In recent newsletters, I have shared news about the Foundation's commitment to the Investment Dialogue forAustralia's Children (IDAC) and Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE).
In late March, we welcomed an important further development on this front, with the Commonwealth Government's announcement that it will provide up to $50 million towards co-investment alongside philanthropy to build and expand early learning services in areas of need.The philanthropic partners of IDAC have also committed up to $50 million of inprinciple funding, making this one of the most significant co-investments between government and philanthropy inAustralian history
We are also pleased to now announce a $5 million major grant to the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) towards its capital fundraising campaign to create a permanent home at the former South Melbourne Town Hall.ANAM's reimagined home will be a welcoming space accessible to all, creating a place where young artists are supported personally and professionally The facility will be renovated to meetANAM's specific
ANAM musicians playing at a recent gala at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Image: Pia Johnson.
operational and training needs, enabling it to continue providing a pipeline of talent to Australia's orchestras and ensembles, securing the vibrancy of theAustralian music sector for decades.
At our most recent Board meeting, the Governors awarded $7.5 million in major grants to the BendigoArt Gallery, theTomorrowToday Foundation, the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust and Logan Children Friendly Community Limited. These grants represent the Foundation's continued support for place-based organisations that strive to strengthen and develop the resilience of their local communities.
Lastly, I'd like to introduce our newest Governor, Patrick Houlihan, who was appointed to the Foundation's Board in March.
Patrick is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DuluxGroup and has held various technical, commercial, and senior leadership roles in that organisation for many years. He is also Chairman of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, on theAdvisory Council of St Mary’s College at the University of Melbourne, and was formerly on the Board of the Australian Commonwealth Government's Industry Innovation and ScienceAustralia. We are delighted to welcome Patrick and look forward to benefiting from his experience and insights across various sectors.
Paul Conroy
IN THE NEWS
Investing in Australia's Children
Historic investment to help deliver universal early childhood education and care
On 27 March 2025, the Commonwealth Government announced it will provide up to $50 million from its Build Early Education Fund toward co-investment opportunities to help build or expand integrated and holistic early learning services in areas of need.
Philanthropic partners of the Investment Dialogue forAustralia’s Children (IDAC) have also committed to up to $50 million in-principle funding, to bring together early learning, child and maternal health services, and family and community supports.
Philanthropic funding will also be targeted towards initiatives that strengthen a holistic early childhood development system, such as measures to strengthen the not-for-profit sector’s capacity as well as research and evaluation.
The partnership represents one of the biggest co-investments between government and philanthropy inAustralian history GRANTS ROUND UP
$7.5 million in major grants Read more
In March, the Foundation awarded $7.5 million to four major grants
Recipients included BendigoArt Gallery,TomorrowToday Foundation, Karrkad Kanjdji Trust and Logan Child Friendly Community Limited.
Learn more about these organisations and how these grants will support them to consolidate programs, develop capacity and engage with others in their respective sectors.
Read more
FUNDING ROUNDS & OBJECTIVES
Submission dates
Bendigo Art Gallery
Reminder re Community Wellbeing Funding Objectives for 2025
In 2025, the Community Wellbeing program has a specific focus exclusively on projects and organisations operating and/or delivering activities in rural and remote areas of Australia.
Grantseekers wishing to submit EOIs for either of these programs must check that their projects meet the revised funding guidelines in effect for 2025.
Grants
late September 2025
EOIs stage 1April - 15 May
Applications close 31 July 2025
Grants announced mid-December 2025
Funding Round dates
Learnings and feedback
Learnings from past grants
We have recently updated our general learnings from grants and those specific to our all program areas.These documents can be found in our Knowledge Centre under Learnings
General Learnings
Arts Learnings
Community Wellbeing Learnings
Early Childhood Development Learnings
Environment Learnings
Health Learnings
We want your feedback
We are interested in your experience with The Ian Potter Foundation Evaluation Panel (TIPFEP)!
If you have used (or considered using) TIPFEPto engage an evaluator, we would appreciate it if you could complete this short two-minute survey
Your responses will provide valuable insights to the Foundation and help inform the improvement or continuation of TIPFEP.
Complete survey
Helpful Resources
We've been adding more resources for grant partners to our Learning Resource padlet These include expert organisations and services—both free and paid—that we believe may be of interest to not-for-profits.
EVENT
Early Years Policy Summit
ANational Early Years Policy Summit will be held in Brisbane on 17-18 June this year.
Convened by a group of IDAC philanthropic partners in partnership with Queensland PerformingArts Centre (QPAC), the event will occur in the midst of the Out of the Box Children’s Festival.
EVENT
Social Enterprise Job Summit
Join other jobs-focused for-purpose organisations forAustralia's first national Social Enterprise Jobs Summit from 11 - 12 June in Melbourne.
Momentum is building as government, funders and corporate partners see the
Register your interest to joinAustralia’s early years leaders at the Summit and be part of the next wave of change. Details on the full program, ticket inclusions and attendance packages are to be released soon.
value in this work and want to understand how to better support it. While social enterprises are calling out for connection and collaboration, to maximise impact.
Share hard-earned lessons, learn from each other and engage with this growing sector.
NFP SUPPORT ACF for NFPs webinar
ANot-for-Profit's Guide toAustralian Communities Foundation
Tuesday 13 May - Online & free
Australian Communities Foundation is running an online session to help not-forprofit organisations better understand ACF's work. Find out about:
Australia's philanthropic sector and giving structures HowAustralian Communities Foundation supports donors Opportunities to connect with our giving community
How a Future Fund can support your organisation's long-term sustainability
NFP SUPPORT Upcoming Benefolk events
Online webinar series for not-for-profits commencing soon.
Income summit
Workplace Wellbeing Summit
See all events
We produce this quarterly e-newsletter to keep our friends and associates up to date with all the news and recent grants made by The Ian Potter Foundation.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
