• The Ian Potter Foundation

    The Ian Potter Foundation makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors and endeavours.

    Our Vision

  • What We Support

    The Foundation makes grants through several fundings areas that are aligned with its Vision for a vibrant, healthy, fair and sustainable Australia

    Funding Areas

  • Our Philosophy

    We are a major Australian philanthropic foundation that supports and promotes excellence and innovation, facilitating positive social change, and developing Australia's creativity and capacity as a nation.

    Funding Principles

  • Funding Rounds

    See when our funding areas are next open.

    Funding Rounds

  • Our Story

    The Ian Potter Foundation since 1964.

    We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work.
    We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

    Honour the past, embrace the future.

    Our History
113
Grants approved (2018-19)
$25m
Value of Grants (2018-19)
$325+m
Funds distributed since 1964
Learn More

Funding Rounds

Next Round | Round 1, 2021 | 19 October 2020

How to apply
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Open Program Areas

Expression of Interest

  • Vibrant - Arts
  • Healthy - Public Health Research

Application

  • Healthy - Medical Research

Important Dates

Expression of Interest

Open:
Monday 19 October 2020
Close:
Friday 6 November 2020

Applications

Open:
Monday 19 October 2020
Close:
Friday 22 January 2021 5pm AEST

Grants announced

late April 2021

Upcoming | Round 2, 2021 | 29 March 2021

How to apply
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Open Program Areas

Expression of Interest

  • Fair - Community Wellbeing
  • Sustainable - Environment

Important Dates

Expression of Interest

Open:
Monday 29 March 2021
Close:
Friday 16 April 2021

Applications

Open:
Monday 29 March 2021
Close:
Friday 4 June 2021 5pm AEST

Grants announced

late September 2021

Future | Round 3, 2021 | By invitation only

Great Cumbung Jan2020 4

This round is for Major grants and by invitation only.

Featured Stories

  • July 2020 Grants

    As previously announced in April 2020, the Board of The Ian Potter Foundation agreed to change its approach to grantmaking for the remainder of 2020 due to the unfolding health and economic crises caused by the combination of Australia’s devastating bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.  

    In July 2020, the Board of The Ian Potter Foundation held an additional special meeting at which several by-invitation grant applications were considered. Most of the grants awarded were to not-for-profit organisations in order to provide timely funding in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Learn more

    In mid-May 2020, The Ian Potter Foundation was advised that it will receive a bequest valued at approximately $22.5m.  This bequest, to be known as the Margaret Reid “Kingston” bequest, will be the largest ever donation received by the Foundation, aside from Sir Ian’s contributions during his life and the bequest from his estate after his passing in 1994.

  • COVID-19 announcement

    Due to the COVID-19 virus, The Ian Potter Foundation has instituted a series of operational protocols for the coming weeks and months to ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff and the organisations and individuals with which we work. These protocols will remain in place until further notice.

    Read more

    We encourage all our colleagues in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors to stay safe, follow all government advice and ensure you continue to practice safe hygiene at all times. 

  • CEO Report Fiscal 2019

    This past year has been one of reflection and renewal at the Foundation.  The Board’s decision, at its planning day in October 2018, to add ‘sustainable’ as a fourth element in the Foundation’s vision informed this renewal.

    Read more

    'We seek a partnership with our grantees, to pursue a strategic relationship built on mutual respect, trust and an environment that promotes transparency and open, honest conversation.'

  • Chairman's Report 2019

    In October 2018, the Board added ‘sustainable’ to the vision of the Foundation to reflect the history of The Ian Potter Foundation as a strong supporter of Australian environmental and conservation initiatives.

    The four elements of our renewed vision – vibrant, healthy, fair and sustainable –  inform all of our funding objectives. From 2020, the Foundation's funding areas will align with these pillars.

    Read more

    'There are many problems that need to be addressed in our society. No one philanthropic foundation can expect to focus on all issues. That is why the Board of Governors continues to refer back to the Foundation’s Vision and Mission to maintain focus on making a difference.'

  • New Funding Guidelines

    At the September 2019 Board meeting, the Governors of The Ian Potter Foundation approved the establishment of four funding pillars:

    Vibrant – Arts and Culture

    Healthy – Medical Research equipment and Public Health Research Projects

    Fair – Early Childhood Development and Community Wellbeing

    Sustainable – Environment

     

    Learn more

    From Round 1, 2020 applications can be made within these funding areas.

    Check the Funding Rounds page to see when each funding area is open in 2020.

News

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August 21 2020

2021 Funding Rounds to open as usual

Child safety wellbeing hexagon Playgroups Australia white space

August 19 2020

July 2020 Grants

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May 22 2020

Funding round update - May 2020

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April 27 2020

Sector support during COVID-19

Donations

Support Australia's most innovative projects through a donation to The Ian Potter Foundation. Your donation will support projects that address areas of particular need or opportunity, managed by credible organisations with solid track records in their particular fields.
Donate

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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