Snow Medical to revolutionise immunology research globally with $100 million gift
Fri, 24 Nov 2023
In one of the largest and longest-running philanthropic partnerships in Australian history, the Snow Medical Research Foundation (Snow Medical) announced this week that it will work with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute to establish one of the world’s leading immunology research centres with an initial commitment of $100 million over 10 years. It will be called the Snow Centre for Immune Health, and the emphasis of the funding is to create the long-term capacity to allow scientists to pursue bold research programs. Ongoing investments are expected beyond 10 years.
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Professor Ian Frazer backs double giving, saying philanthropy supports breakthrough research: video
Dee Rudebeck
Fri, 24 Nov 2023
One of Australia’s leading medical researchers, Professor Ian Frazer AC, who co-invented the cervical cancer vaccine, has joined with Philanthropy Australia to call for the nation to double charitable giving to medical research by 2030 from $1.5 billion to $3 billion. Philanthropy Australia has launched a new video telling the story of how philanthropy underpinned virtually all of Professor Frazer's early work.
Australian social cohesion index is lowest in 17 years, says Scanlon report
Dee Rudebeck
Fri, 17 Nov 2023
Key findings from the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute’s annual report, released this week, show that people’s overall social cohesion has fallen and is at its lowest level since the study began in 2007, amid concerns around cost-of-living pressures and the impact of global conflicts. But the report’s lead author says there that while Australia is at a crucial junction, there are positives to build on, particularly that people indicate a strong connection to their local communities.
Paul Ramsay Foundation’s $5m boost to data social enterprise set to create more jobs for neurodivergent people
Fri, 17 Nov 2023
A significant expansion in career pathways for neurodivergent people in data and engineering is set to open following a $5 million boost to one of Australia’s fastest growing work-integration social enterprises from philanthropy. The Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) announced this week that it would partner with Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA) to provide a blended finance package incorporating $2.5 million in grant funding and $2.5 million in impact investment to the social enterprise’s national scaling plans.
White Box Enterprises: social enterprises are key to success for people facing job challenges
Nick Place
Fri, 17 Nov 2023
Getting a job in Australia can be tough. If you’re a First Nations person, living with a disability, a newly arrived Australian or an ex-offender, it’s much tougher. But social enterprise incubator White Box Enterprises is fast developing a track record of start-up successes that are opening up the job market to people who had been facing barriers – one of which has just attracted a $5 million boost in funding from the Paul Ramsay Foundation.
‘Philanthropy is a portrait of readiness,’ says incoming Community Foundations Australia CEO Ian Bird
Dee Rudebeck
Fri, 10 Nov 2023
The expansion and strengthening of the place-based community foundations network is a key plank in Philanthropy Australia's double giving agenda. The network will be instrumental in developing a language and culture of giving at the local level never seen before in this country. As Ian Bird prepares to take on his new role, the internationally recognised for-purpose leader says change is coming – and it will be accessible to all.
Vale Marc Besen AC
Fri, 10 Nov 2023
Marc Besen AC, the renowned philanthropist and co-founder of the Sussan clothing group, passed away this week aged 99. Tributes appeared across the media, remembering Mr Besen warmly. Forbes magazine said he was regarded as “retail royalty” and a legend of business, and to those who knew him best, “he was kind, funny, loyal and incredibly wise”.
