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Strengthening leadership and governance strategies to drive innovation, operations and growth

17-19 September 2025 | InterContinental Sydney Double Bay

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200+
Attendees
50+
Speakers
35+
Sessions
2
Streams

Event overview

The Australian nonprofit sector faces mounting challenges. Rising service demand, stagnant government funding, and increased regulatory scrutiny put pressure on third-sector leaders to stay mission-focused while adapting to change. To secure sustainable funding and influence policy, sector leaders must actively engage with government, corporates, and philanthropy. 

A 2024 Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) report found that over 60% of nonprofits struggle financially, while 80% face workforce issues such as burnout, skills shortages, and declining volunteer numbers. Meanwhile, digital transformation is reshaping donor engagement, service delivery, and compliance, yet only 35% of Australian nonprofits feel equipped to harness data and AI effectively. 

The Third Sector Leaders Forum 2025 is designed to equip nonprofit leaders with the strategies, partnerships, and innovations needed to thrive in this evolving landscape. This forum is not just about discussing the challenges—it’s about equipping leaders with the tools to overcome them by providing practical solutions, policy insights, and a roadmap for sustainable impact. 

Attend this event and learn how to:

Develop effective leadership, governance and board capability to build resilient organisations

Strengthen trust, transparency and public perception to enhance community confidence and foster long-term stakeholder loyalty

Ensure financial sustainability and diversified funding to reduce reliance on grants and future-proof your mission

Increase data, technology and digital transformation literacy to streamline operations and improve service delivery

Address workforce burnout, development and retention to attract top talent and sustain high-performing teams

Request Brochure

Share a stage with 50+ industry experts

We invite you to join us and share your expertise or suggest a presenter. Please get in touch with us for more information on the event and how to participate. We look forward to hearing from you!

Speaking opportunity

Who should attend

Sectors:

Non-for-profits

Charities

Social Enterprises

NGO's

Governments

Philanthropies

Job titles

C-level executives and senior leaders responsible for:

Operations

Finance

Fundraising

HR/People and Culture

Communications

Strategy

Business Development

Our Speakers

Hear from 50+ leading Not-for-Profit thought leaders including:

Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP2
Hon Andrew Leigh MP
Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury
Sue Woodward
Sue Woodward
Commissioner
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
Katherine Raskob
Katherine Raskob
Chief Executive Officer
Fundraising Institute Australia
Nicole Stanmore
Nicole Stanmore
Chief Executive Officer
Habitat for Humanity Australia
 
Nikki Kinloch
Nikki Kinloch
Chief Executive Officer
Cure cancer
Louise Cummins
Louise Cummins
Chief Marketing Officer
World Vision Australia
Rochelle Courtenay
Founder and Managing Director
Share the Dignity
Jess Wilson
Jess Wilson
Chief Executive Officer
Good Things Foundation
 
Enquire to speak
View all speakers

Event features

The event program meticulously outlines the schedule and flow of activities, designed to fully engage attendees. It details keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions, entertainment, and other planned elements, ensuring a captivating experience from start to finish.

The event program the schedule and flow of activities. It includes details such as keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions, entertainment, and any other planned elements. The program should be designed to engage and captive the attendees.

Streams

Customise your learning journey with 2 inclusive streams encompassing all aspects of the industry, you can design a personalised schedule that maximises your time and experience.

Panel Discussions

Learn from expert panellists who will share their perspectives on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities from the industry.

Case Studies
Gain valuable insights from industry experts through engaging case study sessions, designed to present solutions and learnings to key challenges in the industry.
Workshops
Deep dive into an interactive and intimate classroom style workshops with like-minded individuals and discuss key topics.
Exhibition


Showcase your brand to senior NFP professionals by exhibiting at our event.

Sponsoring
Elevate your brands visibility and choose from a wide range of sponsorship packages to expose your organisation to a diverse audience.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with other industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow senior attendees as you contribute to a shared learning experience.
Streams

Customise your learning journey with 2 inclusive streams encompassing all aspects of the industry, you can design a personalised schedule that maximises your time and experience.

Panel Discussions

Learn from expert panellists who will share their perspectives on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities from the industry.

Case Studies
Gain valuable insights from industry experts through engaging case study sessions, designed to present solutions and learnings to key challenges in the industry.
Workshops
Deep dive into an interactive and intimate classroom style workshops with like-minded individuals and discuss key topics
Exhibition
showcase your brand to senior NFP professionals by exhibiting at our event.
Sponsoring
Elevate your brands visibility and choose from a wide range of sponsorship packages to expose your organisation to a diverse audience.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with other industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow senior attendees as you contribute to a shared learning experience.

The Third Sector’s Leaders Forum, a comprehensive three-day event addressing the critical issues head on. Attendees will learn invaluable insights and practical strategies to bolster their organisations’ capabilities, drive meaningful impact, secure long-term sustainability, and propel growth.

Our Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Interested in partnering for Third Sector Leaders Forum 2025 If you have any questions regarding the partnership options available or how we can collaborate to share your solution with our audience, then please get in touch with spex@thirdsector.com.au

Request Prospectus

What our Attendees say

As someone who is new to the NFP/charity sector, the Third Sector Live conference help me increase my knowledge on what is happening in the sector in Australia. It was so wonderful to hear speakers share information on what has worked for them and also some of the work and processes that they are embracing. This conference is a must for anyone new to the sector and for those that have been around for a while, there is valuable information that is shared

I really enjoyed listening to the range of speakers presenting on a diverse range of topics at the conference. The opportunity to network with other senior executives of other charities and share experiences was incredibly valuable

A very enjoyable event, I met many interesting people from our sector from long term established organisations through to start ups. A good opportunity to be in a room with people leading organisations who face the same challenges and opportunities and hearing how these challenges are overcome.

Post event gallery

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