The Foundation has a tradition of awarding large, catalytic grants for major projects. These projects are proactively identified by Foundation staff and Board members. Selected invited applications are then considered once a year by the Foundation’s Board of Governors.

Aerial view of Melbourne skyline with proposed new NGV Contemporary building in foreground next to Arts Centre spire
A bird's eye view of the Melbourne Arts Precinct from Southbank Boulevard facing north (artist impression). Image by HASSELL + SO-IL

In 2020, The Ian Potter Foundation announced its support of NGV Contemporary with a $20 million major grant to kickstart the National Gallery of Victoria's ambitious fundraising efforts towards this significant cultural infrastructure project. 

 

By invitation only

In 2015-16 the Foundation's Board of Governors decided to separate Major Grants within its grantmaking program. Through the Major Grants stream, the Foundation recognises and considers iconic or significant projects, most of which will not fit within defined program area funding guidelines.

The establishment of the Major Grants stream protects funding allocations to the Foundation’s core program areas while ensuring the Foundation's tradition of large and catalytic grants continue to assist the delivery of significant projects in the community.

Projects are proactively sought out by the Foundation from which select applications are then considered once a year by the Foundation’s Board of Governors.

Recent major grants

Before 2017

Several grants made prior to 2017 are now categorised as major grants. All major grants can be found in the Grants Database.

Major Grants