About PayPal Giving Fund
Harnessing tech for good causes
PayPal Giving Fund is a public charity that uses PayPal tech and support to fundraise for causes. Without charging individual donors or charities for our services.
Our board
Guiding with purpose. Governing with integrity.
PayPal Giving Fund is led by an experienced and independent Board of Directors dedicated to upholding our mission and values. Acting on behalf of donors and beneficiaries, the board provides strategic oversight, ensures operational transparency, and monitors organizational impact. They meet regularly to review policies and practices that support integrity, accountability, and long-term effectiveness.
Simon Banks
Chair of PayPal Giving Fund and Managing Director of PayPal Australia
Simon is a pioneer in digital commerce and disruptive technologies, drawing on a distinguished career at companies like Salesforce.com, Oracle, Siebel, and PayPal. He is currently Managing Director at PayPal Australia, overseeing teams working with large merchants and key accounts. Previously, Simon established Hyperwallet's Australia and Asia Pacific presence, including business building and regulatory licensing, and continues to serve as Managing Director of Hyperwallet Systems Australia Pty Ltd after its acquisition by PayPal. He holds a Master of Business in Marketing from the University of Technology Sydney and a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Diana Mason
Chair Fairhaven Services and Managing Director World Bicycle Relief
With 25 years’ experience in the for-purpose sector across a range of social cause organizations in Australia, the UK, and globally, Diana has developed extensive expertise in nonprofit leadership, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships. She is currently the Managing Director for World Bicycle Relief and Chair of Fairhaven Services, where she applies her skills in governance, strategy, and social innovation to help organizations achieve lasting impact. Throughout her career, Diana has cultivated strong networks across the nonprofit and corporate sectors, with a particular focus on aligning purpose with business strategy. She completed her undergraduate degree at Macquarie University and her Master of Arts in Psychology at the University of Sydney. Diana is passionate about creating ecosystems where technology, philanthropy, and purpose converge to deliver meaningful and lasting change.
Katherine Raskob
CEO Fundraising Institute Australia
Katherine is the chief executive officer of Fundraising Institute Australia, the largest representative body for the $10.5 billion charitable fundraising sector. Katherine has served as a board director for several arts organisations and is currently a director of Girl Guides Australia. She grew up in Minnesota, USA, where she completed her undergraduate degree as well as a Master’s in International Business Management.
Sam Gianniotis
Chief Risk Officer of PayPal Australia
Sam is the Chief Risk Officer of PayPal Australia since August 2023. Before Joining PayPal, Sam held the position of Vice President for Client and Consumer Protection for Visa Europe leading ecosystem risk. Sam is a senior Risk professional with over 25 years’ of local and international experience covering Insurance, Banking, Wealth Management and Payments. Sam has reported to Boards and has been the point of contact for regulators across Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, the United Kingdom and European markets for over 20 years. He holds a Master of Statistics degree with a distinction average from the University of NSW. Sam has also completed the Australian Ins titute of Company Directors course.
Kara Hamilton
Director, Controller PayPal Australia
Kara is the Financial Controller for PayPal Australia and PayPal Credit. She has been with PayPal for over 11 years and has over 20 years’ experience in Financial Control roles. She has the overall accountability for statutory and regulatory reporting and for taxation compliance for PayPal’s Australian companies. Prior to PayPal Kara was the financial controller for AllianceBernstein, a global funds management company. Kara also has retail banking experience starting her career at Macquarie Bank in their retail services division. Kara holds the designation of Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting/Finance) from Charles Sturt University.
Our relationship
with PayPal
Harnessing PayPal’s platform for good
PayPal Giving Fund (ABN 65 106 950 945) is a Public Ancillary Fund, charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and deductible gift recipient.
PayPal Giving Fund Australia receives grant funding in support of its charitable mission from PayPal Charitable Giving Fund (“PPGF US”), a public charity in the U.S., which also appoints our board members. We use this funding to cover our operating costs including the employment costs of PayPal staff in Australia who are formally seconded from PayPal Australia to carry out our work. In reimbursing PayPal Australia for these costs, we pay market rate remuneration for the role, consisting of a competitive base salary and reasonable benefits. PayPal, Inc., a listed US company, provides grant funding to PPGF US in support of its charitable mission, and appoints its board members.