Can you spare a dine? How the co-chairs of Australia’s most exclusive charity gala get $10 million donations

Linda and Josh Penn, the dynamic mother and son co-chair duo of The Gold Dinner on the new face of philanthropy and what’s next for the glamorous event.

Josh and Linda Penn have co-chaired the Gold Dinner committee since 2021 and raised the bar on philanthropy.

L inda Penn, co-owner and managing director of the Lowes fashion chain and co-chair, along with her son, Joshua, of Australia’s most exclusive and glamorous charity event, says Australia has changed its ­attitude toward philanthropy.

Last year the event – attended by Australia’s who’s who and many a rich lister – raised $33.4m for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation in a single night. This year, the dynamic Penns are aiming for $80m or more.

The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network includes two children’s hospitals (Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead), specialised care services (Bear Cottage and the Newborn and pediatric Emergency Transport Service), and Kids ­Research.

“I think organisations, corporations, family foundations feel that it’s like a social responsibility now to be philanthropic, particularly in times that are a little bit uncertain – and now people feel they have more of a social responsibility, more so than perhaps what they had previously,” says Linda, who is speaking to The Australian via Zoom from London where she’s just met her new grandchild.

“I feel like with Gold Dinner in what we’ve been able to achieve, it’s now sort of acceptable – or it’s actually, in Australia at least, it’s quite commonplace – now to give seven figures plus,” adds Josh.

Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Kristina Keneally and co-chair of the Gold Dinner Josh Penn. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian

“I know when Mum and I took over as co-chairs, the largest donation previously was $200,000. Now we’re seeing donations of $10m and $5m every year. To see that change, it’s almost made it really a great thing to be able to give such substantial amounts at events.”

This kind of donation has necessarily engendered a different approach to fundraising. Prior to the night, the duo spend time in conversations with donors who want to give such amounts.

“It is very personal, particularly when you get to that amount. And I think more than ever, people want transparency into where their money is going to go, and they’re also quite particular as to where their money should go,” says Linda. “On the night we could say we’re raising for mental health, or we’re raising for a particular cause and people will give, but the really big donors, they want to give to cancer or they want to give to a building and they want to know where the money is actually going, not into a pot.”

A consequence of this level of philanthropy also means the duo spend time with other donors who may feel their donation is less consequential in comparison.

“It is a fine line that Josh and I have to tread and be careful that we don’t put smaller donors off ­because a lot of smaller donors surpass the big one, you know what I mean?”

Others, the pair note, have pledged significant amounts but want to pay it over a period of time.

The event’s purpose in raising money for the SCHF – this year to be held in a grand marquee against a backdrop of Vivid Sydney in the Royal Botanic Garden on Wednesday, June 11 – is one that resonates with both Linda and Josh on a personal level. Indeed, as Linda points out, it resonates with everybody.

“I mean, you’re either a mother, father, aunty, uncle, niece, nephew, grandparent, everybody, unfortunately, has been touched by it and the work that they do,” she says.

Gold Dinner global ambassador Miranda Kerr.

It’s a similar story for supermodel and Kora Organics founder Miranda Kerr, wife of Snapchat mogul Evan Spiegel, who this year was appointed as the first global ambassador for Gold Dinner back in March.

“I was born six weeks premature and spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit, so I understand first-hand how vital world-class pediatric care is,” she says. “Now, as a mother of four, that understanding has only deepened. Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, happy, and supported. The incredible work SCHF does helps make that possible for so many families.”

The involvement of Kerr, and plans to expand the fundraising concept to be a global one that speaks to Australians around the world, is important to Josh.

“It’s tapping into those different audiences where Australians are and the SCHF, even though it is a Sydney-based charity, a lot of the work that it does is across the country, a lot of shared research and shared resources. So having a Gold Dinner in Perth and doing something in LA or London, whatever it is, it’s really tapping into those different markets to make sure that all kids across Australia get the best possible care,” he says.

Other fundraising events for the SCHF include real estate agent Monika Tu’s Lunar New Year dinner, and Linda Penn has opened up her own home for donor dinners too. Earlier this month, the SCHF’s Silver Party, held at hospitality mogul Justin Hemmes’ Vaucluse home, returned after a three-year hiatus, raising a record $3.7m.

“Where would we be without the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and the tireless work of its committee members,” says Hemmes.

“I’m in awe of their passion and energy, resulting in the raising of literally millions of dollars, all of which is funnelled to the brilliant Randwick and Westmead hospitals to support their vital work in helping countless children.

“My family has experienced first-hand the wonderful work and exceptional care the Sydney Children’s Hospital provides. We are all truly fortunate to have this level of care and facilities of this calibre available for our children.”

SCHF chief executive Kristina Keneally says the impact of philanthropic events such as the Gold Dinner cannot be overstated.

“From preventing illness before it takes hold, to delivering world-class treatment at the most critical moments … Gold Dinner fuels every part of that journey,” Keneally says.

She says personalised medicine, predictive data and lifesaving technologies are all within reach: “Philanthropy is what turns that potential into reality.”

The Gold Dinner will be held in Sydney on Wednesday, June 11. Go to schf.org.au