An unprecedented philanthropic investment of $16.4 million is set to significantly expand Australia’s leading leadership development initiative for the social sector — Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA). This funding aims to build the capacity of CEOs and organisations addressing complex social and environmental issues, by helping to close the leadership development gap between corporate and not-for-profit (NFP) sectors.
Developed by the Centre for Social Impact in collaboration with five prominent Australian philanthropic foundations, the expanded SILA program will now support an additional 120 for-purpose CEOs. The initiative offers immersive, fully funded leadership development, based on global best practices in executive education, to equip leaders with tools to respond to increasing service demands and systemic challenges.
The latest funding builds on a prior $10.4 million investment and brings the total commitment to $26.8 million over ten years. Early evaluations reveal strong results: all participants reported positive organisational impact, and 87% observed enhanced internal capability and culture. SILA also benefits organisations by supporting senior leaders and board development, with nearly a third of funding reinvested into organisational capacity building.
The program also creates a nationwide network of systems-thinking leaders, fostering cross-sector collaboration and long-term impact. Funders include The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund, the Snow Foundation, the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, and the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
Key leaders behind SILA highlighted the program’s transformative outcomes and its role in strengthening the broader social impact ecosystem. Applications for Cohort 6 (Victoria and Tasmania) will open in 2026, with the program expanding to all remaining states by 2031.
