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Welcome to the SA Philanthropy Network

We connect generous South Australians with the guidance, opportunities and networks they need to make giving more effective, ultimately building a thriving culture of local philanthropy.

If you’re a family, individual or organisation looking to begin or expand your philanthropic endeavours, you’ve come to the right place.

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How we help you make an impact

Guidance

Looking for advice on where to start your giving journey? We connect you with the right resources and experts to help you navigate your options and maximise the impact of your generosity.

Get in touch

Funded

Funded is a digital platform that connects generous South Australians with local giving opportunities, making it simple to discover and support projects that create meaningful community impact. We're a matchmaker between donors and charities.

Funded portal

Network

Join a vibrant community of like-minded philanthropists. Through our quarterly events and connections, you’ll gain insights, share ideas, and build relationships that amplify your giving.

Join the Network

Philanthropy, noun from Greek philanthrōpía love of humanity

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How it works

The SA Philanthropy Network warmly welcomes anyone who shares a passion for philanthropy and connecting with like-minded individuals and organisations.

Joining us is hassle-free, with no membership requirements or joining fees. Simply sign up to our mailing list, and you’ll be informed about the latest sector news and upcoming events. It’s that easy!

Start your journey
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Funded - now live!

Discover and support

Funded is South Australia's first digital platform dedicated to connecting donors with local giving opportunities. The platform simplifies philanthropic giving by providing a clear, accessible way to discover and support community projects across the state.

Discover now

From the Founder

Kay Burton

Meet Kay, a Passionate Advocate for Giving

Kay Burton founded the SA Philanthropy Network with a simple yet powerful goal: to unlock South Australia’s incredible potential for community giving. With over 15 years of executive experience across the US and Australia, Kay has seen the transformative power of strategic philanthropy.

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Her journey began in the New England region of the US, working for the University of Maine System and later becoming a key member of the executive team for United States Senator Susan Collins in Washington, D.C.

After relocating to Adelaide, her work establishing the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute's inaugural fundraising strategy and serving as State Manager for Philanthropy Australia gave her unique insights into the challenges donors face and the opportunities for making generosity more impactful.

In 2018, Kay co-founded the Burton Foundation with her husband, Julian, where she experienced these challenges firsthand – from finding the right opportunities to building connections with like-minded donors. This inspired her to create the SA Philanthropy Network, an organisation designed to make giving easier, more accessible, and more effective for everyone.

Today, Kay leads a movement to foster a thriving culture of philanthropy in South Australia. Through personalised guidance, the innovative Funded platform, and dynamic networking events, the SA Philanthropy Network is helping donors maximise their impact and shape the future of giving in the state.

Latest

Funded recently featured by InDaily!
🔗 Link in bio ❤️

✨ Funded Launch Recap is Here!✨

A huge thank you to everyone who made the launch of Funded unforgettable! Your support means the world 🫶

Special shoutout to the incredible people below for being part of such an amazing night:

@natcookmp 
@sahmri_au
@humourfoundation
@the_village_co
@bendigobankoffical
@gogoevents
@encoremusiccollective
@brighter.design
@communikateetal

#FundedLaunch #Philanthropy #GivingMadeEasy

Last week, we proudly launched Funded in South Australia—its first global destination! Huge thanks to @bonniehumphrey & @averillmoserrust for the opportunity to co-develop this app. Excited to see its impact grow! 🎉

A special thank you to Hon @natcookmp, Professor Maria Makrides and the @sahmri_au team for hosting this event and making this launch possible. Together, we’re transforming philanthropy! 🫶

#FundedLaunch #Philanthropy #GivingMadeEasy #SAPhilanthropyNetwork #Funded

✨ What a night! ✨ A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of wisdom, wealth, and a little dragon taming with the SA Philanthropy network 🐉

Missed out on an evening of philanthropy and dragon taming? Or just want to relive the magic? Our event recap video is here! ✨

#DragonofFamilyWealth #flindersuniversity #AdelaideEvents #SAPhilanthropyNetwork

🚀 Exciting News! Our upcoming SA Philanthropy Network event—Introducing: Funded!—is officially SOLD OUT!

A huge thank you to everyone who registered and joined the waitlist. Your enthusiasm for growing philanthropy in South Australia is amazing!

We’re also incredibly grateful to our event partner, @sahmri_au, for their generous support and commitment to advancing philanthropy across Australia.

📩 Want to stay in the loop on future events and news? Head to our website to register your details!

#Philanthropy #SAPhilanthropyNetwork #Funded #Networking #Impact

🐉 The Dragon of Family Wealth 🐉

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Flinders University City Campus for The Dragon of Family Wealth—How to Tame it, Train it, and Ride it!

👏 A huge thank you to our brilliant speakers,Patrycja Slawuta (UnLab) and Heather Lord(Philanthropy & Social Impact), for sharing invaluable insights on navigating family wealth and philanthropy.

⭐ Special thanks to our event partner and theFlinders University team—Ted Wynn and Lynda Allen—for their support in growing philanthropy in SA and beyond.

📖 Missed the event? Patrycja and Heather have generously compiled a curated resource list on family wealth and philanthropy—available on our website!

#Philanthropy #Flindersuniversity #FamilyWealth #SAPhilanthropyNetwork #DragonofFamilyWealth

🎉 And we’re back!

Join us for our first event of 2025 on Tuesday, February 18: "The Dragon of Family Wealth: How to Tame It and Train It."

This exclusive evening is tailored for funders—individuals, families, foundations, and professional advisors—seeking to deepen their understanding of family wealth dynamics and elevate their philanthropic impact.

🗓️ Event Details
📍 Location: Flinders University City Campus, One Festival Tower, Level 14, Station Road, Adelaide
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM ACDT

🌟 Featuring:
-Patrycja Slawuta: Behavioural scientist and entrepreneur, offering insights into human complexity.
-Heather Lord: Philanthropic expert with decades of experience designing transformative impact initiatives.

✨ A special thank you to our event partner, Flinders University, for hosting this event and supporting our shared mission to grow philanthropy across South Australia and beyond.

👉 Visit our website to reserve your spot today!

#SAPhilanthropyNetwork #Philanthropy #FamilyWealth #SAGiving

❤️2024: A Year of Impact and Connection.
We’re excited to share the SA Philanthropy Network’s 2024 Recap Video—highlighting the milestones and moments that defined our inaugural year

From launching the Network and hosting impactful events to sparking meaningful conversations and connecting philanthropists with not-for-profits, 2024 was a year of collaboration and progress.

🌟 Thank you to our incredible network of individuals, families, foundations, businesses, and NFP partners, as well as our event partners—your support made this year possible.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! #philanthropy #saphilanthropynetwork #adelaideevents #communityimpact #generosityinaction

Join the network

Joining us is hassle-free, with no membership requirements or joining fees. Simply fill in your details below, and you’ll be informed about the latest sector news and upcoming events. It’s that easy!

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FAQs

What is the SA Philanthropy Network?


Founded by Kay Burton in early 2024, the SA Philanthropy Network is dedicated to growing the culture of giving across South Australia and beyond. Through free, quarterly events, we bring together philanthropists, change-makers, and the wider community for educational and inspiring conversations around impactful giving.

Beyond our events, we connect you with the right resources and experts to help you navigate your options and maximise the impact of your generosity.

How much does it cost to join the Network?

In the true spirit of giving, it’s free... with no strings attached. We’re looking to connect philanthropists, those who are interested in starting their giving journey, and organisations across the wider philanthropic sector.

I’m a not-for-profit organisation, can I join?

Yes, you're welcome! While our primary purpose is to connect philanthropists and expand the giving culture in South Australia, we will also be supporting not-for-profit organisations with designated events and opportunities for funding connections as the network grows. You can also visit Funded - our digital portal - to post a project that you need funding for!

How is the Network funded?

The SA Philanthropy Network is a not-for-profit organisation funded through private philanthropy and the generous support from our event partners. We exist to inspire, connect, and help grow a culture of giving across South Australia.

What is Funded?


Funded is South Australia’s first digital platform dedicated to connecting donors with local giving opportunities. Owned and operated by the SA Philanthropy Network, the platform simplifies philanthropic giving by providing a clear, accessible way to discover and support community projects across the state. We're a matchmaker between donors and charities!
Discover Now


This is the only forum where I’ve been able to connect with so many charities that have benefited from donations from our fund. I’ve also met a new potential charity to support and I’m now scheduled to meet with them in a couple of weeks.
Ryan Finnimore Senior Manager, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
Thank you for organising and hosting a fantastic and inspiring event yesterday. I exchanged details with a few people who I believe would be great recipients for our next grants round, which is a fantastic outcome from my perspective.
Angelo Russo Deputy Chairperson, Morialta Charitable Trust
I have been working through the PAF establishment with my accountant and I’m very excited about the opportunity. I would never have known about this were it not for the exposure gained through your advice and introductions.
Richard Barrett Chief Executive, Industry Leaders Fund
For the first time in the 5+ years I’ve been in the philanthropy sector, this is a newsletter that tells me what I need and want to know about. A beautiful balance of facts and stories.
Erin Faehrmann Chief Play Officer, Lead With Play
Your unique approach is making a valuable difference in South Australia. I met two potential collaborators at the event last night whose missions align with our research. I’m excited to introduce them to people who may be able to support their work in the future.
Monique Littlejohn Senior Philanthropy Manager, Major Gifts, University of South Australia

Keen to get involved or want to learn more?
Get in contact with Kay Burton.

Email kay