To mark the milestone of Mannifera's first five years, we recently came together with members and friends for two special gatherings in Sydney and Melbourne. We heard from our members, partners and advisers about what the collective has meant to them, and our Executive Officer, Harriet McCallum, shared the following reflections about the Mannifera story so far.

Mannifera didn’t simply arrive in the funding world five years ago - it was created gradually and thoughtfully by many of you in the room here tonight. A dozen funders, stewarded by the determined, and oh-so-clever John Spierings and the wonderful Georgia Mathews. By the time Mannifera was ready to be pushed out into the world, it carried with it the strength of our shared values, a clarity of purpose, and a clear-eyed, long term vision of the change we wanted to contribute to - a more complete democracy and an economy with fairness at its heart, protected by a robust and vibrant civil society sector.

The strength and clarity would hold us in good stead as we stepped into many unknowns together. 

Could we do a different, more effective kind of philanthropy; give collectively, give primacy to our relationships and work and learn alongside those we exist to fund?

Could we fill a critical funding gap and resource those advocating for the systems change needed for a stronger democracy and more inclusive economy? 

Could we develop a First Nations led-and-determined funding practice connecting us with the incredible First Nations leaders driving work occurring well beyond the gaze of philanthropy?

Could we be responsive to ever changing contexts and funding needs, take bigger bets together; while remaining steady in our values, our approach and the issues we focus on?

Could we build a community of advocates and funders coordinating efforts to meaningfully contribute to a stronger democracy and more inclusive economy?

The answer is clearly 'yeah we could!' and I am so proud of the practice we have developed, the community we have fostered and the change we have contributed to. 

But what for the next five years of Mannifera?

Can we support the development of a democracy sector in this country - one that can help deliver a new social contract between governments and the public they serve, one that centers First Nations governance principles for delivering for people and the environment, one that works to achieve an inclusive and fair economy that works for everyone?

Can we build the collective resources this sector needs to succeed?

Can we make funding advocacy for the democratic and economic systems change, the popular thing to do in philanthropy? 

Can we continue to build and sustain a collective of funders to stay the long long course with clarity of purpose and shared vision?

We can! Of course we can; and the next three years are critical for this work.

For more information about joining or supporting Mannifera's work, contact our Director of Engagement and Partnerships, Tambelin Boykin.