Making a difference doesn’t take millions: Linh Do

Linh Do is not the type of person who splashes in the shallows. Her climate activism began in a very public way at age 16 when she initiated the Change a Million Light Bulbs campaign. Since then, her personal and professional focus has not wavered from three colossal pillars: social movements, climate justice and systems change. 

One of her guiding philosophies is to learn while doing. 

“Taking action is the best antidote to any form of paralysis. That’s why my answer to anyone who’s unsure about what they can do about the climate crisis or how to start giving is always, ‘Just start’. 

“I’m not someone who has gazillions of dollars, and I also don’t think that money will solve absolutely everything. But there is something about knowing that I’m able to make a difference. 

“My parents came to Australia as refugees and growing up, they taught me that there was always something we could be doing to help other people.” 

Linh’s structured giving journey with Australian Communities Foundation began with a Gumnut Account, which she has grown over time to become a Named Fund. 

“For me, working with Australian Communities Foundation has been super useful,” Linh says. 

“At the bigger picture level, it has helped me think more strategically about my giving decisions rather than being a bit ad hoc. At the smaller picture you can’t overlook the administrative benefits of having a structure to participate in that guides you along.” 

How we make an impact with our giving: the Milgroms

Bec Milgrom and her siblings Adam and Jake run Tripple, a 100 per cent private investment company using capital as a force for good. They do this through a combined effort of investments and grantmaking. 

When it comes to grantmaking, the Milgroms focus most of their efforts on systems change and seek impactful and innovative approaches to philanthropy. For them, ACF’s Impact Fund is a great ally in finding high-impact funding opportunities that they are unlikely to find without it. 

“ACF staff’s expertise and sector knowledge gives us a high level of trust in their funding recommendations,” says Bec. “That’s especially true when it comes to making our grants work meaningfully in high-impact areas like advocacy and movement building.” 

Bec credits the Fund with amplifying the impact of her family’s giving. 

“Working together with other funders through the Impact Fund builds energy around important issues that are often harder to find and fund, and provides additional confidence by being a part of a collective. 

“Importantly, the Fund simultaneously takes some fundraising pressure off organisational leaders, leaving them to focus their energy on getting the work done while introducing them to donors who they might not have otherwise had access to.”

Collaborating for change: John Stone and Linda Parlane

Melbourne-based couple Linda Parlane and John Stone understand what it takes to make change. “It’s all about collaboration,” says Linda. “It’s about the community coming together to organise,” echoes John.

Having spent the first 20 years of their working lives in environmental organisations and leading campaigns for green transport, solar energy, forest conservation and action on climate change, Linda and John are speaking from experience.

For the last decade, the couple has found themselves “fortunate enough” to be able to give, adding a new dimension to their support for our environment. Today, their approach to giving is informed by their long careers and a keen eye for opportunities for structural change.

When John’s father passed away in 2008, he left behind a legacy that enabled the couple to do more with their giving than the occasional donation.

“I remember thinking at the time ‘well, we don’t need all of that for ourselves,’” John recalls. Shortly after, Linda and John opened the Running Waters Fund with Australian Communities Foundation.

With a focus on urban ecological sustainability and social justice, the Fund has supported a range of causes over the years: the Community Organising Fellowship; the campaign to Stop Adani; the market-related work on coal and fossil fuels led by Market Forces; and the Reclaim Kosci campaign to get feral horses out of Kosciuszko National Park.

“The Fund is actually named after a lovely little tributary of the Snowy River up in Kosciuszko,” explains Linda. “It’s where we’ve spent almost every summer since we’ve known each other – nearly 40 years.”

“We’d always made donations where we could,” says John, “but opening the Fund with the Foundation gave us the possibility to do much more.”

One of the first things that attracted Linda and John to ACF was the opportunity to connect with other people and organisations championing for change.

“We liked the advocacy and social change focus, which was there even in the early days – that was really attractive to us,” says Linda. “There’s not a lot of point in just continuing to give charitably unless it helps secure change for the people and places you’re trying to help.”

The couple had one reservation when joining, says Linda. “At the time, there wasn’t an ethical investment strategy, but the Foundation listened to the community and we’ve been really thrilled with the sector-leading transition to 100% responsible investing.”

For Linda and John, the greatest joy of being part of the ACF community has been the opportunity to connect with and learn alongside other donors. “The Foundation plays a crucial role in educating and connecting donors with what’s happening on the ground and helping people understand how they can be part of making things happen,” says Linda.

“We’ve really enjoyed going to Learning Circles and meeting other donors and changemakers. When you feel connected to the organisations you’re giving to and become a part of their family, that’s magic – and the Foundation plays a key role in facilitating that connection.”