Top gifts of 2014

1. Paul Ramsay

Billionaire Paul Ramsay passed away last year but his philanthropic legacy lives on. Ramsay donated the bulk of his $3.2 billion fortune to his own charity, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, marking the largest single philanthropic donation ever recorded in Australia.

Ramsay was widely recognised for his contributions to healthcare, property development and regional television and generously supported many educational and cultural organisations around the nation during his lifetime. Ramsay was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in June 2002 for services to his community.

“Paul’s generosity was very much in keeping with his character while he was alive,” says Simon Freeman, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation. “He was an extremely generous man and a real people person. It came as no surprise to us that he decided to do this.”

“Philanthropic capital is so important. Now that we’ve got this funding we want to use every opportunity we have to enhance Paul’s legacy,” says Freeman.

2. Crown Resorts Foundation and Packer family

Crown Resorts Foundation and the Packer Family Foundation announced a $200 million National Philanthropic Fund last year, marking a partnership of ten years. The National Fund will provide $100 million to eligible charities which promote the arts (the National Arts Fund) and another $100 million to eligible charities which support the broader community and, in particular, indigenous education (the Community Partnerships and Indigenous Education Fund).

Gretel Packer, Chair of the Packer Family Foundation, said at the launch “This exciting collaboration between Crown Resorts and our family creates a platform from which to contribute towards strengthening communities in Australia and developing our artistic future”.

Crown Resorts Foundation’s Chairman James Packer commented, “Today’s announcement commits us to another decade of financial support for organisations which work tirelessly to deliver services, assistance and opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds”.

3. Westpac

To mark its upcoming 200 year anniversary in 2017, last year Westpac launched the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation. The Foundation is a scholarship fund focusing on education and leadership, and is the largest corporate gift and private education scholarship program in Australian history.

Last year Westpac gave a single contribution of $100 million to fund 100 scholarships and awards.

Westpac has a history of philanthropic giving and community outreach, such as through The Family of Giving which encompasses four charitable funds; Westpac Foundation, St George Foundation, Bank of Melbourne Neighbourhood Fund and BankSA and Staff Charitable Fund.

Westpac Group Chairman, Lindsay Maxsted, said of the Foundation, “As we head towards the celebration of our 200th anniversary, we wanted to create a substantial, enduring initiative that would reflect Westpac’s commitment to Australia and its continued prosperity.

The Westpac Bicentennial Foundation is designed to support Australians who are shaping a better Australia, while also supporting and nurturing tomorrow’s leaders, and we are proud to be able to provide around 100 scholarships and awards each year”.

4. Michael Buxton

Last year property developer Michael Buxton donated his $10 million private collection of Australian contemporary art to the University of Melbourne. The Michael Buxton Collection comprises 300 works by 53 of Australia’s prominent contemporary artists, from Bill Henson and Howard Arkley to Tracey Moffat and Emily Floyd.

In addition to the artwork, Buxton donated $16 million to be spent on the construction of a new museum to house the artwork. The museum, to be named the Michael Buxton Centre of Contemporary Arts (MBCOCA), is expected to be completed in 2017 and will be part of the University of Melbourne’s Southbank Campus.

Speaking of the donation, Professor Glyn Davis, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne said, “Thanks to a wonderful partnership with Michael Buxton, this University will give the people of Melbourne unprecedented access to Australia’s finest contemporary art.”

5. BHP Billiton

Last year BHP Billiton committed to donating $20 million to the Telethon Kids Institute in $4 million installments over five years. The funding will be put towards Telethon Kids Institute’s work improving the medical and social welfare of children in Western Australia, and will also aid further research into childhood diseases.

BHP’s donation is part of the BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Community Development Program which focuses on issues of health, education, community and indigenous development in Western Australia.

Telethon Kids Institute Director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, said of the donation, “This very generous support will enable us to create the best environment for researchers to do their work and see it quickly translated into policy or clinical practice so that it really can make a difference to children’s lives.”

“We want to accelerate the discovery process and concentrate our efforts on the really significant issues, diseases and disabilities that are affecting children and families here in WA and beyond,” he said.