This Month
Worried the kids will blow it all? This might help
Structured philanthropy, even at modest levels, can foster purpose, build family cohesion, and create real community outcomes.
Judith Neilson stepping up as Trump steps out
Ahead of a trip to Africa next week, one of the country’s biggest philanthropists has decided to allocate more funds to Africa.
‘Australia seems incredibly sane compared to almost any place in the world’
Once known as the “homeless billionaire”, Nicolas Berggruen has been living in Sydney where he’s contemplating Australia’s position in a shifting world order.
April
Philanthropy 50: Which Australians gave away the most?
The transfer of wealth to the next generation, plus some notable relationship break-ups, is putting more women in charge of giving.
‘Quite emotional’: Rich Lister sees parents’ art legacy brought to life
The new Eva and Marc Besen Centre, says son Daniel, completes the circle on what his mum and dad wanted to achieve at their TarraWarra Museum.
Robyn Denholm’s ‘simply absurd’ family office legal fight
For someone who has made her career advising tech and telco companies, the Tesla chair is failing at trademark claims.
Billionaire Gretel Packer has plans for this historic Kings Cross site
She paid $26 million for the art deco Metro-Minerva Theatre last year, but had been schtum on plans for the beloved venue. Until now.
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.