NEXUS Australia Convenes Next Gen Leaders to Launch Impact Society
Lucy Steggles, NEXUS Executive Officer, The Duchess of Sussex, The Duke of Sussex, Angus Crowther, NEXUS Committee Chair, and Amanda Smorgon, NEXUS Melbourne Ambassador. Credit: Alex Frank Photography
NEXUS Australia marked a significant milestone for next generation philanthropy with the launch of the NEXUS Impact Society at a special reception in Melbourne on Tuesday 14 April.
The event brought together a curated group of emerging philanthropists, inheritors, impact investors and sector allies, united by a shared ambition to drive meaningful social and environmental change.
The evening was distinguished by the presence of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex, whose participation underscored the growing global attention on the role of next generation leadership in philanthropy. In a fireside conversation with NEXUS Australia Executive Officer, Lucy Steggles and Melbourne Ambassador, Amanda Smorgon, the Duke and Duchess spoke candidly about issues shaping their philanthropic work, including youth mental health, digital safety, and expanding opportunities for women and girls.
Their reflections reinforced a central theme of the evening: that the challenges facing communities today are complex, interconnected and urgent, and require new approaches, new energy and new forms of collaboration.
The launch also introduced the NEXUS Impact Society to the Australian market, a program within the broader NEXUS membership, that has been thriving in the US and Europe since 2021. Designed as a small, trust-based collective, the Impact Society will bring together a select cohort of next generation philanthropists, inheritors and impact investors who are uniquely positioned to influence systems change. As a premium paid membership offering within NEXUS, it provides participants with a tailored suite of services and experiences to deepen their personal impact journeys, from curated learning and global connections to collaborative opportunities with peers.
The inaugural Australian cohorts, comprising just 40 places, will commence on 1 June 2026, with applications closing on 13 May. Participation is by application, reflecting the Society’s focus on building a highly engaged and values-aligned peer community.
As detailed in our feature on 19 March, the launch of the NEXUS Impact Society also reflects the deepening partnership between NEXUS Australia and Philanthropy Australia. Over the past two years, the organisations have worked closely to strengthen the pipeline of next generation philanthropists, recognising both the scale of the intergenerational wealth transfer underway and the evolving expectations of emerging donors. Building on their complementary strengths; NEXUS’s global, peer-led community and Philanthropy Australia’s national leadership role, the partnership is now focused on a more unified, collaborative approach.
NEXUS Australia is part of the global NEXUS network, a movement of more than 6,000 young people across 60 countries working to increase and improve philanthropy and social impact. Founded in 2011 and convened in partnership with the United Nations, NEXUS connects next generation leaders with social innovators to accelerate solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.
At its core, the Impact Society reflects a belief that the next generation brings distinctive strengths to this work, not only access to capital, but also a willingness to embrace innovation, technology and new models of collaboration.
As the philanthropic sector continues to evolve, initiatives like NEXUS highlight the value of investing in emerging leaders, creating spaces where they can connect, learn and act together.
For families and individuals considering how best to support the next generation on their giving journeys, the Impact Society offers a compelling opportunity to be part of a growing movement dedicated to lasting impact.
To find out more about NEXUS Australia, please visit theNEXUS Australia website.
Applications for the inaugural cohort of the NEXUS Impact Society close on 13 May 2026.
To learn more about the Impact Society and apply, please submit anExpression of Interest.