The Myer Foundation
Giving Philosophy
The foundation's approach to giving is deeply rooted in the Myer family's legacy of generosity, aiming to make significant and lasting changes in Australian society. They believe in partnering with the not-for-profit sector, other philanthropists, and all levels of government to foster a healthier and more prosperous nation. Their mission is to promote a just, creative, enlightened, caring, and sustainable Australia.
Tips for Applicants
While current application rounds for the prominent Sidney Myer Creative Fellowships and Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships are closed, the foundation explicitly supports individual artists, creators, cultural leaders, and innovators addressing social and environmental challenges. Future applicants for similar programs should note the significant, unrestricted tax-free grants offered. The foundation also engages in larger grants supporting organisations focused on areas like food relief, secure housing, social impact leadership, and rural development, indicating a broad scope of support for the not-for-profit sector.
Programs & Opportunities (5)
This program supports individuals with breakthrough solutions to Australia's most pressing social and environmental challenges, offering time and funding to develop groundbreaking ideas.
These fellowships provide unrestricted, tax-free grants over two years to early to mid-career Australian artists, creatives, and cultural leaders, recognizing their outstanding talent and exceptional courage.
Created in 1984, these awards recognized and rewarded outstanding achievements in various performing arts disciplines, running for 40 years until 2023.
This program provides multi-year grants to support the general operations of Australian incorporated organizations working to support low-income families to thrive in secure housing.
The Mental Health Program offers multi-year grants to support the general operations of community-based organizations and initiatives focused on empowering people with lived experience to improve mental health outcomes.
Notable Grants
- Eight artists awarded $200,000 each (total $1.6 million) as 2025 Sidney Myer Creative Fellows (from Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation).
- Dr Alicia Kennedy, Dr Campbell Costello, and Dr Zanab Malik awarded $180,000 each (total $540,000) as 2026 Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellows (from Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation).
- $1 million grant for food relief across Victoria (from Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation).
- $1.5 million in grants supporting low-income families to thrive in secure housing (from Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation).
- Five more years of support for Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) (from Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation).
- Founding support for the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), with the Sidney Myer Fund donating $1 million.
- $355,000 over five years to The Social Studio, a social enterprise working with refugee and migrant young people.
- Support for Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC).
- Support for Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC).
- Support for Stars Foundation, aiding Indigenous girls and young women.
- Partnership with 38 other philanthropic trusts and foundations to support Australian Marriage Equality.
- Establishment of ClimateWorks Australia in partnership with Monash University.
- Support for The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
- Establishment of Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.
- Establishment of Asialink in partnership with the Federal Government’s Commission for the Future.
- Creation of The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in partnership with The Ian Potter Foundation.
- Gift of £200,000 from the Sidney Myer Fund for the construction of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
- Support for Human Rights Law Centre - Safeguarding Democracy.
Financial History (7 years)
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Surplus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.0M | $9.0M | $84.8M | $-5,006,580 |
| 2022 | $8.4M | $6.5M | $82.3M | $1.9M |
| 2021 | $3.5M | $5.1M | $86.2M | $-1,636,252 |
| 2020 | $3.2M | $5.1M | $76.9M | $-1,893,279 |
| 2019 | $5.2M | $6.4M | $78.1M | $-1,166,381 |
| 2018 | $10.1M | $7.6M | $74.7M | $-222,567 |
| 2017 | $7.1M | $8.1M | $70.4M | $-1,000,495 |
Community Evidence
External EvidenceIdentity
- GS ID
- AU-ABN-46100632395
- ABN
- 46100632395
- Sector
- indigenous
- Website
- myerfoundation.org.au
- Financial Year
- 2023
Focus Areas
Board & Leadership (6)
- Edwina Myerdirector
- Jemima Myerdirector
- John Spieringsdirector
- Kathryn Faggdirector
- Nicholas Lindsaydirector
- Rupert Myerdirector
Financials
- Revenue
- $4.0M
- Assets
- $84.8M
Method
- Match Confidence
- registry
- Cross-references
- 2 datasets
- Match Key
- ABN
- Relationships
- 93
Matched by Australian Business Number (ABN) — high confidence. This entity was found across multiple government datasets using the same ABN.
Data Sources
JusticeHub
External LinkThis entity is also tracked in JusticeHub with 0 interventions and 0 evidence records.
External ecosystem profile linked from GrantScope for additional context. JusticeHub content is maintained separately.
View on JusticeHubLocation Intelligence
- Postcode
- 3000
- Locality
- MELBOURNE
- Remoteness
- Major Cities of Australia
- SEIFA Disadvantage
- Decile 4/10
- LGA
- Melbourne
- SA2 Region
- Melbourne CBD - West
- Entities in Area
- 5,213