Supporter spotlight

A conversation with SVA supporters Jane and Andrew Clifford

Jane and Andrew Clifford are SVA members and, through the JAAM Foundation, long-standing supporters of our work. Jane has recently been appointed Patron of the SVA Supporters Network.

We spoke with Jane and Andrew about what first drew them to SVA’s work, what continues to inspire their involvement, and why they believe long-term, collaborative approaches to social change are so important.

You’ve both been connected to SVA for a long time. What first drew you to SVA, and what continues to resonate with you?

Jane: What first drew us to SVA was really someone tapping us on the shoulder and saying, “You should get to know this organisation.”

At the time, we were starting to think about philanthropy – we wanted to give – but we weren’t very familiar with it in a formal sense. We both came from families where giving back was about time and service rather than financial support.

As we got to know SVA, it became clear that education was something that resonated strongly with us. That’s how we became involved in The Connection.

Andrew: That introduction came at a good time for us, as we were starting to think more deliberately about our philanthropy. What stood out about SVA early on was its focus on venture philanthropy and its support for a wide range of not-for-profit partners that were doing genuinely good work.

More than 15 years on, I think SVA continues to play a critical role in the not-for-profit world – bringing together social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and government. That ability to connect people, ideas and systems in a meaningful way is what continues to resonate.

How do you approach your giving decisions as a family, and how do your individual perspectives influence that?

“We share very similar values and ways of thinking, and we’ve rarely had major disagreements about where we focus our support.” – Jane Clifford

Jane: When it comes to philanthropy, we’ve always been remarkably aligned. We share very similar values and rarely have major disagreements about where to focus our support.

There are a few personal “mantras” that guide me. One is looking for work that isn’t always being funded but is still deeply important and doing good. Another is understanding that support doesn’t have to be forever – sometimes the role is to help something get established and then step back and trust it to grow in its own right. That philosophy has very much been shaped by our involvement with SVA.

“What matters most to me is supporting people who are doing good work, with integrity and purpose.” – Andrew Clifford

Andrew: My perspective is less about specific sectors and more about people. From my investing background, I learned that organisations with strong cultures and good leadership tend to perform well over the long term – and I think the same applies in philanthropy.

People often ask whether I’m interested in particular causes – education, environment, health – and the answer is usually yes, but also no. What matters most to me is supporting people who are doing good work, with integrity and purpose – and taking the time to really understand their work. When you find organisations like that, the focus tends to follow naturally.

How important has getting involved beyond funding been in your philanthropic journey?

Andrew: It’s been very important. Writing the cheque matters – but so does getting involved to the extent that you can. Taking the time to understand the work of the organisations you’re supporting makes a real difference.

It helps you see not just what an organisation is doing, but how and why. Ultimately, it makes the experience much more satisfying, because you feel genuinely connected to the work you’re supporting.

“Writing the cheque matters – but real impact comes from taking the time to understand the work and the people behind it.” – Andrew Clifford

Jane, how has your experience as a teacher shaped the way you think about your philanthropy?

Jane: Being an English teacher, I’ve always believed literacy is fundamental – it’s the key to accessing education more broadly. Education has long been a real leveller: it creates genuine opportunity, and I believe it’s absolutely central for people who want to move forward.

I saw that very clearly in the school where I was teaching. It was highly multicultural, with many refugee and immigrant children. They were incredibly aspirational, and their parents saw education as the pathway forward – the way their children could build opportunity and progress in life. It reinforced for me how important those early foundations are – and why strong early years and education pathways matter so much for long-term outcomes.

How do you involve your family in philanthropy?

Andrew: It’s something we’re mindful of, but we don’t force it. Our children are aware of what we do and the organisations we support, and there’s a growing curiosity there – but it’s important to us that any involvement comes from genuine interest.

Jane: Education and exposure matter most – helping them understand the issues and the impact, in much the same way we were educated ourselves. Over time, we want them to feel informed and empowered to explore their own interests, rather than feeling any sense of obligation.

How do you move from values to decisions when choosing which organisations to support?

Jane: What matters most is having confidence in the organisation itself. Trust is critical. Sometimes our support isn’t tied to specific outcomes, because you’re placing faith in the organisation – that they know what they’re doing, and where best to invest. And when you’re supporting things like research, there’s always a possibility of failure – but that’s part of learning what works.

Andrew: For me, it starts with exposure. You have to be willing to meet organisations, to say yes to those first conversations, even if they don’t ultimately lead anywhere. Often, we start supporting in a relatively small way and let the relationship develop over time.

Some people worry a lot about whether money might be wasted – and occasionally it will be. That’s part of the risk. The bigger question is whether an organisation is genuinely doing good. That’s why understanding the work and building confidence over time really matters.

I also strongly believe in untied funding. When you trust an organisation, you’re comfortable leaving those decisions about how funds are used in their hands.

When you’re talking to friends or peers about why you support SVA, how do you usually describe what it does?

Andrew: I tend to think about three groups: social entrepreneurs with great ideas, the people who are able to fund those ideas and government. SVA plays a role that’s more than just bringing those groups together – it also helps strengthen organisations and contributes to policy development, particularly in areas like early years and education.

When I explain SVA to others, I usually focus on the way it connects people, ideas and systems in a way that’s genuinely important and quite unique.

Jane: I often describe SVA as the thinking person’s philanthropic organisation. It has a level of sophistication that I hadn’t really seen elsewhere. I used to think of it as an umbrella – there are so many organisations with great ideas, but they don’t always have the structure or capability to make those ideas work.

SVA helps organisations build that capability, supports them for a period of time and helps them stand on their own feet. In some ways, it reminds me of parents helping their children grow and then letting them go.

Jane, you’ve been connected to SVA in different ways over time. What does being Patron of the SVA Supporters Network mean to you?

Jane: I think it’s a real privilege. And I hope that, in some small way, I can be helpful.

If Andrew and I can help show what’s possible – not by saying “this is what you should do”, but by sharing our experience and being open about our journey – then that feels meaningful to me.

For me, the role is really about helping to create a sense of community and bringing people along in a way that feels welcoming and genuine.

Andrew: At the beginning, it can feel quite daunting. When we first found ourselves in a position to give, it was hard to know where to start – but you do just have to begin.

There’s no such thing as perfection at the start. Pick one organisation or one issue that resonates with you and start doing something. Your understanding will grow over time.

Jane: Many people are very aware of the social inequities in our country. Australia is a prosperous place, but that prosperity isn’t shared by everyone.

If people want to contribute in a meaningful way, one of the most important things they can do is educate themselves. Coming to SVA is a really good way to do that – it extends your understanding, gives you access to evidence, ideas and partnerships, and offers ways to contribute that genuinely help address those imbalances.