EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This whitepaper explores how purpose-driven organisations can reclaim their influence in an increasingly volatile world. Drawing on global evidence, Australian survey data, real-world case studies and practical tools, it sets out how civil society can strengthen democracy, align with government priorities and secure more sustainable funding.

More than a decade ago, I was the first to use the term government engagement in Australia to describe a distinct discipline — separate from lobbying, advocacy or campaigning. While the language has since been widely adopted, a critical gap remains between genuine engagement and the activities it is often confused with. This whitepaper is concerned with closing that gap.

In Australia, the not-for-profit and civil society sector is operating under considerable strain. The operating environment has been reshaped by declining trust in institutions and increasing political and social polarisation, at a time when funding instability and community demand have hit their peak. International evidence aligns closely with findings from the Tanck-Perpetual survey, with forty per cent of the 200 Australian organisations surveyed reporting being stretched or not coping, fifteen per cent expecting imminent cuts, and most engaging government reactively – not strategically.