Blueprint Expert Reference Group

Purpose and role

In the 2022–23 October Budget, the government announced the measure Development of the Not-for-profit (NFP) Sector Development Blueprint (the NFP Blueprint) and doubling philanthropic giving by 2030.

In delivering the measure:

• we worked with the Community Services Advisory Group (CSAG) to establish the Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG).
• the Productivity Commission reviewed the current framework to incentivise philanthropy. It delivered the final report on the inquiry into philanthropy to the Australian Government on 10 May 2024. The government released final report(Opens in a new tab/window) to the public on 18 July 2024.

The NFP Blueprint

The NFP Blueprint is a 10-year roadmap, developed independently by the not-for-profit (NFP) sector, through BERG. It outlines reform options to strengthen social capital and to build a vibrant sector.

The NFP Blueprint is intended to be a visionary document to ensure the NFP and charity sector is ‘future ready’, and can set its own direction to support Australians in need now and in the future.

It was delivered to Assistant Minister Leigh on 27 November 2024.

Terms of Reference

The Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) Terms of Reference were approved in May 2023. Slight revisions made to membership and timeframe were approved by the group on 18 September 2023.

Membership

• Matt Gardiner, CEO, 54 reasons
• Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service
• Kasy Chambers, Executive Director, Anglicare Australia
• Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
• Mark Pearce, CEO, Volunteering Australia
• Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo*, CEO, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
• Toby oConnor, CEO, St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia
• Jeff Smith, CEO, Disability Advocacy Network Australia
• Ian Hamm, Chair of the Board of Directors, First Nations Foundation
• Chris D’Souza**, Group Manager, Department of Social Services.

* Formerly Mohammad Al-Khafaji, for period December 2022 to September 2023. 
** Formerly Karen Pickering, for the period December 2022 to March 2023.

Expert advisers to BERG

• Professor Jo Barraket AM, Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute at the University of Melbourne
• Professor David Gilchrist, Director of the Centre for Public Value at the University of Western Australia.

BERG consultation

BERG consulted with the sector and the public to help inform the priority areas for reform. The consultation process was a chance for individuals and other organisations to engage with the NFP Blueprint development.

BERG and CSAG members developed a NFP Sector Development Blueprint Issues Paper (Blueprint Issues Paper), which was used in consultations with the sector in 2023. Further targeted consultations were conducted in June and July 2024 ahead of the NFP Blueprint being finalised.

The Blueprint Issues Paper is available for reference on DSS Engage(Opens in a new tab/window).

A Synthesis Report(Opens in a new tab/window) was developed that detailed the main findings of the submissions and roundtable consultations.

A stronger, more diverse and independent community sector

In addition to the NFP Blueprint, CSAG has been identified as the key consultation mechanism for the election commitment to a stronger, more diverse and independent community sector to influence broader grant funding reforms across the Commonwealth and consider options for greater innovation.

Find out more about the Community Services Advisory Group.

Contact us

For more information about the NFP Blueprint, email CSAGSecretariat@dss.gov.au.