The 10x10 Origin Story

The 10x10 movement is the brainchild of three passionate social entrepreneurs - Jenny Weinstock, Laurence Marshbaum and Nina Maya Skrzynski, who after attending one too many gala dinners and charity events where they had no concept of where their money was going or the impact it was going to have, felt there was need to create a more meaningful way to help grassroots organisations. 

The three shared a vision that everyone could make a difference by getting involved in philanthropy and therefore saw the need to create a movement that would empower the next generation of changemakers. 

Jenny, Laurence and Nina recognised a real desire from people to give back to their community but in today’s fast paced environment, noted that people often lacked the time, knowledge or infrastructure to know how to do so in a way that would have a lasting impact. Combining this with the number of incredible grassroots not-for-profits in Australia that unfortunately lacked the fundraising capability, resources and knowledge on how to raise crucial funds needed in order to continue their important work, helped to form the 10x10 model. 

The first event based in Sydney involved the three budding philanthropists each inviting 10 of their friends who in turn invited 10 of their own friends, thus bringing 100 people into the room. As part of the night, three selected grassroots charities shared their stories and spoke to the difference the audience's funds would make. Each audience member was also required to donate $100 which was given back to them in two $50 ‘Charity Dollar’ vouchers that were used to decide who to donate their funds to. At the end of that first event, $11,000 was successfully donated to these organisations and from there the 10x10 movement was born. 

However 10x10’s work is more than just financial donations. 10x10’s network is made up of an extraordinary range of individuals who possess a diverse skill set, therefore being able to volunteer their time and skills to these grassroots organisations - continuing to make a difference and lasting impact. People can also volunteer their time to be part of a 10x10 committee in their city helping to organise the next event and make a real difference for three innovative social purpose organisations. 

Each event committee is self-organised with clearly defined roles. With access to 10x10’s tools, resources and a list of criteria which defines the types of organisations that 10x10 seeks to support they’ll research, identify and invite early-stage grassroots organisations who are solving social problems in an innovative and sustainable way onto the stage. 

For our committees, the experience of being involved offers many personal and professional rewards, including: connecting with values-aligned networks, learning about social impact frameworks and fundraising, and developing leadership, communication, and event management skills. Most importantly, it provides the opportunity to make a genuine difference in their local community- . with over 94% of our committee members recommending the 10x10 experience to their friends.

Being invited onto the 10x10 stage not only provides our NFPs a boost to their profile and funds, but it also opens them up to create valuable new connections with a fresh audience. It is usual for our early-stage partners to leverage opportunities for years after pitching from the 10x10 stage.

Corporate partners can also get involved, leveraging our corporate model to inspire and empower staff, while elevating their CSR impact. Partners such as Charter Hall, PwC, Goldman Sachs, and Lottery Corp (to name a few) have already joined us on this journey.

The benefits for corporate partners include access to a pipeline of impact-aligned not-for-profits and the opportunity to develop activation strategies that engage employees. These initiatives are designed to increase participation, build awareness of social causes, and inspire people to take action, contributing to supercharging social change.

Building on this momentum, we now offer high-potential not-for-profits access to our venture philanthropy funding ecosystem. Through partnerships with private funders, families, and corporates, 10x10 is responsible for a $20M+ grant pool that these organisations can access to grow, scale, and deepen their impact. We play a central role in facilitating this ecosystem—connecting high-potential NFPs with funders who share their vision and values. By doing so, we ensure that the most promising organisations receive the multi-year commitments and tailored support they need to drive long-term, meaningful change.

With 10x10 now present in every Australian capital city there are many ways you can get involved to help make a difference. Become part of our community by joining a committee in your city or use your skills for good by creating a skilled volunteering profile and be matched up with a best suited NFP.