Australia's Most Generous Philanthropists | Top Donors List

Australian Philanthropy $1m+ Donors

In 2011, FR&C put together a list of over 100 Australian donors (and some non-Australian donors to Australian causes) who have given over $1m. We’ve continued to updated the list in the subsequent years – now with well over 400 individuals and families listed.

We’ve only included people and families whose philanthropy has been mentioned in the public domain – either with a firm figure or with an estimate (we’ve put firm dollars ahead of estimates, even where it’s likely that the estimated figures are under-reported).

We’ve provided links to the sources we’ve used for each gift. We’ve drawn on previous published lists and added a lot of information from our Giftsearch database and our own research. We continue to revise the list over time – if you have a suggestion for an update, email us.

Gifts added in the April 2026 update are in red.

These and over 1.2m more donations to Australian causes can be found in our subscription Giftsearch database.

Giving over $1bn

The late Stan Perron – gifted the bulk of his $4bn fortune to his Foundation on his death in 2018. The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation gave $221.1m to Perth Children’s Hospital to establish the Rare Care Comprehensive Centre (RCCC) (2025).
The late Paul Ramsay – bequeathed the bulk of his $3.3 billion fortune to the Paul Ramsay Foundation in 2014, and the foundation headed the inaugural AFR Philanthropy 50 in 2017. Giving includes $14.7m to the Black Dog Institute (2015), $10m to Beacon Foundation for education in Tasmania, $10m to Clontarf Foundation to support young Aboriginal men, and $8.3m to Teach for Australia, all in 2016. In 2017 it announced a number of gifts including a reported $30m per annum to support the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, $24.5m to the Murdoch Children's Research Institute for their Generation V longitudinal study, $13m to Telethon Kids Institute for their ORIGINS project Giving in 2018 included giving to SANE Australia, $6.3m to Monash, $11.33m to the Burnet Institute, and $16.4m to the University of Newcastle, plus a reported commitment of $50m+ over eight years from the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation to the University of Wollongong. 2020 giving includes $2.4m to undisclosed recipients for women’s shelters across Australia, $3.4m to the University of Queensland towards UQ’s COVID-19 vaccine, $2M to the Peter Doherty Institute, and $2m to Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies (APPRISE), $5.5m to Victoria University towards a research program aimed at improving the education opportunities and health of children and young people (2022), $3m to UNSW to support the Culturally Nourishing Schooling project (2022), just under $10m to the Aurora Education Foundation to support the RISE program (2022), $5.5m to Griffith University to support a community research program (2022), $5m to Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition to support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament (2023).

Giving pledge members

Andrew and Nicola Forrest – joined The Giving Pledge in 2013, pledging to give away half their wealth, making them the first Australians to pledge giving billions of dollars. Their Minderoo Foundation has now received over $6.5bn in total with a $5bn donation in 2023. Giving to date includes c. $80m in company shares to Australian Children’s Trust (2007), $30m to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (2024), $2m to the launch of the Australian Employment Covenant/Generation One initiative on indigenous employment, and a further $50m in shares to various charities in 2011 plus a further $5m in shares to Murdoch University and four WA performing arts organisations, and a $3m cash donation to complete the Art Gallery of WA's $25m campaign. Donations in 2013 included $1m to the Salvation Army, $1m to Telethon, and $65m to higher education in Western Australia, and in 2014, $1m to the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts. In 2017, the Forrests announced a $400m pledge to six priority areas - cancer, modern slavery, creating parity, early childhood, research, and communities. They made a $10m pledge to the Australian Brain Cancer Mission, gave $3m to Telethon, and made a $65m gift to UWA to close the University’s $400m campaign. The Forrests’ Minderoo Foundation announced a $100m pledge to the Minderoo Ocean Research (MOR) initiative in 2018. Giving in 2019 included $5m to the Children's Cancer Institute. In 2021 announced $8.1m to support a cervical cancer elimination program in the Western Pacific.
Len Ainsworth – joined the Giving Pledge in 2017, promising to give away half his wealth. Giving includes $50m to the University of New South Wales to establish the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (2025), $5m to Sydney Children's Hospital (2013), $1.25m to Ainsworth Chair of Technology and Innovation at the University of Sydney (2014), ‘substantial donation’ (media reports suggest c. $10m) to School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering UNSW (2014), $1m to Sydney Children’s Hospital (2014), $5m to St Vincent’s Private Hospital (2015), $5m to Children’s Medical Research Institute (2016), $2m to University of Sydney (2016). With Margarete (Gretel) Ainsworth, $4m to State Library of NSW (2018), $10m to Western Sydney University (2018).
Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht – joined The Giving Pledge in 2021. They have stated that they intend to give away all of their money to make the world a better place.
Cameron Adams and Lisa Miller – joined The Giving Pledge in 2025, pledged to give “most” of their fortune away through their nature-focused investment venture the Wedgetail Foundation, of which Miller is founder and CEO.

Known giving and pledges over $100m

Estate of William Buckland – the William Buckland Foundation has distributed over $100m since its establishment in 1964 and distributes around $6.5m annually.
Geoffrey Cumming - $250m to the University of Melbourne to establish the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics at the University of Melbourne (2022)
Fairfax family – over $155m in total giving via Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation since 1962, including $8.7m distributed in the year to June 2017.. Giving by Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax via the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation includes $1m+ to National Portrait Gallery, $1m+ to Queensland Library Foundation, $1.5m to State Library of NSW (2014) and $2m to fund a new children's gallery and creative learning centre at the NGV in 2016. Tim Fairfax Family Foundation distributed $4.1m in the year to June 2017. Giving by John B Fairfax AO includes $1m to the State Library of NSW (2017) and $2m to The Nature Conservancy (2018) and $1m to the Walkley Foundation in 2021 with Libby Fairfax via the Jibb Foundation.
Chuck Feeney – US$368m in Australian giving via Atlantic Philanthropies. Atlantic completed its Australian giving in 2016 with a US$50m grant to establish the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity, led by the University of Melbourne.
Lindsay Fox – $1m to Anzac Centenary Public Fund (2014). In 2022, Paula and Lindsay Fox pledged $100m to the National Gallery of Victoria towards the construction of NGS Contemporary, in 2024 provided funding to Alfred Health to establish the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre at the Alfred (amount unknown).
John and Jill Kinghorn – Established Kinghorn Foundation in 2005 with $300 million. Giving includes $25m to Garvan Institute for the Kinghorn Cancer Centre (2009), also funded the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics at Garvan. Other giving includes $2.5m to Primary Ethics (2013), $10m to support Fulbright Future Scholarships (2018). Perpetual reports that total distributions are now over $100m, and the AFR estimated giving at $17.9m for 2017.
Khuda Family Foundation / Robin Khuda and Melea Walker-Khuda - $100m to the University of Sydney to support women entering the STEM fields (2025)
Lowy Family – $10m to UNSW for the Lowy Cancer Centre (2007), c. $15m to sport and Jewish causes in 2005, $30m to create Lowy Institute for International Policy (2003). In 2013 Frank Lowy said that he and his family had given away $350m over the previous 10 years. Lowy Foundation giving in 2015 included $8m to Lowy Medical Research Institute, $4m to Lowy Institute for International Policy, $2m to Temora Aviation Museum, and $1m to Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation. In 2017, the Lowys gave $5m+ to the Art Gallery of NSW’s Sydney Modern project.
Myer Family – Over $200m in cumulative giving, $12m+ in total giving in 2014, via the Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund, not counting additional giving by Myer family members via their own foundations and PAFs. Recent giving includes a $10m gift from the Myer Foundation, the Ian Potter Foundation, and Martyn and Louise Myer to the University of Melbourne (2013).
Judith Neilson – $10m to UNSW Architecture (2015), $41m for Phoenix (performance space, gallery, and sculpture garden) (2015). $6m to UNSW for a Chair in Contemporary Art (2017), $100m to create the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas (2018) and $20m to establish NGV Contemporary (2020).
Kerr Neilson (via Neilson Foundation, jointly with Judith Neilson to 2015) – $30m to Neilson Foundation, funds White Rabbit gallery (2008), $1.5m for scholarships (2013), $1m to Sir David Martin Foundation (2014, 2015), $1.42m to Biennale of Sydney (2015). $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW for Sydney Modern project (2017), $3m to Bell Shakespeare (2021), $5m to the Australian Chamber Orchestra (2018), $1m to Carriageworks (2021). In 2022 gave $5m to the Griffin Theatre for the redevelopment of the SBW Stables Theatre in Kings Cross, $5m to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Parramatta) (2026). Total distributions by Neilson Foundation to date are over $100m.
Packer family (Gretel and James Packer) – The Packer Family Foundation and Crown Resorts Foundation pledged $200m over ten years for the National Philanthropic Foundation (2014) to fund projects in the arts and community (particularly indigenous education). $60m previously pledged to the arts in 2013 falls within this larger pledge. The Packer Family Foundation with the Crown Resorts Foundation pledged multi-million $ support to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney for the organ donation program (2015). Additional giving by James Packer includes $2m to Generation One, $500k in personal giving to Telethon (2013) (plus $2m via Crown Perth in 2013, $2.5m in 2014, $2.5m in 2017); $1m to Anzac Centenary Public Fund (2014), ), and $1m to the NSW Rural Fire Service in 2019. Gretel Packer’s personal giving includes $5m+ to the Sydney Modern project at the Art Gallery of NSW (2017). Ros Packer’s giving to the arts includes $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia. The late Kerry Packer's known giving included $30 million to cancer research, $10 million to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and $2.5 million to the NSW Ambulance Service. In 2023, James Packer with the Packer Family Foundation gave $7m to UNSW to establish the James Packer Chair in Mood Disorders.
The Ian Potter Foundation – Almost $300m in total giving since 1964, including $15m to the National Gallery of Victoria (2000), $8m to the Australian Ballet (2010), $5m to National Gallery of Victoria (2011-12), $15m to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation (2012), $4m to the Australian Ballet (2013), $10m to fund the Ian Potter Concert Hall at Monash University (2013), $1.2m to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (2013), $5m+ to National Gallery of Victoria (2013), $1.5 to Centennial Parklands Foundation, $5m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2014), $7.8m to Questacon (2014), $10m to the State Library of Victoria (2015), $5m to Queensland Ballet (2015), $3m to ClimateWorks (2016), $1m to Greening Australia (2016), $5m to the University of Sydney (2016) and $2m to the Australian National University (2016), as well as several other multi-million dollar gifts in 2016. Lady Primrose Potter has also given $1m+ to the National Gallery of Victoria and $1m to the Australian Ballet (2022). Announcements in 2017 included $5m towards the University of Tasmania's Creative Industry and Performing Arts (CIPA) project, $4m towards the Ian Potter Southbank Centre for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, and multi-million dollar grants to HammondCare, Clontarf Foundation, Guide Dogs Victoria, ANU, Hope Street Youth and Family Services, Seed Foundation, the Australian Ballet, Homes4Homes, and Griffith University. Giving in 2019 included $1.77m to Karrkad Kanjdji Trust to fund Indigenous Rangers, $2.5m to Wintringham Housing for elderly homelessness, $2.23m to World Vision Australia for Indigenous early childhood education, and $2.5m to The Nature Conservancy.
Ted Powell via the Ragdoll Foundation – $100m to Murdoch University to rebuild its veterinary school and expand student capacity (2025).
Talbot Family – Bequest from Ken Talbot to Talbot Family Foundation of c. $300m (2010).
Graham and Louise Tuckwell – $50m to ANU for a scholarship fund (2013), with additional funds bringing the donation to over $100m (2016).
Peter and Lyndy Whyte – c. $200m to their Peter & Lyndy White Foundation. Giving includes $1.8m to WAYSS (2013), $7.5m to Wintringham Aged Care (2014), total giving of $9.2m in 2018.

Known giving and pledges over $50m

Clive Berghofer – $50.1m to the Queensland Institute for Medical Research for expansion of QIMR's activities (2013), $3m to fund the Brisbane Broncos’ Clive Berghofer Centre (2017). In 2022 gave $10m to Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland to support infrastructure investment for service delivery in rural and remote QLD.
Besen Family – $1m to the Collingwood Arts Precinct in 2016. Recent giving includes $1m to National Council of Jewish Women of Australia and $1m to bionic eye research at Monash (both 2014). Besen Family Foundation distributed $2.7m in 2018 and holds $50m+ in assets. In 2022 gave $6m to the Tarrawarra Museum of Art to establish the Marc and Eva Besen Education Centre.
Quentin and Kylie Birt, $57m to Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks to support mentoring for young people and a pathway for talented athletes to play professionally in the Northern Territory and South Australian football leagues.
Gates Foundation – over $50m in Australian giving, including $12.4m to UNSW (2008), $9.7m to Murdoch University (2004), $8.7m to George Institute (2007), $5m to Australian International Health Institute (2004), $4.4m to QUT (2009), $2.9m to QUT (2008), $2.9m to Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (2007), $2m to University of Queensland (2008), $2m to ANU (2013), $4m to University of Queensland (2013), $18m to World Vision Australia (2015).
Miller Family – Established by Noel Miller, the Miller Foundation was one of the founding donors of MCRI. It continues to be a major donor, distributing over $7m each year in 2016 and 2017.
Noel and Carmel O’Brien – the Noel and Carmel O’Brien Family Foundation had assets of $91m in 2018, and distributed just under $4m, primarily overseas.
Greg and Kay Poche – $40m to melanoma research (2005) and $20m to indigenous health at Sydney and Flinders Universities (2008, 2009). Further $10m to indigenous health centre at UWA (2013), $10m to indigenous health centre at University of Melbourne and $10m to indigenous health centre at the University of Queensland (both in 2014). $2m to the Mater Foundation for the development of a Special Care Nursery (2014), $5m to Manly Hospital to establish a young adult hospice (2019)
Isaac Wakil and the late Susan Wakil – $10.8m for nursing scholarships and $35m for Health Precinct, both at University of Sydney (2015, 2016). $1.5m to Opera Australia (2015). $20m to the Art Gallery of NSW capital campaign for the Sydney Modern extension (2016), followed by an additional $4m commitment. In 2020, gave $1m to the University of Sydney to fund the salary of the Head of School and Dean at the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, and in 2021 gave $1m to the National Library of Australia to help digitize part of the NLA’s performing arts collection. In 2022 gave $20m to the University of Sydney to establish the Isaac Wakil Biomedical Building.
Lang Walker AO – $20m to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in 2021, $26m to Western Sydney University in 2019 (via Lang Walker Family Foundation), $3.9m to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in 2020, $1m to Anzac Centenary Public Fund (2014), $1m to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (2015) (with Susan Walker) major donors to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).

Known giving and pledges over $10m

Margarete (Gretel) Ainsworth – $10m to Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), towards the Margarete Ainsworth Building, new home for the organisation (2013). See also joint gifts with Len Ainsworth to State Library of NSW and WSU in 2018.
The Ainsworth family (Geoff Ainsworth, Jo Featherstone, Len Ainsworth, Mark Ainsworth, Paul Ainsworth and Valerie Ainsworth) $10m to AGNSW’s Sydney Modern project. Paul and Valerie Ainsworth also gave $2m to Westmead Millennium Institute (2007).
Anonymous donation of $10m to Estia Foundation of Australia (2013).
Anonymous US-based donor – $19.8m gift in kind of a Picasso painting to University of Sydney (2011).
Anonymous - $30m to LaTrobe University (2018).
Neil Balnaves – $27m to Balnaves Foundation, Foundation distributes over $2m a year. Gifts include $1.5m to Bond University (2010), $1m in artworks to Mosman Art Gallery (2010), $1.4m to indigenous scholarships at UNSW, $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW, $2.5m to Menzies School of Health Research's Hearing for Learning initiative (2018).
Deborah Barlow and family – Barlow Foundation distributed over $1m in 2018, PAF assets were $20m+.
Edmund and Belinda Bateman – gift of shares to a charitable trust focused on respite care (2013). Amount given to charitable purposes unknown - total shares given to family and charity in the transaction were worth over $85m.
The late Emma Elwin à Beckett – $15m to the University of Sydney for cancer research, particularly bowel cancer (2013).
Jack Bendat and (now late) Eleanor Bendat (Bendat Family Foundation) – $5m to Comprehensive Cancer Centre WA in 2005, $2m to St John of God for homeless children in 2004. $1.6m to the West Australian Ballet (2019) - establishing gift of the West Australian Ballet Endowment, with the interest to provide funds for a Young Artist Scholarship in perpetuity.
Tony and Carol Berg – substantial giving to their Berg Family Foundation, whose assets are now over $40m. Giving includes $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-10) and (2013-14), $1m to Kirby Institute, UNSW (2014).
Mr Marcus Blackmore AM and Mrs Caroline Furlong – $10m to establish a National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University (2018). Blackmores Ltd and the Blackmores Foundation each gave $5m towards scholarships at National Institute for Complementary Medicine (NICM) at Western Sydney University in 2017, $6.3m to Griffith University to establish a business chair (2024).
Andrew Brice – $18m to University of Queensland (with Graeme Wood, 2010).
Michael Buxton – $26m including works worth $10m to fund a contemporary art museum at the University of Melbourne (2014).
Max Carter – donations to Art Gallery of South Australia totalling c $10m+ including works worth $2.3m in 2006 and a $3.5m painting in 2013.
Dr Chau Chak Wing – $25m to UTS business school (2010), $15m to University of Sydney for the Chau Chak Wing Museum (2015).
Christopher Chen – $10.5m to University of Queensland to fund a chair in reproductive medicine February 2013.
Andrew Clifford and family via JAAM Foundation – giving includes $1m to Medecins sans Frontieres,and $1m to Australian Wildlife Conservancy annually since 2014. In 2018, offered to match up to $1m in donations by others to Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Robert Cripps, Thomas Cripps, and family - US$230m in total giving via the Cripps Foundation to 2015. Australian giving includes $5m to Korowa Anglican Girls School, $6.9m to the University of Melbourne, $3.68m to Trinity College, Melbourne, $1.6m to St John's College, University of Queensland, and $5.6m to Caulfield Grammar School.
Brian Davis – the Brian M Davis Foundation distributed $1.2m in 2018, and has assets of c. $24m.
Allan English – $28m in shares to English Family Foundation (PAF) (2011), distributed $800k in 2013.
The late James O Fairfax AC – giving to the arts, medicine, and education, including major gifts of artworks to the Art Gallery of NSW, NGA and NGV (including total giving of $5m+ to AGNSW), estimated $3m in annual giving for 2005, and $2m+ to NGA in 2013-14. Donated his home, Retford Park, with an estimated value of $20m, to the National Trust (2016). Estate donated $1.2m plus artworks to the National Gallery of Australia in 2018.
Pamela Galli – $15m to fund two Chairs at the University of Melbourne and Peter Mac (2012 to 2014), $5m to fund the Lorenzo and Pamela Galli Chair in Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (2017).
John Gandel and Pauline Gandel via Gandel Philanthropy – $7m to National Gallery of Australia (2010) , $1m to Victorian Bushfire relief (2009), $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria, $1m to Museums Victoria for the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery (2015), $1m to Monash University (2015), $1m to Monash University, $1.25m to Orygen, $1.5m to National Museum of Australia, $2m to NGV (2018) and $2m to State Library of Victoria (2019), $1m to bush fire relief (various recipients).
Paul Gobits – $11m to the University of Sywww.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/12/02/a-legacy-of-love--landmark-gift-to-defeat-pancreatic-cancer--.htmldney to establish the Paul and Katherine Gobits (Koh) Chair of Pancreatic Cancer Research (2025).
Claire and Charles Gibbon, Gibbon Foundation – $16.333m to the Australian National University to support the Kambri Scholars Program for Indigenous leaders (2025).
Nora Goodridge – the Goodridge Foundation distributed $2.7m in 2018 and has assets of $18m. Previous substantial giving includes Jewish House, King David School.
John Grill – $20m to University of Sydney to fund the John Grill Centre for Project Leadership (2012). Major donor (with Rosie Williams, via Serpentine Foundation) to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018), $1.5m to UNSW to support Mindgardens Research Fund (2022).
Geoffrey Handbury – donations to RMIT exceed $2m, $3m to MCRI in late 1990s, funded Sheila Handbury Chair in Maternal Fetal Medicine (2011), $2m for Chair in Adolescent Health at Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (2015) estimated total of $2.5m in 2005.
Geoff Harris – purchased properties for the Reach Foundation ($2.3 million, 2001) and social enterprise STREAT ($2.5 million, 2013), $4m (with son Brad Harris) to Launch Housing for affordable housing in Melbourne (2017), $10m to Hawthorn FC (2018).
Sir Michael Hintze – an estimated $35 million in total giving, including a Chair in International Security at the University of Sydney, Dorothy & Michael Hintze sculpture gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum, and refurbishment of the Vatican's Pauline Chapel. Gave $1m to Sydney University (2013) and $1m to UNSW (2013). Recent giving includes $5m to the Australian Museum (2020)
Hooper Shaw Foundation and Simon Marais Foundation – gave a combined gift of $28.7m to the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (2026). Hooper Shaw supporting early-career researchers’ long-term engagement with mathematics, the expansion of global collaboration and an artist-in-residence program. The Simon Marais gift will ensure we become a global centre for mathematicians, including through international recruitment, strategic investment and institutional expansion.
Martin and Loreto Hosking via Three Springs Foundation - $12m to Monash University to establish the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (2021), $10m to the University of Melbourne to establish a Contemplative Studies Centre as well as a further $3m+ to the University of Melbourne to support equine lameness prevention (2021).
Sean Howard – $10m to Save Sight Institute at the University of Sydney (2013)
H.S Chau Foundation (Hong Kong) - $30m to UNSW (2025) to establish new residential college dedicated to women studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
Bob Ingham – $15m in total giving to the Ingham Institute.
Irwin family – estimated $10m to conservation projects (2010), $3.1m in 2013.
John Kaldor – $35m gift in kind to Art Gallery of NSW (2008).
Kantor family - $10m to Climate Institute of Australia from Eve Kantor and Mark Wootton (2005), and an estimated $42m in total giving in the 12 years to 2009. $2m to Melbourne Recital Centre (2007) and $1m to Plan Australia from Milan and Anne Kantor (2013). $2m founding gift to Environment Victoria’s Green Future Fund (2011) and $3.25m to Social Traders (2012), both via the Dara Foundation.
Steve Killelea – donor to overseas aid projects; established The Charitable Foundation with about $45 million in 2000, donated $5m to create the Institute for Economics and Peace (2009).
Barry and Joy Lambert – $33.7m for medical cannibanoid research at the University of Sydney (2015), and $4.1m to Thomas Jefferson University in the USA for the same issue.
Paul Little and Jane Hansen - $10m to history and the humanities at the University of Melbourne (2015), $1m to Melbourne Theatre Company (2016), $3.5m to the State Library of Victoria (2017) and $30m to the University of Melbourne via the Hansen Little Foundation (2018).
Andrew and Paula Liveris - $13.5m to the University of Queensland for the Liveris Academy and the Andrew N Liveris Building (2018). They also gave $1m to St Vincent’s Curran Foundation to support the Paula Liveris Innovation Hub (2024).
Corbett and Yueji Lyon - $14.5m for expansion of their Lyon Housemuseum (2019).
Jack Ma via the Jack Ma Foundation - US$20m to The University of Newcastle for the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program (2017). $3.2m to the Peter Doherty Institute towards accelerating the development of a coronavirus vaccine (2020).
John and Sue McKinnon – the McKinnon Family Foundation distributed $1.12m in 2018, and had $22m+ in assets.
Harold Mitchell – giving via Harold Mitchell Foundation including $12.5m to Victoria University (2013) and over $7m in other giving including $500k to Musée du Quai Branly, Paris (2006), $2m to ANU (2013), $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2013-14) and $5m to the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (2018).
Simon and Catriona Mordant – $15m to MCA (2010), $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018). Simon Mordant’s Luminis Partners donated $1m to UNSW (2016).
Rupert Murdoch – $10m to Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (2011), $1m to Anzac Centenary Public Fund (2014).
Allan and Maria Myers– $10m to University of Melbourne (2013), $6m to National Gallery of Victoria (2008) and $5m+ (2013-14), $1m+ to Florey Neuroscience Institutes and $3m with John Higgins in 1999 to fund the Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies at the University of Melbourne. $3m to State Library of Victoria, plus $3.5m together with Kimberley Foundation Australia and Minderoo Foundation for a Chair in Archaeological Science at the University of Melbourne (both 2017).
Sarkis Nassif / Holdmark Property Group – $10m to Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Parramatta), naming rights to one of five galleries (2026).
Sunny Ngai and family - $38m to local and overseas causes via their company ABC Tissue.
PMF Foundation – $10m to Cabrini Health and Monash University to establish a genomic testing program providing personalised cancer treatment (2024).
Pratt Family – previously gave an estimated $12m per annum via Pratt Foundation, including $2.5m to Centre for Women's Mental Health (2006-10), $1m+ in cumulative giving to Monash University and to the Victorian Arts Centre Trust. $1m to the Doherty Institute for COVID-19 clinical trials, $1m to Soldier On (2021). Jeanne Pratt donated $1m to Monash University’s Centre for Theatre and Performance (2016). The Pratt Foundation is now chaired by Heloise Waislitz. In 2017, Anthony Pratt pledged to give away $1 billion during his lifetime and in 2023 gave $1m to Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition in support of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The late Bruce and Jenny Pryor - $10m to ANU, $12m to Wesley College and the hockey club, University of Sydney (2019).
Rob Purves and Sandy Purves – $10m to PAF supporting Purves Environmental Fund (2003), with a further $5m added more recently. $5m (with Jan Cameron and Graeme Wood) to Tasmanian Land Conservancy (2010), family also give via Raymond E Purves Foundation.
Diana Ramsay and the late James Ramsay – $10m+ total to Art Gallery of South Australia, $510k to Australian String Quartet (2013).
Reid Family – The John T Reid Charitable Trusts gave $2.8m in 2014; the Reid Family also give via the Thyne Reid Foundation. John B Reid’s giving includes $1m+ to State Library of Queensland.
Gina Rinehart – Two named floors at Bendat Comprehensive Cancer Centre (giving included a $2m gift in 2009-10) and a range of other giving through two foundations. $1m to Anzac Centenary Public Fund and $10m to Swimming Australia via Georgina Hope Foundation (2014). Gave $200m to the Hancock Family Medical Foundation in 2015. $5m from Hancock Prospecting and the Georgina Hope Foundation to St Vincent's Private Hospital Sydney in 2017.
Salteri Family – the late Carlo Salteri established the Heart Research Institute Salteri Family Research Endowment Fund with an initial gift of $1 million (1998), and subsequent gifts of $200K. Sandra and Paul Salteri are Patrons of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and have given over $8m in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children via their CAGES Foundation. Tenix have supported a Careflight helicopter and give via the Tenix Foundation.
Ralph Sarich – $1m to Salvation Army (2004), $20m to the neurosciences wing of the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre in Nedlands (2008).
Sarks Macular Degeneration Research Foundation – $10.8m to UNSW to establish the Shirley and John Sarks Chair in Age-related Macular Degeneration (2026).
Win Schubert – major arts philanthropist. $35m bequest to Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) to develop and maintain a permanent collection of artworks created in or after 1880, for the advancement of art education in Australia (2020); reported giving of $4.5m in 2011-12
Smorgon Family – $15m to National Gallery of Victoria (2008), multi-million dollar donation to Jewish Care’s Aged Care Facility (Gary Smorgon Centre) from the Jack and Robert Smorgon Foundation (2010), $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-10, 2013, and 2014), $1m+ to the Arts Centre.
Terry and George Snow –Terry Snow gave $8m to Canberra Grammar School for an "Asian Century" studies centre in 2013 and a further $20m in 2019 for new building works. Recent giving includes $2m from the Snow Foundation to Calvary Healthcare (2018). The Foundation expects to have a $100m corpus by 2020. The Snow Family also established the Snow Medical Research Foundation, which gave $5.5m to The Centre of Research Excellence in Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Diseases Emergencies in 2020 for COVID-19 research. In 2023 the Snow Medical Research Foundation gave $100m to WEHI and Royal Melbourne Hospital to establish the Snow Centre for Immune Health. In 2026, Snow Medical awarded fellowships of $8m each to researchers at UNSW, Garvan Institute, and University of Sydney for biomedical research.
In 2025, the Snow Medical Research Foundation gave $50M to the University of Sydney to support glaucoma research
Kerry Stokes AC and family – $2m to the Australian Employment Covenant/Generation One initiative on indigenous employment, $15m+ to National Gallery of Australia to support the renewal of the gallery’s sculpture garden (2024) - (also $1m+ in 2009-10, 2013, and 2014), $1m+ annually to Telethon, $2m in 2017 via Australian Capital Equity, $740k to the Australian War Memorial (2019). Giving by Ryan Stokes and family includes $1m to the National Library of Australia (2018).
David and Barbara Thomas – $10m to the Nature Conservancy (2007).
Turner Family Foundation (Graham and Jude Turner) - $18.5m to University of Queensland to establish wildlife conservation and breeding project (2017)
The late Sir William Tyree – $10m bequest and $1m donation to Tyree Energy Technologies Building at UNSW (2009), $1m to engineering labs at University of Sydney (2007). The Sir William Tyree Foundation gave $1m to UNSW to support expansion of the nuclear engineering program (2021) as well as 8m to Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Parramatta), including a capital contribution to one of five galleries and ongoing support for engineering summits (2026).
Peter Wade – $10m to Ormond College, Melbourne, for Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship (2014).
Alex Waislitz – announced plans to give $50m over ten years via the Waislitz Foundation (2014). Initial $1m gifts made to Clontarf Foundation and Global Poverty Project.
Pamela Wall OAM - $10m to the Adelaide Festival (2024) and $1m to St Peter’s Woodlands (2024). Also $5m to University of Adelaide to establish the Ian and Pamela Wall Chair in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2023) and $5m to the Liberal Party of SA (2025).
David Walsh – funds Museum of Old and New Art (MoNA) in Hobart..
A E Rowden White Foundation – $14m to University of Melbourne.
Peter and Lyndy Whyte – $1.8m to WAYSS (2013), $7.5m to Wintringham Aged Care (2014), total giving of $3.3m in 2015, via Peter & Lyndy White Foundation.
Graeme Wood – $18m to University of Queensland (with Andrew Brice, 2010), $5m (with Jan Cameron, Rob and Sandy Purves) to Tasmanian Land Conservancy (2010), $2m to Menzies Medical Research Centre, University of Tasmania (2011), a reported $1.3m in giving for 2013.
Sheila Woodcock - $14m bequest in 2020; recipients include $1.375m each to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, The Salvation Army, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church, Hamilton NSW, RSPCA NSW, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Guide Dogs Australia, Diabetes NSW & ACT. Vision Australia also received a significant amount.
John Wylie and Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie - $5m to fund the Boisbouvier Founding Chair in literature at the University of Melbourne (2015), $8m from the John and Miriam Wylie Foundation to the State Library of Victoria (2016).

Estimated giving and pledges over $10m

Bob Bryan – estimated $30m+ to create Bryan Foundation, $2m a year to education and health.
John Lewis, Lewis Hotel Group, $15m to LifeFlight Australia (2022).
Jan Cameron (with Rob and Sandy Purves and Graeme Wood) – $5m to Tasmanian Land Conservancy (2010), estimated $15m a year to the Elsie Cameron Foundation.
McCusker family – Donated $5m+ in 2011-12 to a variety of causes via the McCusker Charitable Foundation, major giving includes $1.5m to WA Institute for Medical Research (2010), $1m annually to Telethon, $5m to University of Western Australia to fund a citizenship centre (2014) and a further $1m+ to UWA in 2015, $1.9m to Telethon in 2017.
Valerie and John Ryan - $10m bequest to the Hunter Medical Research Institute towards medical research funding (2020), $10m bequest to the Newcastle Art Gallery (2020)
Peter Scanlon – estimated $4m per annum in 2005, giving of $3m+ in 2014, 2015, gives via Scanlon Foundation.
Maha Sinnathamby - $5m to UNSW (2018). With Bob Sharpless gave $6.5m to the Mater Foundation for medical research and health service innovation (2020) and a further $1m to the Mater Foundation for a family wellbeing service
Brian Trudinger – $10.4m in cash plus ownership of Westmead IVF Pty Ltd to the University of Sydney (2014).
Maureen and Tony Wheeler – $5m to Opera Australia for production of Ring Cycle, funded Chair in Entrepreneurship at London Business School, donors to overseas aid via Planet Wheeler Foundation, donors to Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas in Melbourne.

Known giving and pledges over $5m

An anonymous donor gifted $5.2m to the Hunter Medical Research Institute in 2017 to to improve healthcare access for vulnerable and remote communities across NSW.
Christopher Abbot/The Abbot Foundation – $7m to the University of Woollongong to fund the Discovery Centre in early childhood teaching & research facility (2012).
James Agapitos and Ray Wilson – gift of art collection to National Gallery of Australia (2008) and $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW (2008, 2011 and 2014) and $5m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2010, 2013-14).
Albert Family – estimated $4m per annum in 2005.
Dale Alcock – total of $5.4 million given via ABN Group and ABN Foundation (2006-2011).
Anonymous donation of $5m to maths and science education in schools at University of Sydney (2013).
Dennis Bastas - $7.5m to the University of Melbourne to establish the Bastas Academy for Health Leadership (2025).
Belgiorno-Nettis family – $4m to Art Gallery of NSW (2007), founders of the Biennale of Sydney, donors to the Australian Chamber Orchestra, also give via Transfield Foundation. Major donors to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Mr Lyn and Mrs Bobbie Brazil via the Brazil Family Foundation - $5m to the University of Queensland's Queensland Brain Institute (2017).
Vitalik Buterin via the Balvi Philanthropic Fund – US$4m (approx A$5.3m) to UNSW’s Kirby Institute to establish the Shiba Inu OSINT Initiative for pandemic prevention (2022).
Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar – $5.1m in cash giving via the Atlassian Foundation including $4.1m to Room to Read. Foundation corpus is a reported $40m.
The late Geoffrey Carrick - $9.85m to Royal Flying Doctor Service and Children’s Hospital Foundation (2018).
Leigh and Sue Clifford – $5m for Clifford Chair in Neural Engineering at the University of Melbourne (2015). Other substantial giving to NGV, MCRI.
Doug Cory and family - $5m to the Salvation Army for affordable housing via the Cory Foundation (2017).
Ken Coles and Rowena Danziger – $5m+ to the Art Gallery of NSW (total giving to 2012).
Judith and David Coffey – $4m for Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, University of Sydney, plus additional gifts of $2m in 2012 and $3m in 2014 to the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney.
Hannah Cohen and family - $5m to Jewish Care Victoria (2016)
Robert Cripps via the Cripps Foundation - $6.9m to the University of Melbourne (2014)
Geoff and Moira Churack –$1m to fund Churack chair of chronic pain education and research (2013); they gave a further $5m in 2024 to continue funding research.
Peter Davidson – $5m to the University of Sydney (2013).
Carl Dowd and Wendy Dowd - $5 million to the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (2018)
Michael Drapac - $6.1m to Deakin University for fund scholarships and the Damion Drapac Centre (2022).
James and Jacqui Erskine – $5m+ to National Gallery of Australia, artworks worth $250k+ to Newcastle Art Gallery (2018).
Audette Exel – a reported $8.5m in giving to her foundation, Audara Development.
Scott Farquhar (with Mike Cannon-Brookes) – $5.1m in cash giving via the Atlassian Foundation including $4.1m to Room to Read. Foundation corpus is a reported $40m.
Rob and Jenny Ferguson – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Brian Flannery and family – donations via Flannery Family Foundation of $2.3m in 2014, $2.57m in 2015.
Peter Freedman AM - $5m to the Sydney Festival to be used to acquire new major works and help support Australian artists (2021), $1M to the Australian Design Council (2023) to support the relaunch of the ADC.
James Gleeson and Frank O'Keefe – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
The late Mollie and Jim Gowing - $5m+ to the Art Gallery of NSW
Warren Halloran – $5m to University of Sydney (2012), and a further $5m in 2015.
Walter Hartwig – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Elizabeth Hazel – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Jane Hemstritch – $8m to WEHI to establish the Hemstritch Centre of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer Research (2024).
Mary Heseltine – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
John Higgins – $2.3 million to establish the Gerry Higgins Chair in Positive Psychology at University of Melbourne (2013), $3m with Allan and Maria Myers in 1999 to fund the Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies, $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria
Charles Holckner - $5m to Jewish Care Victoria (2019).
John Hooke CBE and Maria Teresa Hooke - $5m to John Hooke Chair of Nanosciences at the University of Sydney (2011).
Mervyn Horton – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Xiangmo Huang – $1.8m to UTS, $1m to Children’s Medical Research Institute (2013), $3.5m to Australia-China Institute for Arts and Culture at Western Sydney University (2015).
Jonathan and Karen Human – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Li Ka Shing, via Li Ka Shing Foundation - $3m to Royal Flying Doctor Service (2007), US$3m to University of Melbourne (2017), $4.5m to the University of Sydney (2018).
Trevor Kennedy – In kind donation valued at $7m to the National Museum of Australia (2020)
John and Jenny Leaper, $5m to Arts Centre Melbourne to support the refurbishment of the State Theatre (2024)
Bob Magid - $1m to Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics (2018).
Susan Maple-Brown and the late Robert Maple-Brown – $5m to University of Sydney (2011) and $1m+ in cumulative giving to UNSW.
Simon Marais Foundation - $5m to University of Sydney (2018).
Brendan McAssey via the Beluga Foundation gave $1m to La Trobe University to support stroke research and treatment (2018) and a further $6m in 2022.
Patricia McDonald - $7m to the Australian Museum to fund the Patricia McDonald Education Rooms (2018).
Peter and Ruth McMullin – donors to the University of Melbourne to fund the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness (2017), $4m to the University of Melbourne to fund the Science Gallery Melbourne (2019). $1m to Melbourne Recital Centre to establish The Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon (2024).
Nelson Meers AO, Samantha Meers AO – giving to the arts via Nelson Meers Foundation, estimated $1m in 2005, $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW, $1.5m+ to State Library of NSW (2011), $1.5m+ in 2013-14, $1m to University of Sydney (2016), major donor to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Gordon Merchant – a reported $2m in donations in 2013, $3m to Skin Cancer Network (2011).
The late Dame Elizabeth Murdoch – major philanthropist, giving an estimated $2.5m in 2005. Giving to a wide range of causes, including $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria, and $5m from the Murdoch family to fund the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (1984).
Sarah and Lachlan Murdoch - $1m to the Australian Ballet (2017), $5m to Murdoch Children's Research Institute in 2020 to fund a perpetual Fellowship. The Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch Foundation gave $1m to Qtopia Ltd (2023). The Murdoch Family gave $4m to bushfire relief efforts in 2020
Louise and Martyn Myer – Giving via Louise and Martyn Myer Foundation includes $1m+ to Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, $10m to Melbourne University with Myer Foundation, Ian Potter Foundation (2013).
Mark and Louise Nelson - $5m+ to the Art Gallery of NSW’s Sydney Modern project (2017).
The late Margaret Olley AC - $5m+ to the Art Gallery of NSW
Clive Palmer / Mineralogy – $5m to Foodbank to provide millions of meals to Australians (2025), $1m to Foodbank for ongoing emergency food relief (2026).
Daniel Petre – several $1m gifts, including $1m to Centre for Social Impact at UNSW and $1m to Social Ventures Australia in 2010, and $4m to Garvan Foundation to fund Chairs in breast cancer and prostate cancer research.
John Orde Poynton – $5m+ to National Gallery of Australia, $2m to ANU (2011) and further $2m (2013).
Andrew Pridham via the Pridham Foundation - $5m to the University of South Australia (2016), $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Kenneth Reed – $1m to Australian Ballet (2005), $7m bequest to Art Gallery of NSW (2010), $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW (2011-12), $5.5m to the University of Sydney (2013), $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Greg and Kathy Shand – $5m to the Sydney Jewish Museum towards an endowment fund to help the Sydney Jewish Museum to become self-sufficient (2017).
Bob Sharpless – with Maha Sinnathamby gave $6.5m to the Mater Foundation for medical research and health service innovation (2020) and a further $1m to the Mater Foundation for a family wellbeing service.
Brian and Gene Sherman – $2m to COFA (2010), $1m+ to UTS (2015), founders and supporters of animal protection organisation Voiceless, $1.5m to Art Gallery of NSW Sydney Modern (2018). Brian gave $1m to the Australian Museum in 2020 to support redevelopment.
Andrew Sisson – $5.2m to purchase Correggio painting for the National Gallery of Victoria (2011), $1m+ to NGV (2012-13) and further $5m+ (2012-14)
Dick Smith – estimated $1m per annum; total giving from Dick Smith Foods totals over $10m, donated $1m to Australian Lions Foundation (2013), $1m to Aussie Helpers (2015), $1m to Country Womens Association of Australia (2018). Dick and Pip Smith jointly gave $1m to Rotary to support Australians living with extreme hardships (2025).
Charles and Denyse Spice – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW, $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Edwin Szeto – $7m to Sydney Adventist Hospital to fund a purpose-built PET-CT imaging centre (2023).
Roy and Nola Thompson – $5 million to the University of the Sunshine Coast (2014), $3.6m to the University of the Sunshine Coast for an MRI machine (2015), $1m to Nambour Heritage Tramway (2019), $2m to the Sunshine Coast Health Foundation toward the Wishlist Centre (2021).
Kenneth E Tyler and Marabeth Cohen-Tyler – $5m+ to National Gallery of Australia.
Arnold Vitocco - $5m to the Powerhouse Parramatta (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences) to support the Vitocco Family Kitchen and Vitocco Legacy Project.
Peter Weiss AO – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW (total giving to 2014), $1m+ to Australian Chamber Orchestra, $1m to Sydney Opera House (2018).
Beryl Whiteley OAM – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Christine and Bruce Wilson - $5.5m to Snowdome Foundation to fund the Christine and Bruce Wilson Centre for Lymphoma Genomics (2017).
Wilson Family Trust - $5m to the University of Melbourne to establish the Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Lab at University of Melbourne (2022).

Known giving and pledges over $1m

Michael Abbott AO QC – $1m+ to the National Gallery of Victoria
Andrew and Shadda Abercrombie - $1m to LaTrobe University (2017).
Alex Abrahams and family (via Rosebrook Foundation) – $3.6m to University of Sydney (2015).
Vicki Ainsworth – $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Susan Alberti – $1m to Victoria University for scholarships (2016), $1m to support the Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair (2018).
Betty Amsden – $5m to Victorian Arts Centre (2009), plus another $1m in 2013.
Anonymous $2.5m donation to support Southern Highlands Regional Art Gallery (2019).
David and Anita Angel – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Stacey Anwin – $1m bequest intention to Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA) (2026).
Anonymous donation of $1m for humanities and social sciences at ANU (2013).
The late Albert Arcus - $1.5m+ to St George’s College, UWA (2014).
Armati family – $1m+ to Sydney Children's Hospital.
Philip Bacon – $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia.
Joanna Baevski – $1m+ to Florey Neuroscience Institutes.
David Baffsky AO and Helen Baffsky - major donors to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Jim and Janette Bain – $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Christopher Baker and Kerri Hall - $3.5m to the Inner North Community Foundation to create the Bakers Dozen Social Justice Fund.
Sydney Ball – artworks worth $1m to University of South Australia’s Samstag Museum of Art (2013).
Todd Barlin – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Percy Baxter Charitable Trust - $1m+ to Florey Neuroscience Institutes.
Caroline and Terry Bellair - $1m to Bush Heritage (2019).
Sue and Ian Bernadt – $1m+ to Art Gallery of WA (2010-14).
Tim Berry via the Tibra Foundation - $1.25m to The University of Wollongong to establish a Professorial Chair in Mathematical Sciences.
Neville and Diana Bertalli via the Bertalli Foundation - $2.5m to La Trobe University for STEM education (2023).
Barbara Blackman – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
The late Lorna Blackwood – $2m to Humpty Dumpty Foundation (2018).
Bill Bowness – $1m to University of Queensland (2014). Bowness family – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria in overall giving. Bowness Family Foundation $1m to Zoos Victoria to establish endowment fund (2017).
Helen Brack – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Mary-Jane Brodribb – $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW
Malcolm Broomhead - $3m to the University of Queensland to establish a Chair in Finance (2020).
Yvonne and Hugh Buchanan May – $5m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Jim Buckee – $2m to University of Western Australia.
Alexandra and Julian Burt - $2.5m to the West Australian Ballet (2019) towards an endowment fund
Alina Cade – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Andrew Cameron AM and Cathy Cameron – $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Doug and Elaine Cameron - $1m to Guide Dogs NSW for the Centre for Eye Health in Parramatta (2020).
John and Alison Cameron – $500k per annum via Cameron Foundation.
Alexander Censor – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Susan Chandler – $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Christine Christian - $2m to State Library of Victoria to establish Start Space (2017).
Dr Francis X Claps and Denise Green – artworks worth $1m to University of Queensland (2013).
Peter and Joan Clemenger, and Clemenger Foundation – estimated $1m in 2005, founders of Clemenger Contemporary Art Award, $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria, $1m+ to the Victorian Arts Centre.
Michelle Coe and the late David Coe – $1m+ to Sydney Children's Hospital, major donors to Sydney Law School, $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-10 and 2013), major arts philanthropists.
Julius and Pam Colman – via the Colman Foundation – $1.8m for new building for Doveton College.
Pat Corrigan AM – Artworks worth over $2m to Gold Coast City Art Gallery, $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW, $1m+ to State Library of Queensland.
Philip and Caroline Cornish - estimated $2m in 2005, $1m+ to Florey Neuroscience Institutes.
The Costa Family - $2.5m to Barwon Health to establish the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre (2018)
Jim and Libby Cousins – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Alan and Mavourneen Cowen – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Jack and Sharon Cowin – $3m to Bond University to fund exchange program with Western University, the Cowins’ Canadian alma mater (2013).
The late Robin Crawford – $1m+ to UNSW for Centre for Social Impact. $1m to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (2015)
Greg Creed - $1m to QUT (2019).
The late Michael J Crouch AO – $1.4m to State Library of NSW (2012), $1m+ to UNSW, $1m+ to State Library of NSW (2013-14).
Cora Grace Cutmore – bequest of $1m+ to the Clem Jones Research Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Bond University (2017).
Perri Cutten – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Albert Dadon AM and Debbie Dadon - $1m+ to Monash University
Gordon and Marilyn Darling – major arts philanthropists via the Gordon Darling Foundation, $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-10) and (2013-14), $1m+ to National Portrait Gallery.
Ian Darling AO and Min Darling – at least $500k to Geelong Grammar (2017), $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Kazuko De Angeli and the late Frank De Angeli – $2m to St Vincent’s Clinic Foundation (2018).
The Douglass Family - $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
The Dowling Family – $1m+ to State Library of Queensland.
Daniel and Lyndell Droga (via the Droga Family Foundation) - $1m to UTS (2018).
Peter and Monica Edwards – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Dr Lorraine Elsass – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Eva Erdi via the Eva and Les Erdi Charitable Foundation – largest ever gift received by Alfred Foundation, for the Eva and Les Erdi Emergency and Trauma Centre (2015)
Moustafa Fahour and family - $4m to Islamic Museum of Australia (2014).
The late Lady Mary Fairfax – several $1m gifts, including to Australian Ireland Fund, the University of Sydney, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, and cumulative giving of $1m+ to UNSW.
Peter Farrell – gifts of $1m+ to Harvard, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, San Diego Foundation, UCSD Cardiovascular Centre, along with substantial Australian giving including $1m+ to UNSW from the Farrell Family Foundation.
John W Fawcett – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Sonia Fenton – $1m to Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (2014).
Simon Fenwick - $1.34m to Brisbane Grammar School (2017), $1m to Advance Australia (2020).
Bill Ferris – $2m to Garvan.
Alan and Elizabeth Finkel – giving includes funding of Finkel Chair in Global Health at Monash University, $1m to bionic eye research at Monash (2014).
John Fitzgerald – c. $1m per annum to education, a reported $600k in 2013.
Lindsay Fox – $1m to Anzac Centenary Public Fund (2014).
Dale Frank – artworks valued at $4m to National Gallery of Australia (2014).
Marco Franovic - $1m to Sutherland Hospital for a research and education centre and the expansion of the oncology day clinic (2022)
Patricia Fullerton – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
The late Neilma Gantner – $1m+ to the Victorian Arts Centre.
Jean Garling – $1m+ to State Library of NSW (2011 and 2013)
Ben Gascoigne – $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-10) and (2013-14)
The late Tony Gilbert AM (John Anthony Gilbert) – over $1m in giving to the Art Gallery of NSW and the State Library of NSW, founding benefactor of the Bell Shakespeare Company.
Roger and Lesley Gillespie - support includes Monash University's World Mosquito Program, family foundation distributed $1.27m in 2018. Roger Gillespie became Chair of Monash University's Change It. For Good. campaign in 2019. The Gillespie Family Foundation gave $1m to La Trobe University to fund the Bradford Shepparton Pathways program (2023)
Sir Owen Glenn - $3m to St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation (2018).
David Gonski – $1m+ to UNSW, (with Dr Orli Wargon OAM) major donor to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
John and Louise Gourlay – $2.5m to Trinity College Melbourne to fund Gourlay Visiting Professorship of Ethics in Business (2004).
The Grant Family in memory of Inge Grant - $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Rino and Diana Grollo – estimated $1m in 2005, $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Irene Hams – $1m to Southern Cross University to fund natural medicine research in cancer treatment (2024).
Haruhisa Handa – $1.5m to Guide Dogs WA (2012), $3m to Opera Australia (2012), international aid via the Handa Foundation.
Gerry Harvey, Katie Page and Harvey Norman Holdings - $1m to Western Sydney University (2018).
Ernest Heine Family Foundation - $2.83m to the University of Sydney to enable pain research initiatives (2020
George and Pat Hetrel - $1m to Knox City Council for community sports and leisure facilities (2018).
Ian Hicks – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Trevor and Marnie Holborow – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Roberta Holmes – $3.2m to fund a Chair at La Trobe University (2013).
Robert Holmgren and Anita Spertus – $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-10 and 2013)
Bill Holsworth – $1m+ (cumulatively) to fund scholarships in wildlife research.
Bob Holt - $1m to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation to fund a baby respirator for the Katherine Hospital (NT)
Harry and Sylvia Hoffman – regular large donations to educational and other charities.
Trevor and Marnie Holborow - $1m+ to the National Gallery of Victoria
Peter and Heather Howes – $1m to QUT (2010).
Dick and Penny Hunstead – $1.4m to University of Sydney (2014)
Peter Hunt AM – via Hunt Family Foundation the $1m to Mind Medicine Australia towards studies on psychedelic-assisted therapies (2022).
Belinda Hutchinson and Roger Massy-Greene - $1m to the University of Sydney for scholarships (2015).
Mark Hutchison - $1m to University of Queensland (2018).
Peter Ivany AM and Sharon Ivany - $1m to MCA (2018).
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness – $1m to the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts (2014).
Terry Jackman – $1m to Mater Foundation (2013).
Gary Johnston – $1m+ to UNSW, (with Kerry-Anne Johnston) major donor to Art Gallery of NSW’s Sydney Modern (2018)
Alan Joyce - $1m to the Equality Campaign (2017).
Elias and Colleen Jreissati – $1m to National Gallery of Victoria (2002, 2013, and 2014). In 2022 gave $1m to the Home of the Arts (HOTA).
Douglas Kagi – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Gail Kelly - $1m to UNSW for Global Leaders Scholarship (2017).
Trevor and Christina Kennedy – $1m to Garvan Institute (2007).
Ruth Kerr OAM – $1m+ to State Library of NSW (2009-10 and 2013).
David Khedoori - major donor to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Craig and Connie Kimberley via the Kimberley Family Foundation - $1m to the Centre for Eye Research to fund glaucoma research (2020).
Ulrike Klein – $2m to purchase rare instruments for the nation (2012), giving via Klein Family Foundation and Ngeringa Arts.
Helen and Aron Kleinlehrer – major donors to Emanuel School. $1m to fund Aron Kleinlehrer Performing Arts Centre (2007), $1.5m to fund Kleinlehrer Family Science Building (2011), additional $1.5m donation in 2013
Rudy and Ruth Kormon – $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia.
George Koukis – funds Chair in medicine at St Thomas’s hospital, London, donor to Arthritis UK.
Jo Lagerberg and Steve Swift – $1m+ to Art Gallery of WA (2010-14)
Colin Lam - $1.5m to Macquarie University for Chi Wah Robotic Innovation Centre (2016)
John Landerer/Landerer & Company – major gifts over a period of years to various Sydney universities, charities, and legal institutions.
Ian Landon-Smith – $1m to Bush Heritage (2007).
Lee Ming Tee and family – $1m to University of Sydney (2004), additional giving to children's charities, medical research, Great Barrier Reef scientific projects, education and the arts.
Joy Levis - major donor to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Sotiria Liangis and family – $1m+ to National Portrait Gallery , $1m to Canberra Hospital Foundation (2013).
Lee Liberman via the Lee Liberman Charitable Foundation - $1m+ to Monash University.
The Lippmann Family - major donors to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
John Love – $1m to ANU (2014).
Adam and Belinda MacDougall / MacDougall Foundation – $2m to Ronald McDonald House Newcastle to fund the second stage of expansion (2025).
Alasdair and Prudence MacLeod via the Macdoch Foundation - $3m to the Australian Museum toward redevelopment of the Museum (2020)
Ron Malek (with Simon Mordant via Luminis Foundation) - $1m to UNSW (2016).
Violet Vines Marshman Charitable Trust - $3m to LaTrobe University (2018).
Jeff McCloy – $1m to Salvation Army (2015).
Jamie McClurg - $1m to SAHMRI - South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute to establish the McClurg Brain Cancer Fellowship (2022).
McEniery family - $1m to Mater Foundation (2015).
Robert McLean AM and Paula McLean - $1m to the Nature Conservancy (2018). Paula donated $1m to the Stella Prize towards the Stella Forever endowment fund (2021)
Matthew McLennan – $1m to the University of Queensland (2013)), $500k to Brisbane Grammar (2017), $1m to the University of Queensland (2018).
Francis McNiff - $4m to the University of Melbourne to establish the Francine V McNiff Chair in Criminology (2015).
Roy Medich OAM (via Medich Foundation) - major donor to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018), $1m to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences towards a new cinema at Powerhouse Parramatta (2026).
Naomi Milgrom AO – giving includes Frederick Mendelsohn Chair in Neuroscience at the University of Melbourne (2009), gives to arts via Naomi Milgrom Foundation, including $500k+ to National Gallery of Australia.
Patty Mills AM – gave $1,428,000 to Black Lives Matter Australia, Black Deaths in Custody and The We Got You campaign (2020)
Bevelly Mitchell – $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia.
Gordon and Jacqueline Moffatt – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Babak Moini and Rochelle Collis– $1m to FSHD Global Research Foundation (2014) a further $1m to FSHD and $1m to MS Research Australia (2015)
Carlo Montagner and Bozena Zembrzuski – $1m to Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre (2011).
Chris Morris and family – giving via Morris Family Foundation, distributed $2m+ in 2014.
Peter Wynne Morris and Derek Parker – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Baillieu Myer AC and Sarah Myer - $1m+ to the National Gallery of Victoria
Philip Myer – property worth c. $4m to the Marcus Oldham College (2012).
Warwick Negus – $1m+ to UNSW.
Patricia New - $1.2m to the Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, UWA (2015)
Mark & Hyeon-Joo Newman – $1m+ to Heide Museum of Modern Art.
Ian and Shirley Newman Foundation, $2.5m to Macquarie University to fund research into combating the varroa mite (2024)
Robert Oatley – $1m+ to National Portrait Gallery.
George Pappas – $1m to Victoria University (2016).
Hamish Parker - $1m to Art Gallery of NSW for Sydney Modern (2018).
Bruce Parncutt and Robin Campbell – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Nigel and Patricia Peck Foundation – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
May Perkins – $1m in cumulative donations to Westmead Millenium Institute (2009).
Millie Phillips – $4m to education (2011).
Mike Quigley – $2m to Neuroscience Research Australia (2010).
Pat Rafter – reported $800k in donations in 2013, previously a major donor to Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Joanna and Justin Ryan – $1m to the Sydney Women’s Fund to support educational programs and employment pathways (2025).
John and Sunday Reed – $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia.
Bruce & Joy Reid Foundation – at least $1.5m in total giving to the State Library of NSW
Jill Reichstein – c. $1.3m in 2007-08 via Reichstein Foundation. Recent grants by the foundation are listed here.
Alan and Jancis Rees – $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Vince Rehbein – $1m to Mater Foundation (2007).
Andrew and Andrea Roberts - $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Tim Roberts – $1m to Telethon (2012), $1.5m annually to Telethon (2013-17).
John Rodgers - $2m to St George’s College, UWA (2014).
Rothwell Family Foundation - $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Adrian and Ciara Ruane – donated a $1m airplane to Little Wings (2025)
Maria and Victor Rudewych – $1.5m to Monash University to support Ukranian studies and $750k to the Ukranian Eparchy in Australia (2014).
Alek Safarian - $1.4m to University of Sydney (2017).
Radek and Helen Sali - $1m to LaTrobe University (2017). Their Lightfolk Foundation distributed $2m in 2017.
Eddy Sariaatmadja - $1.3m to Royal Perth Hospital (2018).
John Schaeffer – major arts philanthropist, $1m+ to National Portrait Gallery.
Harold Schenberg – $1m+ to Art Gallery of WA (2010-14)
Nancy and Benno Schmidt – $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-14).
Max Schroder - $1.25m to the University of New England (2019), $1m to Vision Australia (2020).
Schwartz Family – $2m in total giving via Schwartz Foundation.
Penelope Seidler and the late Harry Seidler – $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia (2009-14), $1m to UNSW Architecture (2014), $750k to University of Sydney (2016), $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Basil Sellers, $1m to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home to help fund the construction of the shelter in Kurnell (2025).
Kevin Seymour – $500k per annum to welfare charities in Brisbane.
AGL Shaw – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Shi Zhengrong – $2m to Sydney Theatre Company for solar technology (2009), $1m+ in cumulative gifts to UNSW.
Trevor and Judith St Baker - $750k to St Vincent De Paul, $1.5m to University of Queensland for green energy research (2018).
Fred Street – $1m to Bundanon Trust (late 1990s), donor to Opera Australia and other arts causes.
Professor Colin Sullivan - $2m to the University of Sydney sleep and disease research program
John Symond – $2m to St Vincent’s Curran Foundation (2015), major donor to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Peter Szental and Lorraine Elsass – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Tony Tartak - $1m to Powehouse Paramatta via the Skylife Foundation (2023).
Tee Peng Tay and family - major donors to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Paul and Sue Taylor - $1.25m to Centre for the Business and Economics of Health, University of Queensland (2015).
Trainor Family – $1m+ to UNSW.
Harry Triguboff. Gives around $3m each year through the Harry Triguboff Foundation.
Barbara and Albert Tucker – $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia, $1m+ to Heide Museum of Modern Art (2011, 2013, and 2014), $500k+ to Art Gallery of WA.
Lois Turk – major gifts over a period of several years to various Sydney charities.
Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull – $1m+ to Sydney Children's Hospital, major donors to Sydney Law School, $1.75m to the Liberal Party in 2016. Mr Turnbull said in 2018 that he donated his $528k annual salary as Prime Minister to charity.
John Turner - $1m to Federation University for cancer research (2017).
Geoffrey and Frances Tyler – $1m donation plus artworks to University of Tasmania (2011).
Jeff Underhill – $1m+ to Capalaba Lions Club (2013).
Barbara van Ernst – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Will and Jane Vicars - $1m to Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern (2018).
Henriette von Dallwitz and Richard Paul – $2m+ to National Gallery of Australia.
Nikos and Maria Vournazos - $1.5m to Fronditha Care (2014).
Chris Wallin – $3m to Royal Flying Doctors via QCoal Foundation (2013).
Deanne Weir – $500k to Sydney Women's Fund, $500k to IWDA (2014)..
Thomas Wenkart – The Wenkart Foundation endowed a Chair in the Endothelium, University of Sydney.
Paul Wheelton – $500k to Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School (2014), $1m to fund Wheelton Centre at Camberwell Grammar School (2013), $500k to Northern Health. $1m to Women Moving Millions (2017).
Lyn Williams AM – $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW, $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria, $1m+ to National Gallery of Australia (with the late Fred Williams) (2013-14)
Hugh D T Williamson Foundation – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
David George Wilson – $1m+ to Art Gallery of NSW.
Karen Wilson/The Wilson Foundation - $1m to Deakin University's Food & Mood Centre (2018).
Ian and Jill Wilson - $1m to the University of Tasmania for scholarships (2023)
Rebel Wilson - $1m to the Australian Theatre for Young People to support a new theatre in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct (2021)
Robert Wilson – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Jason Yeap and Min Lee Wong – $1m+ to National Gallery of Victoria.
Kevin and Kathy Young – $1m to Red Cross (2012).

Estimated giving over $1m

Soheil Abedian – gift (amount not known) to Bond University to establish School of Architecture (2010).
Laurence Freedman - estimated $1m in 2005.
Brian and Fay McGuigan – gift (amount not known) to the Hunter Medical Research Institute to fund a fellowship in ovarian cancer research (2017).
Elizabeth and James Tatoulis – endowed a Chair in Classics at the University of Melbourne (2015)

Estates distributing over $1m per year

David Turner Endowment Fund - $5.2m to Monash University in 2015, and a further $5.75m in 2018. Distributed $1m+ in 2019
Estates of Fred Archer and Eric Storm – estimated distribution of $2.3m in 2005.
Estate of Thomas Baker – Baker Foundation holds $103m in assets, distributed $4.6m in 2018.
Estate of Clem Jones – $6m distributed to multiple projects in 2010, $3.2m in 2013.
Estate of Percy Baxter – estimated distribution of $2.6m in 2005. Recent giving includes $960k to Ballarat Health Services for cancer centre equipment (2012).
Estate of Jack Brockhoff via the Jack Brockhoff Foundation – distributions of $1.98m in 2015.
Estate of William Buckland via the William Buckland Foundation – distribution of $6.5m in 2014.
Estate of Alice, Annette, and Edith Collier – distribution of $4.9m in 2014.
Estate of Alfred Felton – distribution of $2m+ in 2014.
Estate of Ralph Lachberg – estimated distribution of $1m in 2005.
Estate of Helen Macpherson Smith via Helen McPherson Smith Trust – distribution of $6m+ in 2014.
Estate of Reuben Meyer via the Reuben Meyer Trust Fund – distributed $3.6m in 2017 (mostly overseas), assets are $102m
Estate of Harry Moss via the Harry Lyon Moss Trust Fund – annual distribution of approximately $2m.
Estate of Clive and Vera Ramaciotti – estimated distribution of $1.4m in 2005, $2.2m in 2013 and $54m in total.
Estate of Roy Everard Ross, the RE Ross Trust distribution of $3.7m in 2014.
Sylvia and Charles Viertel Foundation – distributes over $8m annually (ACNC) from an original bequest of $60m.
Estate of John Oswald Wicking, the Wicking Trust – estimated annual distribution of $3m in 2005.
Estate of Hugh Williamson – estimated distribution of $1.5m in 2005.