Nicole Beyer is a non-profit executive leader, who co-founded Theatre Network Australia, a peak body for small to medium and independent performing arts. She works in strategy, policy and facilitation and is an advocate for a more inclusive and fairer society.
I grew up in social housing. We were pretty poor, but I didn't realise that we were poor because no one had money in those days, and there was always a sense that we were privileged - we had a home, and we had our talents. My parents grew up during the war in Europe so for them, coming to Australia and living in a safe country was a big privilege. They were always, and still are, really generous people, and I think that's where my giving comes from.
In my younger years, even when I didn’t have money, I volunteered my time. In the early days it was mostly in the arts because I liked being a part of a bigger creative community. My involvement in community theatre and choirs, although it wasn’t volunteering in the traditional sense, was still being part of broader society in an unpaid way.
In my twenties, I read a lot of Peter Singer and one of his books, The Life You Can Save, was around the idea that everyone can give, when they earn a ‘comfortable’ salary (which he says is just above the average salary in Australia). He recommends giving at least 5% of your gross income. My partner and I have always done that and then, when we were left a small inheritance, we decided to set up structured giving and do something bigger.
One of the drivers of my giving is definitely altruism and what can we do for the world, but there's something quite selfish as well. I'm in my fifties and I'm really interested in what makes me happy and what gives my life meaning. Contributing to causes contributes to my wellbeing, and to include our daughters, who are 21 and 23 years old, is something that makes us feel like we can contribute in a meaningful way in this world.
I've always supported the arts. During Covid, it was the second hardest hit industry after hospitality, and my organisation, Theatre Network Australia, set up a donations campaign, to give $1,000 bursaries to artists. In a short period of time, we raised $370,000 because there were so many people who knew that artists were struggling, and they understood the vital role that artists play in our society. We were able to give out 370 bursaries to artists around the country through this small process that we set up, and it had an amazing impact. We worked in partnership with the Australian Cultural Fund, which still provides that mechanism for artists who don't have DGR, to upload a project to which people can donate and get tax deductibility. Seeing how much those small bursaries meant to artists continues to drive my giving today.
In terms of our structured giving, we have what’s called a sub-fund, through Australian Philanthropic Services (APS). APS was set up by Chris Cuffe, who decided that he wanted to make it easier for wealthy people to give through structured giving.
The way it works is that you donate a lump sum, and you can get tax deductions on that donation for up to five years. APS takes a small percentage for all their administration costs, and they invest the money in a way that makes a good return but is also ethical.
Every year you have to give 4% of the capital away and it's in perpetuity. So, we’re hoping that our sub-fund will have enough in it for our children to be able to give well into the future. We had a family meeting with APS recently, to talk about how we will give moving forward. Our youngest is studying science and she’s interested in giving to medical research, so now we're going to do some research on where's the real need in that area. Our oldest has always been interested in education and in protecting wildlife habitat, so that will be another focus. Being involved is going to make them even more amazing young women as they go out into the world, understanding that they can make a difference.
Even with a few small grants like this, our children feel like they can continue that legacy and they're going to be more aware of what the needs are in the world and hopefully share that with their own families and friends. We need more people who have enough money in this world to give more.
Don't be scared to give through a charity, especially in Australia where we have the DGR process and all sorts of due diligence checks. I've heard people worry about not knowing where the money goes, but most charities are incredibly efficient. Yes, there are some administration costs, but that's because they need to do their job and have paid professionals to do that work. It's not a world of charlatans out there. It really isn't.
My second lesson is that international causes are really great way for your money to go further. And there is a real need for support in the developing world because wages and the standard of living is so much lower. We try to give to a balance of overseas projects and local ones. And I believe that giving to women and girls is always more impactful because empowered matriarchs have a greater impact on the girls and the women around them. Educating girls is something that we really need to do more of in the world.
I don't think that philanthropy should replace what the government needs to do. I think our tax system needs to change so that people who are earning more pay more tax. And then, philanthropy can be more strategic and fill in the gaps on projects that are hard for a government to do.
I want to see more collective giving opportunities for people, through workplace giving for example, and personally I want our children to continue being philanthropists at some level and for the word to spread.
I would also really like to get the message across that supporting arts and culture in Australia is vital. It's a great investment because artists are incredibly creative and can make a small amount go a long way. As the work is made public, it has resonance, not only for the audience, but the participants as well. I see so many incredible projects where the benefit of someone being involved is life-changing. Arts and culture can help us make sense of the world or it can simply bring a smile to your face at just the right time.
Is a highly respected social and cultural change leader, with over 20 years in the CEO role of four not-for-profit organisations, and extensive experience on industry and government boards, panels, and advisory groups. She is recognised as a leading advocate for the creative industries, and has influenced public policy – cultural, social and public health – at federal, state and local government levels. In her most recent role, as founding Executive Director of Theatre Network Australia (TNA), from 2009 to 2024, Nicole contributed to a stronger and more integrated arts and cultural industry across Australia. In 2017 she received the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Facilitator’s Prize for her sector leadership. In all her work she is a champion for equity and justice for First Nations people, culturally and racially marginalised people, children and young people and d/Deaf and disabled people. Nicole is currently Chair of the Advisory Board, Bachelor of Creative Arts, Deakin University, and on the Board of Terrapin Puppet Theatre in Tasmania.
