In 2015, a passionate group of individuals with deep experience across the non-profit sector recognised a significant gap in leadership support for purpose-driven organisations. While leaders were navigating increasingly complex social, organisational and community challenges, there were limited opportunities to connect, learn and grow within a trusted and collaborative peer environment.
This realisation led to the founding of the NonProfit Alliance (NPA), with a clear vision: to create a space where leaders could strengthen their capability, support one another and ultimately drive greater social impact. As the sector evolved and diversified, the organisation grew into the For Purpose Alliance (FPA), a name that better reflects the broad and inclusive nature of our mission today.
FPA now delivers accessible and cost-effective leadership programs designed specifically for leaders across the for-purpose sector, not just traditional non-profits. Our programs support leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment, equipping them with the tools, perspectives, relationships and support needed to lead with confidence and create meaningful change.
FPA is proud to be a social enterprise and Industry Member of SECNA (the Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT) and Social Enterprise Australia.
Every paid FPA membership contributes directly to the FPA Scholarship Program, helping reduce barriers to leadership support and professional development across the for-purpose sector, while increasing equitable access for leaders and organisations who may otherwise miss out.
At the heart of FPA’s approach is a belief that strong leadership drives stronger outcomes for communities. By creating spaces where leaders can connect openly, learn alongside peers and work through real-world challenges together, FPA helps build leadership capability in a way that is practical, relational and grounded in lived experience.
Research continues to reinforce the value of investing in leadership development. A recent study by Learning for Purpose, led by the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia Business School, found that professional development in areas such as governance, strategic leadership and impact evaluation had measurable positive outcomes. Eighty-three per cent of participants said training encouraged new discussions around practice and policy, while 69 per cent reported applying their new knowledge and skills weekly or more frequently.
Importantly, the research also found that every dollar invested in capacity-building generated an average return of six dollars in social value.
Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.
Our Founder
Carmel Molloy is CEO and Founder of The NonProfit Alliance & For Purpose Alliance (FPA). She is a Board Director, Advisor, Social Entrepreneur and accredited Strengths Practitioner. With extensive experience across both the for-purpose and corporate sectors, Carmel is widely recognised for her expertise in organisational leadership, strengths-based development and strategic prioritisation.
Throughout her career, Carmel has held CEO and senior executive roles across a range of national and international organisations, including World Animal Protection, Australia for UNHCR, Camp Quality, Starlight Children’s Foundation and Kids Helpline. Prior to this, she worked as an Agency Account Director leading promotional and marketing activity for major global brands including McDonald’s, Nestlé and Disney.
Carmel specialises in peer-to-peer leadership development that harnesses collective wisdom and lived experience to strengthen leadership capability and organisational impact. She is passionate about creating trusted environments where leaders can learn collaboratively, challenge their thinking and navigate complexity alongside peers who genuinely understand the realities of the sector.
Her notable achievements include co-founding the NonProfit Alliance in 2015, launching the NPA Keynote Series in 2016, being named a finalist for Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, creating the Kids Helpline Radiothon which raised more than $2 million for young people in need of support, and establishing and growing Business Chicks into one of Australia’s most recognised women’s business networks.
