Innovation takes centre stage at the Judith Neilson Foundation 

Philanthropy isn’t just about funding—it’s about possibility. It’s about asking better questions, testing bold ideas, and adapting to meet changing needs. That mindset is taking shape at the Judith Neilson Foundation through a new focus on innovation, led by two new team members: Abi Taylor, Program Director for Innovation, and Sascha Oliver, Innovation Program Officer. 

Together, they bring experience in social justice, human rights, and systems thinking—and a shared belief that innovation in philanthropy means more than novelty. It’s about creating space for experimentation, backing what works, and supporting the people closest to the issues to lead change. In this conversation, Abi and Sascha reflect on what drew them to this work, what they’re exploring at the Foundation, and how philanthropy can help ideas take root and thrive.  

Philanthropy has always been about more than just funding,” says Abi. “It’s about asking better questions, testing ideas, and adapting to meet changing needs.

What drew you to working in philanthropy and innovation? 

Abi: I’m always inspired by the brilliant people driving social innovation — leveraging new opportunities, solving real problems and creating more joy in the world. The creativity, capability and commitment involved in taking an idea from concept to something that meaningfully improves lives is humbling. But it’s frustrating to see so many barriers for those innovations to realise their full impact. Philanthropy isn’t just about funding. It’s also about making space for people to test and adapt ideas, and creating the conditions for new approaches to take root.  

Sascha: From my first experience, the passion and values that shape philanthropy and the ability to shift power and amplify voices of those with lived experiences drew me to this sector. With a background in human rights, history and international relations I’ve seen the impact of different approaches first hand. What excites me about this work is thinking about how philanthropy can support solutions that are built to last and respond to entrenched, interconnected issues, rather than just addressing immediate needs. 

Abi, you’re at the Skoll World Forum this week. What’s on your mind? 

Abi: Skoll brings together people who are working on some of the biggest challenges of our time. I’m looking forward to conversations about how philanthropy can be a better partner to those leading change—how we can listen more, take more thoughtful risks, and support innovation in a way that is truly useful. 

What’s something about innovation in philanthropy that people don’t always consider? 

Sascha: It’s not always about brand-new ideas or new technologies. Sometimes the most effective solutions have been around for a long time but need the right support to grow or adapt to new contexts. Innovation is as much about learning from what works as it is about trying something new. 

Abi: Exactly – and meaningful innovation takes time. There’s a temptation to look for quick wins, but creating meaningful change through innovation is often slow, iterative, and built on lasting relationships.

Innovation is often associated with solving complex problems at scale or achieving greater impact with fewer resources—but that’s only one version of innovation, not always the most effective. 

Transformative innovation often stems from passion, not just a search for efficiency. The best innovations often come from individuals with deep connections to particular places or contexts. A fixation on scale can cause us to overlook the most committed changemakers with the ability to deliver deep and sustained impact with the people around them. By acting thoughtfully, philanthropy can create the conditions for diverse approaches to innovation, leadership and impact to emerge. From these seeds, great ideas can flourish and grow.  

As we continue exploring how philanthropy sparks and sustains innovation, Abi and Sascha help shape these conversations—at Skoll and beyond. To join the dialogue, get in touch with our Innovation team: innovation@judithneilsonfoundation.org