We acknowledge the Traditional Owners/Custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and live on across Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to collaboration that furthers self-determination and creates a better future for all. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains images and names of deceased persons.

The Australian Centre for Social Innovation

We work with: Philanthropy

We partner with philanthropic foundations on future-focused projects, initiatives and strategies that centre innovation, lived expertise, community leadership and outcomes for future generations

We work with: Philanthropy

Investing in the future, centering innovation

We act as a strategic partner to philanthropy, helping foundations realise their ambitions through strategy, design, innovation and implementation.

We can work together to:

  • Support the development of granting programs
  • Design and implement long-term systems change initiative
  • Partner in the creation of new knowledge; support innovation programs and projects
  • Build grantee and sector capability

We’re  also seeking funding partners for initiatives that we believe will make a major contribution to Australia’s capability to tackle complex social challenges. Read more about these here.

Our experience

We’ve co-designed over 10 state and Commonwealth policies across aging, housing, mental health, and justice. Recent government partnerships include:

Our Town workshop on Kangaroo Island

A picture of the seaside on a bright, sunny day with white clouds sketched over the photo.

Featured case study:

Our Town

Context: Rural communities often face high rates of mental health challenges with limited access to traditional services. In partnership with the Fay Fuller Foundation, we launched Our Town to move beyond clinical interventions toward community-led wellbeing.

Scale: A landmark 10-year, $20 million commitment supporting nine regional towns across South Australia to take ownership of their own mental health futures.

The work: We provided the social R&D infrastructure – including coaching, tools, and flexible funding – to help towns like Kimba, Berri, and Cummins move through a multi-year cycle of deep listening, discovery, and prototyping local solutions.

Let’s invest in the systemic change Australia needs next.

Whether you’re looking to evolve your funding strategy or seeking a partner to incubate a systems change initiative, our team is ready to help you maximize your long-term impact.

We also work with

Commonwealth and state government

Commonwealth and state government

We have deep and broad experience working within the unique constraints and opportunities of government.

Learn more
Primary Healthcare Networks (PHNs)

Primary Healthcare Networks (PHNs)

We work as strategic partners with PHNs across Australia, bringing social innovation practices to every stage of the commissioning cycle, with the goal to improve local healthcare outcomes.

Learn more
Not-for-profits and service providers

Not-for-profits and service providers

From ideas to implementation, we work alongside not-for-profit organisations to build the conditions for innovation and lived experience inclusion to thrive.

Learn more
Communities

Communities

We support community members and community organisations to strengthen capability for influencing and leading local change.

Learn more
Specialist partnerships

Specialist partnerships

We partner with values-aligned researchers and specialists agencies to enable them to use social innovation practices and examples/case studies in their work.

Learn more
Commonwealth and state government

Commonwealth and state government

We have deep and broad experience working within the unique constraints and opportunities of government.

Learn more
Primary Healthcare Networks (PHNs)

Primary Healthcare Networks (PHNs)

We work as strategic partners with PHNs across Australia, bringing social innovation practices to every stage of the commissioning cycle, with the goal to improve local healthcare outcomes.

Learn more
Not-for-profits and service providers

Not-for-profits and service providers

From ideas to implementation, we work alongside not-for-profit organisations to build the conditions for innovation and lived experience inclusion to thrive.

Learn more
Communities

Communities

We support community members and community organisations to strengthen capability for influencing and leading local change.

Learn more
Specialist partnerships

Specialist partnerships

We partner with values-aligned researchers and specialists agencies to enable them to use social innovation practices and examples/case studies in their work.

Learn more

TACSI Learning
Hub

Deepen your and your colleagues’ skills and understanding of social innovation – and your confidence to put it into practice. We run short and long courses for all skill levels in areas including: co-design, coproduction, allyship and working in systems.