ask yourself if you are clear how your Board papers were compiled and produced? If not, have a look at the new AICD guidance on this topic.

Simon joined a celebration with the Community Foundations Australia (CFAus) Board, members and stakeholders in the community foundations sector to celebrate the recent DGR reforms, and to thank Ben Rodgers for his steady hand as Chair over many years, and for overseeing what has been a transformative time for the sector. Two CFAus team members, Rosie and Dylan, orchestrated a literal walk-through the CFAus journey since its establishment, bringing in the voices and stories of those in the room who had journeyed with the organisation and the community philanthropy sector's growth in that time. 

Where We're Giving

Nina has joined as Board Chair of the Food Connection Foundation (FCF), a Brisbane-based organisation championing regenerative, regional food systems across Australia. FCF partners directly with communities to build shared infrastructure, grow local leaders, and open up new pathways that connect farmers and food entrepreneurs for a more sustainable and equitable food system in Australia.

Nina is also serving on the Investment Committee for the Backing the Bold fund - a new initiative from SEFA and Hand Heart Pocket supporting impact-led organisations to move on new and developing enterprise initiatives in Queensland. The fund offers capability-building support alongside access to appropriate capital for organisations that can't access other sources. The initiative seeks to take a new approach in the impact investing landscape in Australia.

Balveen has joined the Management Board of Queensland Kids Partnership. QKP unites sectors to leverage evidence for system change.  

Jess has joined the Melbourne Women’s Foundation as a member of the Development & Engagement Committee. Founded in 2014, the Foundation is a giving circle that harnesses the power of community to support Melbourne women and families in need, and Jess looks forward to contributing to member engagement and the continued growth of this impactful network through her role on the Committee.

What We're Reading

It’s report season! –  here’s a couple on the top of our reading pile: 
 

Sustainable Grantmaking Benchmark (Schott Foundation) is a practical nudge to philanthropy: if we want nonprofits to create long-term change, we need to fund them in ways that are long-term too. By tracking things like multi-year commitments, unrestricted funding, and other trust-based practices, and rating progress

over time, the benchmark makes it easier for funders to see where they’re walking the talk (and where they’re not). It’s both a mirror and a motivator, challenging the sector to move beyond one-off grants and toward funding that truly sustains organisations and movements.

Unlocking Generosity (Minderoo Foundation) shows that Australia isn’t short on goodwill - it’s short on the systems and support to channel it. With better engagement from financial advisers, accountants, lawyers and fundraisers, we could unlock an extra $7–12 billion in donations by 2030, boosting giving by almost 50% and making the Federal Government’s ambition to double philanthropic support achievable and sustainable. Many Australians want to give more but lack the guidance and trusted pathways to do so. The opportunity is clear: the question now is whether we will step up to build the advice, tools and confidence needed to turn intent into impact.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of The GoodWolf.  

Please reach out or share a comment with us at hello@goodwolf.com.au or contact one of the team directly. 

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East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia