The Bennelong Foundation acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples as the custodians of Country on which we live, learn and work. We recognise their continuing connection to the lands throughout Australia, culture and communities. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Change, not charity.

The Bennelong Foundation works hand in hand with organisations to support participation, empower individuals and strengthen their communities. Because when we are part of something bigger - we all win.

Talent Beyond Boundaries

A new solution for refugees: based on skills, backed by business and enabled by technology.

Funding & investments

Discover how we fund community organisations and invest our resources.

News & insights

Read the latest updates from the Foundation and our partners.

Stories of impact

Be inspired by the tales of changemakers and positive community action.

About us

Learn more about our people, our ambition and our history.

380+

organisations supported by the Bennelong Foundation.

20+

years partnering with community changemakers.

About the Bennelong Foundation

Making meaningful change

Founded by the Bangarra Family Office, the Bennelong Foundation and the Bennelong Foundation UK are the philanthropic arms of the Bangarra Group. In addition to grantmaking and investments, we leverage the assets, time and expertise of the Group to connect business and philanthropy, build social impact leadership and cultivate a culture of giving.

20+

charities funded in Cornwall, London, Kent and Surrey.

5

years funding programs that tackle childhood poverty and promote social inclusion in the UK.

About the Bennelong Foundation UK

Making meaningful change

Founded by the Bangarra Family Office, the Bennelong Foundation UK and the Bennelong Foundation Australia are the philanthropic arms of the Bangarra Group. In addition to grantmaking and investments, we leverage the assets, time and expertise of the Group to connect business and philanthropy, build social impact leadership and cultivate a culture of giving.

Stories of impact

Read how changemakers supported by the Bennelong Foundation create positive change.

Confit Pathways

A journal developed by a former prisoner is empowering incarcerated youth.

Talent Beyond Boundaries

A new solution for refugees: based on skills, backed by business and enabled by technology.

TeamSports4All

A grassroots charity is breaking barriers to sports participation and disrupting cycles of disadvantage.

AYI Centres

African youth in Sydney are finding reasons to stay in school, thanks to a program that gives them cultural belonging.

Worthwhile Ventures

Worthwhile Ventures’ impact stems from listening deeply to the Indigenous business owners it was created to support.

Grandcarers SA

A fund assisting ‘grandcarers’ is relieving financial burdens for multi-generational families.
Funding Insights

Making Meaningful Change.

Founded by the Bangarra Family Office, the Bennelong Foundation and Bennelong Foundation UK are the philanthropic arms of the Bangarra Group. In addition to grantmaking and investments, the Foundations leverage the assets, time and expertise of the Group to connect business and philanthropy, build social impact leadership and cultivate a culture of giving.

22

Years partnering with community changemakers across Australia.

380+

Organisations supported by the Foundation.

Stories of our partnerships

Confit Pathways
I used to run a criminal enterprise, now I run a social enterprise.

Joe Kwon

Founder and CEO, Confit Pathways
Talent Beyond Boundaries
The Bennelong Foundation came in on the ground floor and took a calculated risk. They were our second major funder...they backed the program when we were just forming as an organisation.

Jemma Bailey

ANZ Co-director, Talent Beyond Boundaries
TeamSports4All
It's hard to break cycles of disadvantage, but this charity is doing just that for families.

Simon Davie

CEO, TeamSports4All
AYI Centres
The key difference AYI Centres intends to make is to support these students to feel safe at school.

Bishop Laryea

Founder, African Youth Initiative Centres
News & insights

The latest from the Foundation and our partners

View all

Currently Funding: TarraWarra Museum of Art

Bennelong Foundation funds TarraWarra Museum of Art Education program, exploring contemporary art and modernism within global, national, and Indigenous contexts.
Jul 2021
1
min read

Currently Funding: Women and Mentoring - WAM Limited

Description of a program funded by Bennelong Foundation to support women in the criminal justice system through mentoring and community support.
Jul 2021
1
min read

Currently Funding: Learning Links

Learn about the Counting for Life program by Learning Links, funded by Bennelong Foundation, which provides numeracy support and mentoring for disadvantaged children in Western Sydney schools.
Jul 2021
1
min read

Currently Funding: Discovery Science and Technology Centre

The Girls in STEM project funded by Bennelong Foundation aims to empower girls from disadvantaged schools to become STEM leaders and mentors in their community.
Jul 2021
1
min read

Currently Funding: NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors

Funding provided by Bennelong Foundation supports the #Headstart project by NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) to engage newly arrived refugee young people from Iraqi and Syrian backgrounds with weekly programs and psychosocial support activities.
Jul 2021
1
min read

Currently Funding: 3Bridges Community

The Bennelong Foundation is funding the Aunty Program by 3Bridges Community, providing mentor support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women from vulnerable backgrounds to empower themselves and become role models for others.
Jul 2021
1
min read
“We believe in empowering people by providing them with opportunities they may not otherwise have access to. One small opportunity can kick-start a journey that can be transformational, both for individuals and entire communities."

Carena Shankar

Chairperson, Bennelong Foundation

Working hand in hand with organisations to support participation, empower individuals and strengthen their communities.

FAQs

What type of Foundation are you?

The Bennelong Foundation Australia is a Private Ancillary Fund operating under the regulations of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) and the Australian Tax Office (ATO). It grants to organisations that carry a deductible gift recipient 1 (DGR1) status.

The Bennelong Foundation UK is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) operating under the regulations of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It grants to registered charitable organisations or organisations whose work benefits the community.

What does the Foundation fund?

Our ambition is to give every person the opportunity to shape their future and chase their goals.
Our aim is to increase pathways to economic empowerment, as well as social cohesion and inclusion.
You can find more information about specific funding areas here.

Do you fund capacity-building initiatives for not-for-profits?

Yes.

Who can apply for funding and when?

Australia Foundation
Australia-based not-for-profits with DGR1 status can apply for a 12-month, Community Grant of up to $30,000 in our annual, open grant round. The round typically opens in July each year. Periodically, we invite expressions of interest for multi-year Catalyst Grants or Learning for Life Grants, or to take part in Pitch In events that are led by our Philanthropy & Community Engagement Committee.
Learn more in Grants.

UK Foundation
A small number of UK-based charitable organisations are invited to apply for a 12-month Social Inclusion Grant every year or take part in our UK Pitch In events. Learn more here.  

What is the application process?

When a grant round opens, organisations can submit an expression of interest via the website. The Foundation team will then invite a small number of these organsations to submit a full application. Visit our grants page to check eligibility criteria and read our supporting resources. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on funding opportunities.

Still have questions?

Contact our management team for further information.