This Month
Biggest gift completes ‘unfinished business’ at National Gallery
The Canberra institution finally has a work by one of the 20th century’s most influential painters, Edvard Munch of The Scream fame, thanks to philanthropist Geoff Ainsworth.
March
How this top barrister became a ‘Medici’ of classical music
Senior counsel Richard Cobden has now funded three works for Sydney’s Omega Ensemble. He wants you to know that commissioning is not as hard as you might think.
Why John and Myriam Wylie are funding a new policy think tank
The investment banker and his wife have enlisted high-profile directors from all over the country to advise the new Policy Institute of Australia.
Impact investor Good Return, backed by Spotless scion, preps new fund
The new fund’s minimum investment size is $20,000 and proceeds would be used to guarantee and de-risk loans from lenders to female-led businesses.
Australia’s largest private fashion collection goes up for sale
A piece of this historic wardrobe could be yours, with prices starting from $25.
Who really pays the price for arts philanthropy?
In the increasingly troubled relationship between donors and artists, it is becoming difficult to figure out which hand is feeding and which is being bitten.
Festival politicking shows why donors are walking away from the arts
The politicisation of philanthropy has led to artists and organisers engaging in their own ideological frolics using other people’s money.
February
James Packer’s casino charity deals in the elite
Attendees at the lunch included Albo, Dutton, Sarah Murdoch and Scott Farquhar, as Sydney’s movers and shakers celebrated some good old corporate philanthropy.
Tech heavyweights back ‘tenacious’ unlikely social entrepreneur
Airtree Ventures, Canva and OIF are among supporters of Forever Projects, a charity started by Wollongong maths teacher Mark Dombkins that is running like a start-up.
From Chengdu to Woolloomooloo for this arts boss
The new director of Artspace, a centre for contemporary art in Sydney, is a rare executive in the local scene who has curated in mainland China.
AirTrunk’s Khuda donates record $100m to boost women in STEM
AirTrunk founder Robin Khuda has donated an historic $100 million to the University of Sydney to fund a 20-year effort to get more girls into tech careers.
January
Twiggy and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo is sitting on billions
If charities are meant to spend their donations, why is Minderoo sitting on such a big pile of cash?
Goyder could break the shackles by returning government handouts
Readers’ letters on business welfare dependence, China’s claims to Taiwan, the gift of giving, property prices, Arctic mining, and Donald Trump.
What if charity shouldn’t be optimised?
The restoration of Notre Dame is viewed differently by those who see value in funding beautiful things and others who believe helping people should be the priority.
I have no spouse or kids. This is what my will looks like
Kerrie Claffey has mapped out plans to leave money to charities close to her heart.
December 2024
The year’s biggest gift is $1.8b, and it’s not from Buffett
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings tops the list of the 12 biggest gifts of 2024, thanks to a $US1.1 billion donation to his education foundation.
Giving booms as donors maximise tax benefits
Joanna Ryan and her husband have established a sub-fund with an initial donation of $1 million.
November 2024
Australia’s wealthiest women join forces to supercharge philanthropy
Women from Australia’s biggest philanthropic donors met in Canberra on Thursday for She Gives’ first roundtable, including Fiona Geminder and the Fox family.
This family ‘squeezed the lemon’ for huge Melbourne arts donation
They volunteered as Lifeline counsellors when they had no cash, now this elderly couple is paying for the State Theatre to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Lonely Planet founders not content with giving away half their wealth
Tony and Maureen Wheeler are doubling down on their commitment to Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre with a big commitment to match donations.