Farewell and thank you: Cat Fay steps down from the RGA Board
After a decade of extraordinary service, leadership, and care, we farewell Cat Fay as she steps down from the Board of Rainbow Giving Australia.
Cat has been with us from the very beginning — a founding director of The Channel in 2016, through GiveOUT and the Aurora merger, all the way to Rainbow Giving Australia as we know it today. Her influence is woven into every part of who we are.
Alongside her role as Managing Partner of Perpetual Private's Social Investment businesses and ESG Strategy, Cat has brought deep philanthropic expertise, a commitment to democratised giving, and a fierce belief in resourcing marginalised communities — particularly LGBTQIA+ communities.
Through this work, she has helped build not only a stronger organisation, but also helped shape a culture of giving across Australia grounded in fairness, accountability, and community voice.
While we will deeply miss her presence at the Board table, we are grateful she will remain closely connected through our Fundraising Committee and her ongoing leadership across the sector.
Reflections from the community
Georgia Mathews, Deputy Chair of Rainbow Giving Australia, and founding Board Member of GiveOUT (formerly The Channel):
“Cat's genuine and unwavering commitment to better outcomes for our communities is something to behold. She's been with us from day one — guiding, challenging and leading in service of this commitment over many years. A founder, Board Director, fierce advocate and safe set of hands for The Channel, GiveOut, and now Rainbow Giving Australia, her departure comes at a time when the organisation is stronger than ever and that's a testament to her contribution."
Sam Turner, Chair of Rainbow Giving Australia and former Chair of Aurora:
“Cat Fay is not only a passionate and committed Director, but someone who has a longstanding passion for empowering and enabling LGBTQIA+ communities. We have been fortunate to learn from Cat's extensive experience and expertise throughout her time with Rainbow Giving Australia. Her steadiness, wisdom and deep commitment to community have shaped our Board and our organisation profoundly. Whilst Cat is stepping off the RGA Board, we are excited she will remain connected to us through the Fundraising Committee."
Leonard Vary, CEO of Sidney Myer Fund and Chair of Equality Australia:
“Cat Fay is truly a pioneer of organised rainbow philanthropy in this country. As a founding board member of what began as The Channel, became GiveOUT and has now emerged as Rainbow Giving Australia, Cat has brought her immense strategic skills, clarity and warmth not only to building RGA, but to catalysing strategic giving for LGBTIQA+ organisations and causes more broadly. Many of us are inspired by Cat's example, and many more in organisations and communities all around the country have benefited from her work."
Em Scott, CEO of Rainbow Giving Australia:
“Being CEO of GiveOUT and now Rainbow Giving Australia has been a dream job, in large part because of Cat Fay. Her values, humility and commitment are embedded in our organisation's DNA. Her leadership inspires all of us to show up fully, do our best work, and uplift LGBTQIA+ communities. I feel deeply honoured to have learned from the absolute best."
A word from Cat
“It goes without saying that working with this organisation in the role of director has been a career highlight. Not only have I had the opportunity to work with brilliant people, but I've also had an opportunity to contribute in a small way back to our community. These things are both gifts.
The thing I am most proud of, is that we were able to stand up an organisation that was entirely focused on lifting others. We have demonstrated that culture in our fundraising action, advocacy and governance. An organisational culture like that is developed by the people welcomed to be a part of it — and that makes me proud."
💛 We thank Cat for everything she has given and for the legacy she continues to create.
