Annual Grants Report 2014-15 by The Ian Potter Foundation

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ANNUAL GRANTS REPORT 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15 ianpotter.org.au

HE L L O

The Foundation makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors and endeavours.

Our Vision

Program Areas

A vibrant, healthy and fair Australia.

The Ian Potter Foundation operates nine program areas: the Arts, Community Wellbeing, Education, Environment & Conservation, Health & Disability, Medical Research, Science, Travel, and Conference, and manages the Alec Prentice Sewell Gift.

Our Mission Honour the legacy of founder and benefactor, Sir Ian Potter, and his commitment that the Foundation make a difference to Australia. Maintain a tradition of encouraging excellence and enabling innovation to facilitate positive social change, and develop Australia’s creativity and capacity as a nation.

Funding Principles

Support outstanding charitable organisations, invest in Australia’s innovative and creative people, protect the environment and alleviate disadvantage.

Grant-making across all program areas is underpinned by the following principles:

About the Foundation

A commitment to excellence

The Ian Potter Foundation was established 50 years ago by Australian financier, businessman and philanthropist, Sir Ian Potter (1902–1994). The Foundation is now one of Australia’s major philanthropic foundations. Based in Melbourne, the Foundation makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors and endeavours. Grants are made through nine program areas which reflect Sir Ian’s interest in the arts, and his visionary approach to issues including the environment, science, medical research, education and community wellbeing, as well as the importance of investing in Australia’s intellectual capital. Through its grants, the Foundation seeks to encourage excellence and support Australia’s talent: the visionaries, social entrepreneurs, scientists, academics and researchers, artists and teachers, and those who dedicate themselves to bettering our communities for the benefit of all. Since 1964, The Ian Potter Foundation has contributed over $230 million to thousands of projects, both large and small. Led by its Board of Governors, the Foundation has a strong track record of funding projects that respond decisively to key issues and develop our creativity and capacity as a nation.

Grants DISTRIBUTED SINCE 1964

We support organisations, programs and individuals who are outstanding in their field.

A focus on prevention

To maximise the value of our grants, we try to identify and support projects that address the causes of any problems rather than treat the symptoms. Supporting research is fundamental to this approach.

Encourage innovation

We seek to fund programs and projects that take a new approach to solving problems, especially those that can be evaluated and have potential for expansion and further development.

Sir Ian Potter

Potential for leverage

Our grants have greater impact when combined with support from other sources. These might include other trusts and foundations, government, business or volunteers. We are happy to be one of a number of supporters of a program.

Long-term thinking

We try to fund projects that will continue to have an impact well beyond the period of our grant. The long term sustainability of the project is an important consideration.

Partnerships

We encourage collaborations and partnerships that facilitate combining knowledge and resources to achieve a shared goal.

$231m 2 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 3

HE L L O

The Foundation makes grants nationally to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community across a wide range of sectors and endeavours.

Our Vision

Program Areas

A vibrant, healthy and fair Australia.

Funding Principles

Support outstanding charitable organisations, invest in Australia’s innovative and creative people, protect the environment and alleviate disadvantage.

Grant-making across all program areas is underpinned by the following principles:

About the Foundation

A commitment to excellence

Grants DISTRIBUTED SINCE 1964

We support organisations, programs and individuals who are outstanding in their field.

A focus on prevention

Encourage innovation

We seek to fund programs and projects that take a new approach to solving problems, especially those that can be evaluated and have potential for expansion and further development.

Sir Ian Potter

Potential for leverage

Long-term thinking

We try to fund projects that will continue to have an impact well beyond the period of our grant. The long term sustainability of the project is an important consideration.

Partnerships

We encourage collaborations and partnerships that facilitate combining knowledge and resources to achieve a shared goal.

$231m 2 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 3

G o v e r no r s & Staff ‘Potter placed great weight on the position of the Governors of the Foundation... [he] believed high quality Governors were crucial to the Foundation’s success’ Peter Yule, Ian Potter, A Biography

Board of Governors

Staff

Life Governor Lady Potter AC, OMRI

Chief Executive Officer Janet Hirst

Governors Mr Charles B Goode AC (Chairman)

Administration Manager Gail Lewry

Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC (retired June 2014)

Administration Assistant Sue Wilkinson

Mr Anthony Burgess The Hon Susan Crennan AC, QC (appointed April 2015) Mr Leon Davis AO The Hon Sir Daryl Dawson AC, KBE, CB The Hon Sir James Gobbo AC, CVO, QC Professor Thomas Healy AO Dr Thomas Hurley AO, OBE (retired October 2014) Professor Richard Larkins AO Mr Allan Myers AO, QC Dr P John Rose AO (retired January 2015) Professor Graeme Ryan AC Professor Brian Schmidt AC (appointed August 2015)

New logo of The Ian Potter Foundation, introduced June 2015.

Reception and Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer Helen Atkinson Senior Accountant Stewart Leslie Finance Manager Sally Cliff Senior Manager – Communications Avalee Weir Digital Communications Officer Sara Hearn Senior Program Manager Alberto Furlan Program Managers Claire Rimmer (until December 2014)

Vale John Gough AO John Gough was a Governor of the Foundation from 1994 until 2011. He brought great distinction to his Governorship and served on a number of committees over his years on the Board. Remembered as a man of integrity and vision, John played a pivotal role in bringing a number of the Foundation’s most significant grants to the Board, including large grants to the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Portrait Gallery, the Treasures Gallery at the National Library of Australia, the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), and Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation. The Governors and staff remember John’s considered and thoughtful advice, his kindness and his good humour. He was a true gentleman who will be greatly missed. We express our sincere condolences to his wife Rosemary, his children and grandchildren.

Louise Arkles Nicole McLeod Program Officer Cecilia Gason Research and Evaluation Officer Squirrel Main

4 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Main photo: The staff of The Ian Potter Foundation. Left to right: Stewart Leslie, Cecilia Gason, Alberto Furlan, Helen Atkinson (seated) Janet Hirst, Sara Hearn (standing), Squirrel Main, Louise Arkles, Gail Lewry, Avalee Weir, Nicole McLeod.

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 5

Board of Governors

Staff

Life Governor Lady Potter AC, OMRI

Chief Executive Officer Janet Hirst

Governors Mr Charles B Goode AC (Chairman)

Administration Manager Gail Lewry

Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC (retired June 2014)

Administration Assistant Sue Wilkinson

New logo of The Ian Potter Foundation, introduced June 2015.

Louise Arkles Nicole McLeod Program Officer Cecilia Gason Research and Evaluation Officer Squirrel Main

4 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 5

Chairman’s report

Grants Paid 2014-15

As we enter the Foundation’s second half century, the past year has been a period of change and planning for the future.

240

The celebration of our 50th anniversary in 2014 gave us a chance for reflection and it renewed our appreciation of the importance and impact of the Foundation’s philanthropic grants.

VALUE OF GRANTS

In 2014–15 we paid 240 grants totalling $23.8 million. Amongst these was the first instalment of a $7.8 million grant to Questacon which will be paid over five years; a grant of $600,000 to the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, which will be paid over three years, and a Community Wellbeing homelessness prevention grant of $450,000 over three years to Loddon Mallee Housing Services. These three examples are indicative of the value we are placing on the impact achieved by larger, multi-year grants.

$23.8m

Photo courtesy SIMS Weedy Seadragon Credit Erik Schlogl

The success of the Foundation is due in no small part to its Board of Governors and its staff. Governors bring high levels of expertise and experience, and a passionate commitment to ensuring that the Foundation’s dollars are given to the people who have the ideas and the capacity to make the greatest difference. In his biography of Sir Ian Potter, author Peter Yule noted, ‘Potter placed great weight on the position of the Governors of the Foundation. They had to meet strict criteria of public prominence to qualify the Foundation as a public fund, but beyond that Potter believed high quality Governors were crucial to the Foundation’s success.’ I am proud and grateful that our Governors have a record of staying as members of the Board for many years, developing a good knowledge of the sectors in which we give, the organisations we support, and the critical elements of a successful grant application. Given the long term stability of our Board, this year saw a considerable

6 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The celebration of our 50th anniversary in 2014 gave us a chance for reflection and it renewed our appreciation of the importance and impact of the Foundation’s philanthropic grants. C HA R L ES G O O D E

change in our ranks with the retirement of three Governors and the appointment of two new Governors. Sadly, there was the passing of one of our much-loved Emeritus Governors, Mr John Gough AO, in August 2015. Our longest serving Governor, Dr Thomas Hurley AO, OBE retired after 37 years on the Board. Tom brought a wealth of knowledge and experience which were a great asset to the Foundation’s ability to make informed decisions, especially about major medical research and health grants. Renowned historian Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC retired after 24 years of service to the Foundation, having brought to our deliberations an extraordinary knowledge, insight and a wealth of experience, particularly in the Arts and Humanities, from his various academic positions and other roles, including Chairman of the Australia Council. Dr P. John Rose AO, retired after 15 years on the Board. John’s business acumen and financial judgement have been central to the Foundation’s stability and growth and he played a key role in the Foundation’s successful financial management over many years, as well as making a major contribution to our highly regarded Arts grants program. On behalf of the Governors and staff, I thank each of them for their commitment to the values and principles of our Foundation, and for the quality and magnitude of the work they have done to help the Foundation achieve its mission. We are delighted to have welcomed two new members to the Board this year. Former High Court Judge, The Hon Susan Crennan AC, QC was appointed in April,

bringing a wealth of knowledge, and a deep interest in our society and the Arts. Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt AC, attended his first meeting in August 2015 and he will add to our expertise, particularly in the areas of science and education. We look forward to benefiting from their perspectives and ideas. At the end of 2015, we will farewell Janet Hirst who leaves the Foundation after 10 years as Chief Executive Officer. Janet leaves our Foundation more professional, efficient and purposeful in its philanthropy. She has hired well and improved the quality of our staff, and made significant changes to our grant-making processes including bringing our application, reporting and evaluation processes online. Also, there has been a major improvement in our communications with all parties with whom we interface, including the general community. Janet has guided the Foundation to more strategic grantmaking, and played an important role in the events and celebrations for our 50th Anniversary. Some of our largest and most significant grants were made during Janet’s tenure, including $15 million to the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and $8 million to the Australian Ballet. Further major grants will be announced in the 2015–16 financial year. In addition to championing a focus on organisational

capacity-building for our 50th anniversary commemorative grants, Janet is also associated with a number of our innovative grants such as the whole-of-community Benalla Education Program run by Tomorrow: Today Foundation and Brophy Youth and Family Services’ groundbreaking pornography education project Reality & Risk. On behalf of the Board of Governors, I sincerely thank Janet for her leadership over the last decade and wish her well. She has represented the Foundation with poise and style, and clearly articulated our vision and values. Janet has also made a significant contribution to the broader philanthropic community through her positions on a number of committees and advisory boards, including the council of Philanthropy Australia and the Indigenous Eye Health Program Advisory Board.

Mr Craig Connelly will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer in December 2015. We warmly welcome Craig and look forward confidently to working with him to take the Foundation into its next stage of development. Charles Goode AC

Janet Hirst, Charles Goode and David Harris, President of FareShare, on a tour of FareShare in 2012.

I wish to welcome three new members of staff, Dr Squirrel Main, Sara Hearn and Louise Arkles, and thank all the staff for their dedicated and professional work, which has been essential for carrying out our mission. I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of Claire Rimmer, who left the Foundation in December 2014 to have her first child. We thank her for six years of excellent service as Program Manager for the Arts and Environment & Conservation.

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 7

Chairman’s report

Grants Paid 2014-15

As we enter the Foundation’s second half century, the past year has been a period of change and planning for the future.

240

The celebration of our 50th anniversary in 2014 gave us a chance for reflection and it renewed our appreciation of the importance and impact of the Foundation’s philanthropic grants.

VALUE OF GRANTS

$23.8m

Photo courtesy SIMS Weedy Seadragon Credit Erik Schlogl

6 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Janet Hirst, Charles Goode and David Harris, President of FareShare, on a tour of FareShare in 2012.

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 7

CEO’s report

Over the ten years I have met so many amazing people, have made lasting friendships and am very proud of the work we have done.

As we strive towards the Foundation’s vision of a vibrant, healthy and fair Australia, in 2014–15, the Board of Governors approved 214 new grants totalling $30.7m, the largest annual commitment in our history. The largest grant this year was $7.8 million to Questacon in Canberra to enable this leading science education institution to deliver the Smart Skills Initiative to engage young people with science, technology and innovation. Our grant will enable the program to reach regional and remote areas of Australia, including disadvantaged communities. In October 2014, I joined the Chairman of Questacon, Leon Kempler, and then Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott MP at the opening of Questacon’s Ian Potter Foundation Technology Centre. As the Prime Minister said, ‘this was a big day for science and innovation’. In my speech, I noted that our grant reflects our belief in the need for investment to transition Australia to a technology-focused, innovative, knowledge-based economy. The Foundation’s grant was the largest we ever made outside Victoria, and we consider it to be an investment in the students of today who will be the entrepreneurs, the app developers, the coding engineers and the inventors of tomorrow. Now, almost a year down the track, the Ian Potter Foundation Technology Centre has welcomed 3,000 visitors, and the Smart Skills Initiative has reached almost 8,000 people in communities in four states on its way to delivering on its promise to inspire and empower young people to become involved in design, technology and manufacturing. This is my last CEO Report as in December 2015 I will be leaving the Foundation. Although I remain passionate about the Foundation, what we do and the team I work with, I think that for senior management, ten years is the right time for change. I feel truly privileged to have been CEO at this wonderful Foundation. I have always been fascinated by what makes someone want to give back to their community and why some people have true ‘generosity of spirit’. Sir Ian Potter was obviously such a man, and as we noted in our 50th 8 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

anniversary book, ‘his life was underpinned by the pursuit of excellence, and this principle has been a hallmark of the Foundation’s approach to philanthropy from the outset. By supporting exceptional organisations that share the Foundation’s ambition to effect lasting change, real results are achieved.’ Over the past decade, many things have changed. The introduction of social media, online applications, the delivery of grants in a more transparent and effective manner, and for public ancillary funds, the requirement that the Foundation distributes four per cent of our net assets each year, to name just a few. One of the constants has been the inspirational and committed people that I have continued to meet. There is no doubt that in Australia the sector has grown in size and sophistication, and the increasing professionalism in philanthropy reflects the contribution of leaders who have the vision, the wherewithal and the resources to drive and direct its unique role in bringing about positive change. I still question if enough attention has been paid to the important question of human resources and mentoring people in the sector to deliver their leadership qualities. I hope the conversations started at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Human Resources Centennial Symposium that I attended in late 2013 at Bellagio on Lake Como, are continued, and we see the sector continue to evolve and attract and retain the talent needed to meet today’s complex challenges. I have begun the process of establishing a staff exchange program at the Foundation, which I hope will contribute to the professional development of our staff and our connections with the philanthropic sector internationally in the future. During my tenure, over 2,000 grants were approved with a total value of more than $170 million. It is impossible to single out any individual stand out grant as each one - whether $15 million to the Victorian

Comprehensive Cancer Centre or $2,000 to help a researcher participate in an international conference - has made an important difference. I am proud of the collective impact that all of these grants have had on the Australian community and feel confident that the changes made to the Foundation’s funding objectives and the attention directed to key themes and issues have ensured that our grants are effective and relevant. It has been important to me that I have been able to make a contribution to the broader philanthropic sector, and I have valued the opportunity to contribute as a member of Philanthropy Australia Council and of a number of advisory committees, including the Indigenous Eye Health Advisory Committee, the Advisory Board of Melbourne Women’s Fund, the Committee for the Advancement of Health & Medical Research, the Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP), the Philanthropy and Government Working Group and the Foundation Project. As a sector we have become more engaged with the not-forprofit community, more consultative, more collaborative and as a result, we have become stronger and more effective. The past decade has been a period of significant change and I think the sector will reap the benefits in the years ahead. This consultative approach is also reflected in the Foundation’s decision to participate in the Centre for Effective Philanthropy’s (CEP) Grantee Perception Report and Applicant Perception Report 2015. This is the first time the Foundation has participated in a survey of this nature, which provides comparative data to inform us about questions such as the impact the Foundation is having, how grantees view their relationship with us, suggestions for improvements and whether we are communicating the Foundation’s goals and strategies effectively.

J A N ET HIRST

CEP’s research has found that strong funder-grantee relationships – defined by high quality interactions and clear and consistent foundation communications – are critical to high-performing foundations. As the first Australian foundation to participate in the CEP surveys, our performance has been ranked against 300 foundations from the US, Canada, and the UK, providing a new perspective on our work. The findings will be valuable in informing our grant-making from here on, and I would like to thank the hundreds of grantees and applicants who responded to the questionnaire. It has truly been an amazing time to be the CEO of The Ian Potter Foundation. I remember during my first year, I was told that ‘philanthropy is a cottage industry’. Nothing could be further from the truth now.

will be able to access a new grants database listing all the grants made by the Foundation over the past 51 years. We believe we are the only Foundation in Australia to provide this historical record and resource. And this year we welcomed Dr Squirrel Main as our first Research and Evaluation Officer, reflecting a new emphasis on more reflective, data-informed decisions about our grantmaking, and our desire to support grantees to evaluate the impact of their programs. Over the ten years I have met so many amazing people, have made lasting friendships and am very proud of the work we have done. I have valued the engagement with CEOs of a number of other foundations and the opportunity to share ideas and discuss a range of issues relevant to our roles.

I want to thank the Board of Governors, in particular our Chairman Charles Goode, for the privilege of being the Foundation’s CEO. I am going to miss the wonderful team at the Foundation, who have all joined the management team since I was appointed, and I want to thank them for their commitment, their wise advice and for valuing each other and importantly the ethos of the Foundation. This is an exciting time for a new CEO and I welcome Craig Connelly to the role. Last year we set the wheels in motion for the next 50 years, and I believe the Foundation is positioned to make an even more substantial contribution in the years ahead. Janet Hirst

I am proud to have restructured and consolidated a highly skilled management team at the Foundation, which I believe has improved our grant making and our work as a Foundation. There are now career pathways for grant management staff and avenues for their professional development. Communications has become crucial to the way we work, sharing knowledge and information, engaging with the community, building relationships and enhancing our grant making. As I write this we are about to launch a new mobile-responsive website that offers a much more user-friendly experience for visitors to our site. Grant seekers and people interested in the work of the Foundation, The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 9

CEO’s report

Over the ten years I have met so many amazing people, have made lasting friendships and am very proud of the work we have done.

J A N ET HIRST

FA C TS A N D FI G U RES 2 0 1 4 – 1 5

Focu s on E v a lu a t i on

Percentage of Total Grants $

47.% Arts

Number of Grants 17 Value of Grants $14,433,500

8.3% Community Wellbeing

grants approved

214

Number of Grants 50 Value of Grants $2,553,400

1.3% Education

Number of Grants 11 Value of Grants $398,000

Number of Grants 12 Value of Grants $1,306,550

VALUE OF GRANTS

$30.7m

10 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Total Grants Approved

Number of Grants 13 Value of Grants $1,310,000

27.3% Science

Number of Grants 2 Value of Grants $8,400,000

0.6% The Alec Prentice Sewell Gift

4.3% Environment & Conservation

Number of Grants 30 Value of Grants $1,874,500

4.3% Medical Research

0.5% Conference Number of Grants 19 Value of Grants $158,140

6.1% Health & Disability

In the long run, we envisage that improved evaluation processes will lead to more grantees being able to document their successes - and challenges.

Number of Grants 2 Value of Grants $175,000

0.4% Travel

Number of Grants 58 Value of Grants $125,785

Dr Squirrel Main is an evaluator and data analyst, who is passionate about the power of data to inform and improve project outcomes.

In April 2014, we appointed our first Research and Evaluation Officer Dr Squirrel Main. Squirrel explains the intent and purpose of this heightened focus on evaluating our grants and assisting grantees to do the same... The aim of the Foundation’s evaluation program is to empower grantees to make the most of the long-term impact and leverage of our grants via an outcomesbased approach. We are focusing on three areas: past grants, present applications and future leverage. This year, we began building our evaluation program by incorporating outcomesmeasurement fields into our grant-making database. We started reviewing outcomes from over 900 grants during the past five years to record which grantees had met their intended goals, who was able to leverage further funding and whose long-term outcomes exceeded expectations. This information will help us decide how to direct funding in the future. For example, if our larger science grants consistently show stronger outcomes than our smaller grants, we may favour larger requests within the science program area. We know that outcomes measurement is a difficult task, so we have begun working with grantees to help them in evaluating their success without interfering with their ability to complete their projects. In 2014–15, we started meeting with recipients of larger grants to discuss their evaluation plans. Earlier this year, Janet Hirst introduced the concept of awarding Impact Enhancement Grants to support some grantees in assessing their long-term outcomes and impacts. We have approached several successful past grantees and asked if they would be willing to mentor current grantees through the evaluation process. In addition, we began planning workshops for smaller grantees on setting realistic KPIs and potential outcomes data sources. These workshops will be rolled out in 2015–16. In the long run, we envisage that improved evaluation processes will lead to more grantees being able to document their successes - and challenges. This will enable more grantees to secure ongoing funding through government, social enterprise and other philanthropic sources. Ultimately, this increased leverage will increase our contribution towards a more vibrant, innovative, healthy and fair Australia. Dr Squirrel Main

Number of Grants 214 Value of Grants $30,734,875

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 11

FA C TS A N D FI G U RES 2 0 1 4 – 1 5

Focu s on E v a lu a t i on

Percentage of Total Grants $

47.% Arts

Number of Grants 17 Value of Grants $14,433,500

8.3% Community Wellbeing

grants approved

214

Number of Grants 50 Value of Grants $2,553,400

1.3% Education

Number of Grants 11 Value of Grants $398,000

Number of Grants 12 Value of Grants $1,306,550

VALUE OF GRANTS

$30.7m

10 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Total Grants Approved

Number of Grants 13 Value of Grants $1,310,000

27.3% Science

Number of Grants 2 Value of Grants $8,400,000

0.6% The Alec Prentice Sewell Gift

4.3% Environment & Conservation

Number of Grants 30 Value of Grants $1,874,500

4.3% Medical Research

0.5% Conference Number of Grants 19 Value of Grants $158,140

6.1% Health & Disability

In the long run, we envisage that improved evaluation processes will lead to more grantees being able to document their successes - and challenges.

Number of Grants 2 Value of Grants $175,000

0.4% Travel

Number of Grants 58 Value of Grants $125,785

Dr Squirrel Main is an evaluator and data analyst, who is passionate about the power of data to inform and improve project outcomes.

Number of Grants 214 Value of Grants $30,734,875

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 11

ARTS

FEATURED GRANTS

The Foundation’s Arts funding aims to promote and encourage a vibrant and thriving Arts sector. Grants approved

Through its grants in this area, the Foundation works to help build the calibre and capacity of Australia’s arts organisations and support them to raise the bar of aspiration and achievement. Grants support cultural institutions and organisations in Australia which are distinctive in artistic achievement, imagination and innovation. They also help extend cultural opportunities to regional centres and arts programs at a local level.

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$14.4m

Percentage of total grants

47%

Our well-established focus on encouraging variety, diversity and excellence continues to guide grant-making in this area. Our Arts applications this year saw a wide variety of art forms represented, from music, opera and theatre to sculpture, photography and crafts. We received project proposals from playwrights and creative writers, arts administrators and critics, production designers and curators.

Key themes

Many submissions focused on developing the skills base of arts organisations, arts administrators and practitioners. These capacity-building projects have the advantage of not only supporting the applicant organisation but also strengthening the broader sector, building skills that can be shared across organisations and art forms. For example, a grant of $50,000 was awarded to Theatre Works for the inaugural Australian Directors’ Lab, held as part of the Melbourne Festival 2015. This enabled them to bring the founder of the Lincoln Centre Theater Directors’ Lab to Australia, and saw a cohort of experienced Australian directors work with at least 40 Lab participants.

Future direction

The Foundation seeks to support organisations which embody excellence in their art form – ones that push the boundaries of what can be achieved. In particular, we value projects which take a strategic approach - building skills over a year rather than performances over a week. Guildhouse, which supports South Australian artists, crafts-people and designers, has been awarded $30,000 to develop a pilot mentoring program. Built into the project are plans to document the mentor/mentee relationships with an online publication or short film which can be used to encourage future participants or engage future funders.

The Australian Design Centre Educational Theatrette $44,000 This grant enabled the Australian Design Centre to build a multipurpose education theatrette and flexible workshop in their new home in Sydney. The core of their education program focuses on teaching young people creative thinking skills. Their new education space, which can be modified as required, is now a bespoke, high-tech, engaging workshop that allows designers to work collaboratively with visiting groups of children.

National Gallery of Victoria The NGV Conservation Fellowship $265,000 over two years This grant of $265,000 over two years is to establish a Conservation Fellowship, enabling two post-graduate conservation students to work in the NGV’s conservation department. This is an investment in the next generation of talented conservators which will benefit not only the collections of the NGV, state and regional arts institutions, but also seed the profession with skilled young practitioners to care for Australia’s distributed cultural collections in both public and private ownership.

See list of all Arts grants 2014–15

Black Swan State Theatre Company Resident Artists Program $80,000 This grant enables Black Swan to extend their professional development opportunities for mid-career artists, helping them to build successful and sustainable careers in Western Australia. In an industry which often lacks a clear trajectory for actors, designers and directors, this program provides a strong mentorship for theatre artists, helping to forge networks and establish a vital element of support and connection to the industry at large. The Resident Artists (who can be actors, directors or designers) will be offered positions working on Black Swan’s mainstage productions. They will receive mentoring from a range of theatre experts and training in how to mentor the next generation of theatre practitioners.

Main photo: Black Swan State Theatre Company - Grace Smibert, Brendan Hanson, Luke Hewitt, Jovana Miletic - As You Like It. Photo by Gary Marsh Photography Inset photo courtesy Australian Design Centre

12 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 13

ARTS

FEATURED GRANTS

The Foundation’s Arts funding aims to promote and encourage a vibrant and thriving Arts sector. Grants approved

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$14.4m

Percentage of total grants

47%

Key themes

Future direction

See list of all Arts grants 2014–15

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The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 13

C o m m un i t y W e ll b e i ng

Grants approved

The Community Wellbeing program area focuses on alleviating disadvantage and promoting the general wellbeing of the community. The Community Wellbeing program operated two streams of funding: small grants (up to $50,000) and large grants (more than $50,000). Prevention of homelessness is the focus of the large grants stream in this program area, with an emphasis on early intervention programs that aim to stop the cycle of disadvantage that can lead to homelessness.

FEATURED GRANTS The University of Queensland, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law Tenancy Law Clinic $50,000 over two years This project aims to design and deliver a specialist Tenancy Law Clinic (TLC) in which senior law students will be able to provide residential tenancy law advice and assistance to Queensland tenants. With the help of law student volunteers, individuals at risk of losing their tenancy will have access to legal advice and strategies to maintain their accommodation and avoid becoming homeless. Photo courtesy Tenancy Law Clinic

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$2.5m

Kids Under Cover Kids Under Cover Studio Care $75,000 Kids Under Cover has provided over 2,500 young people with studio accommodation erected in their family’s backyard. This simple solution has prevented these young people from becoming homeless.

The priorities in the Community Wellbeing large grants remained focused on projects aiming to break the cycle of homelessness. As the causes of homelessness are many and varied, the Foundation has supported several projects that address different leading causes, from domestic violence to access to education, with a common goal of supporting individuals to exit the cycle of homelessness. Other priorities in the smaller grants include supporting capacity building of organisations and expanding and duplicating successful models of community support services in other locations.

This project will allow the grantee to develop and implement a monitoring system for the studios so that they can be maintained more effectively and therefore last longer (studios are relocated when needed), thus helping more young people and their families.

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

8.3%

The community sector has been significantly impacted by government funding rearrangements. Now, more than ever, organisations are seeking to deliver on their mission through collaborative and more cost-effective programs. In the past year, key themes in applications have included service delivery rationalisation, effective use of volunteers, capacity building, collaborations, dissemination and ‘scaling-up’. Now a consolidated model, social enterprise is much more present in the sector and is viewed as a viable solution, both in terms of revenue generation and mission fulfilment. In the 2015 financial year, the Foundation continued to support the social enterprise sector with seven grants.

Future direction

See list of all Community Wellbeing grants 2014–15

In the coming year the Foundation will maintain the same priorities, but applications that seek funding for multi-year projects, and are structured around collaboration and sustainability, will be prioritised. As we now have a dedicated research and evaluation officer, particular attention will be given to projects which collect and use data to inform best practice methodology. We will support the community sector by providing grantees with guidance in evaluation practices and indicators. We will encourage projects that are keen to share knowledge in best practice, and projects whose learnings can enhance the capacity of the not-for-profit and the philanthropic sectors.

14 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Photo courtesy Kids Under Cover

Ganbina Jobs 4U2 Expansion $150,000 over three years Ganbina has been successfully providing young Indigenous people in the Shepparton (Victoria) area with pathways through school and into employment. Over 80 per cent of young people who enrol in their Jobs4U2 program complete their course activities and hundreds of young Indigenous people are empowered to complete their education, undertake tertiary or vocational training and secure employment. Over the next three years this grant will help Ganbina to support other organisations to implement its successful model. Photo courtesy Ganbina

C o m m un i t y W e ll b e i ng

Grants approved

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$2.5m

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

8.3%

Future direction

See list of all Community Wellbeing grants 2014–15

14 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Photo courtesy Kids Under Cover

Educ a t i on

Grants approved

$398k

Small grants ($50,000 and under) focused on early intervention initiatives that improve school readiness in children and/or parental engagement, along with programs that provided students with basic material, personal and learning support.

Current priorities

Many small grants were awarded this year, with two larger grants providing further support for projects previously supported by the Foundation. A grant of $75,000 was awarded to Good Beginnings for The Wellbeing of East Gippsland’s Children & Youth Initiative, (featured right). A second grant of $108,000 was awarded to the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies (ACPNS) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to bring more international academics to the university as part of The Ian Potter Foundation Visiting Scholars program.

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

1.3%

See list of all Education grants 2014–15

Sydney Story Factory Community Outreach Trial Program $20,000 Sydney Story Factory was awarded a small grant to work with local community groups and Indigenous organisations in Sydney to expand their at-capacity creative writing programs to reach marginalised young people in the community. Of student enrolments, 65 per cent were Indigenous and 17 per cent were from language backgrounds other than English (targeting a disadvantaged group). Workshops ranged in length from six to ten weeks, with each student receiving an average of almost eight hours’ tuition.

The Foundation is committed to supporting strategic, whole-community approaches to education in order to make real, long-term improvements to education and employment outcomes in Australia.

The large grants supported initiatives within disadvantaged communities – those that work with families, communities, schools and individuals to improve educational, employment and community outcomes, as well as research and evaluation that promoted documenting best practice approaches to bettering educational outcomes. VALUE OF GRANTS

FEATURED GRANTS

Literacy development was a recurring theme in the Education projects supported this year, with more than half of the grants awarded focused on child literacy. Reading Out of Poverty was supported to develop partnerships with early childhood centres and services in the Dandenong region in Victoria to encourage young children to develop a love and habit for reading. United Way Australia was awarded a grant to provide the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to children in out-of-home care, as well as an Impact Enhancement Grant to assist in evaluating the first year of the program. Griffith University was awarded a grant for a home-based intervention in which parents are supported by therapists and pre-service teachers to help children with communication difficulties become more independent and able to transition to school more easily.

Future direction

Recognising the importance of parental and community participation in successful education outcomes, in the year ahead our focus will be on supporting innovative programs delivered in early childhood centres and in primary and secondary schools that foster parental engagement in children’s learning, as well as programs that increase wider community involvement in student learning.

Photo courtesy Sydney Story Factory

Good Beginnings Australia Wellbeing of East Gippsland’s Children & Youth Initiative $75,000 Good Beginnings is a well-respected early years’ service provider that works with vulnerable families in East Gippsland. The Foundation funded their report State of East Gippsland’s Children and Youth in 2013, which showed the emotional wellbeing of children and young people in the region to be lower than the Victorian state average. Incidents of family violence, substance misuse and rates of children and young people with disabilities who require assistance have all increased. This grant will support the development of The Wellbeing of East Gippsland’s Children & Youth Initiative, an action plan that will respond to the identified problems and address the data gaps in the first report, also supported by the Foundation. Photo courtesy Good Beginnings Australia (now Save the Children)

Ardoch Youth Foundation Early Years Volunteer Training $40,000 The Foundation provided support to Ardoch to develop the ‘Talking the Talk’ program in 2012 which provides oral language development. This early years volunteer training program will build on this model by incorporating the training and learnings into the volunteer training and manual, equipping volunteers with the knowledge to build vulnerable children’s literacy, play and language. This program will also enable Ardoch to recruit and train another 40–60 volunteers to meet growing demand. Photo courtesy Ardoch Youth Foundation

16 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Educ a t i on

Grants approved

$398k

Current priorities

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

1.3%

See list of all Education grants 2014–15

The Foundation is committed to supporting strategic, whole-community approaches to education in order to make real, long-term improvements to education and employment outcomes in Australia.

FEATURED GRANTS

Future direction

Photo courtesy Sydney Story Factory

16 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

En v i r on m e n t & C on s e r v a t i on

Grants approved

VALUE OF GRANTS

$1.3 m

Percentage of total grants

4.3%

See list of all Environment & Conservation grants 2014–15

FEATURED GRANTS

The Foundation’s Environment & Conservation program area supported Australian urban and regional communities to live sustainably and preserve biodiversity in the face of challenges such as land degradation, limited water resources and climate change. Through its small grants program (up to $20,000), the Foundation aimed to increase public awareness and volunteer involvement in addressing the environmental challenges facing urban and rural Australia. We want to encourage the development of policies that promote the economic and ecological sustainability of our communities. Large Environment & Conservation grants (over $100,000) supported research and programs that promote sustainable approaches to agriculture, opportunities within the carbon economy and land management practices that encompass a landscape-scale approach to protecting areas of high conservation value.

Current priorities

This year, for the first time, we opened our Environment & Conservation program to applications in all three funding rounds, ramping up our grants in this area. We have seen more applications from universities than in previous years, alongside applications from small volunteer groups, national resource management groups and national environmental non-government organisations. In part, this may reflect contracted government funding in this area.

Key themes

Whether on private or public land, in coastal or inland environments, land managers and those working to conserve our waterways and marine environments are faced with the same sets of challenges – fighting native species extinction, ecosystem protection, combating the threat of invasive species and landscape/seascape restoration. In many cases, just recording what environmental assets we have, and what we have lost, is a major – but crucial – undertaking. A number of projects focus on gathering baseline data to ensure that their interventions can be monitored and evaluated, and their efficacy and impact measured over time.

Future directions

In the year ahead the Foundation is keen to support organisations that work collaboratively with other NGOs or institutions, or with government, universities or community groups, to bring about change which has sector-wide benefits. Applications which clearly articulate the multiple benefits of the project, which may have broad rippleeffects for communities, habitats or multiple species, are particularly welcome.

Fauna and Flora International Australia Reducing marine microplastic pollution , The Good Scrub Guide - Australia $19,550 This project is part of a larger effort to find solutions to the burgeoning problem of marine debris and plastic pollution in our oceans and waterways. The grant enabled the research and publication of information on the extent to which microplastics are contained in personal care products in Australia. The resulting database contains information on microplastics found in 248 face-scrubs and exfoliators. This is the first step in public awareness of the problem, and towards the ultimate goal of changing consumer behaviour and phasing out microplastics that cause such damage to marine ecology.

Birdlife Australia Engaging the Community in Conserving Shorebirds and Beach-nesting Birds along Coastal Northern Queensland $40,000 This community engagement project aims to encourage the local community to participate in bird monitoring and conservation around Mission Beach in coastal North Queensland. Several free workshops will create greater public awareness and volunteer engagement in the conservation of shorebirds and beachnesting birds, focusing on their habitats, threats, management issues and their role in the local ecosystem. The intention is that a proportion of attendees will sign up as long-term volunteers and contribute their observation data to BirdLife Australia’s Shorebirds 2020 project database and to an international database of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. Of the amount awarded, $20,000 was an Impact Enhancement Grant.

Reef Life Survey Improved public knowledge and conservation of the marine environment through strengthening the Reef Life Survey Foundation $278,000 over two years Following the success of their ambitious and successful research and monitoring program – including the publication of two articles in prestigious science journal Nature and a Eureka Prize – Tasmaniabased Reef Life Survey Foundation has been awarded a grant to address threats to the marine environment. This capacity-building grant is to bring in expertise to develop a business plan and employ their first paid staff member to establish a suite of ongoing surveys at long-term monitoring sites then ensure dissemination of data and comprehensive communication of findings.

Main photo courtesy Birdlife Australia Inset photo courtesy Reef Life Survey

18 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 19

En v i r on m e n t & C on s e r v a t i on

Grants approved

VALUE OF GRANTS

$1.3 m

Percentage of total grants

4.3%

See list of all Environment & Conservation grants 2014–15

FEATURED GRANTS

Current priorities

Key themes

Future directions

Main photo courtesy Birdlife Australia Inset photo courtesy Reef Life Survey

18 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 19

Health & Disabilit y

Grants approved

VALUE OF GRANTS

$1.9m

The enormous scope and need for innovation in health service delivery and preventative health and medicine underlies the Foundation’s Health & Disability program. Our main priorities are to promote good health for all Australians and improve outcomes for people living with disability. Research and development in public health and preventative medicine initiatives are important aspects of the Foundation’s Health & Disability grants program, as is support for new technology and knowledge sharing initiatives. Grants are awarded to projects that focus on disease prevention and help improve the quality of life for those living with disability or illness.

FEATURED GRANTS National Stroke Foundation enableme: Adaptive Technology for People Who Have Had a Stroke $450,000 over three years This project will develop an adaptive-technology web platform that will improve the quality of life for stroke survivors and significantly reduce the impact of stroke on the Australian community. This innovative adaptive technology will allow user experience to be personalised according to the needs of the individual. For example, an individual with vision impairment in his or her left eye will be shown content on the right side of the screen. Individuals with aphasia (language impairment) will be shown content specifically relating to their condition. Photo courtesy National Stroke Foundation

Current priorities

Independent Living Centre of WA Inc. Transforming the ILC National Equipment Database $100,000

The priorities of the Health and Disability program area have not substantially changed in 2015. The focus is still on projects that aim to enhance the lives of people living with disabilities and/or health conditions. The Foundation has focused on supporting organisations that identified innovative ways to tackle important issues such as stroke rehabilitation, alcohol and other drug addiction and assistive technology for people living with disabilities.

This project will improve the National Equipment Database, a web-based database of Assistive Technology comprising over 11,000 items. This project ultimately aims to reduce the search time and provide the most relevant information for every individual’s particular needs. The new database will allow users to find what they are looking for in the location they would like to buy it and within a certain price range.

Such innovations included the implementation of new web-based technology through a grant to the National Stroke Foundation, collaborative programs sharing data across multiple health registries, and evidence-based strategies addressing the causes of addiction. Percentage of total grants

6.1%

See list of all Health & Disability grants 2014–15

Working smarter rather than harder seems to be a trend in the applications we have seen. Often dictated by a diminishing funding pool, organisations come together to develop programs that are more targeted and start from an informed and evidence-based point of view so that results can be achieved, key learnings can be shared and successes can be duplicated. Projects that are collaborative in nature, underpinned by knowledge-sharing, were prioritised. In doing this we are able to provide support at a sector level, rather than a single organisation.

Future direction

A key focus of the Foundation’s community funding has been finding pathways that facilitate social inclusion and employment. Projects addressing social isolation and training and employment for people living with disability are an ongoing priority. It is important that the programs lead to self-sufficiency and sustainability over time and demonstrate collaboration with other organisations and agencies working in the sector.

20 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Photo courtesy Independent Living Centre of WA

Key trends

Butterfly Foundation Insights in Recovery $50,000 This grant will enable the Butterfly Foundation to translate knowledge from lived experience into a framework of recovery oriented practice for people with eating disorders. This is a three-stage project that will explore what is already known about the universal experience of recovery through the lens of eating disorders and contribute to an understanding of what practices, policies and service models resonate and connect with sufferers, thus increasing engagement and motivation for treatment and self-sustained recovery in the future. This information will inform research and clinical practice.

Health & Disabilit y

Grants approved

VALUE OF GRANTS

$1.9m

Current priorities

Independent Living Centre of WA Inc. Transforming the ILC National Equipment Database $100,000

6.1%

See list of all Health & Disability grants 2014–15

Future direction

20 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Photo courtesy Independent Living Centre of WA

Key trends

Medical Research

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

The Medical Research program area prioritises support for world-class biomedical research to bring new preventions and cures closer to reality through the use of new technology, innovative practices and knowledge. Many of our grants support major initiatives by leading Australian research institutes, universities and teaching hospitals, the anticipated benefits of which are likely to advance the research outcomes of the institution as a whole. We also place emphasis on research into major diseases.

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$1.3m

While the priorities for this area have not changed – the focus is still on supporting the purchasing of major medical research equipment – particular attention has been given to projects that are best placed to both lead to significant breakthrough discoveries and increase the operational capacity of the organisation.

Key themes

New technology is greatly enhancing the power of medical research, but to keep up with this technology means expensive new equipment is required. Therefore, it is more important than ever that these costly research platforms are shared between research laboratories and often between institutions. Applications made on behalf of collaborative networks are increasing, which is a positive development.

Future direction

Percentage of total grants

4.3%

See list of all Medical Research grants 2014–15

We continue to be interested in the advances in genomics which are leading to progress in individualised treatment. Research into the structure of proteins is allowing progress in the production of specifically designed drugs, and this is considered another key area. Huge amounts of data are being produced and the handling of these using bioinformatics is becoming increasingly important in medical research. The Foundation will maintain its focus on investments in equipment, collaboration and innovation, and supporting excellence in medical research.

Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute Establishment of multicolour quantitative tissue imaging equipment for the onco-immunology and experimental pathology unit $450,000 This grant will provide funding towards the purchase of a Vectra system in collaboration with ONJCRI research partners. This new research facility will strengthen the institute’s capacity in the immunotherapy methodology of treating cancer. The system enables visualization of multiple cell types within a single tumour and thereby characterises normal (immune-system) and abnormal cells within the sample to define their relationships. The system is a key instrument for the onco-immunology unit and will allow them to comprehensively analyse each patient’s cancer and immune make-up to identify biomarkers of treatment response. This will inform the selection of patients for clinical trials with immune therapeutics and their stratification.

The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network The Westmead Super-Resolution Microscope Initiative $100,000 This grant will assist leveraging of future grant funding to establish super-resolution (SR) microscopy at Westmead. This revolutionary Nobel Prize-winning technology is allowing researchers to view single proteins down to 20nm in size (50,000 times smaller than 1mm) in action in living cells. Establishing SR capability will enable Westmead researchers to characterise the building blocks of living systems and how they fail to fulfil their correct role during disease. This project is highly collaborative in nature and will develop the research capacity of the entire Westmead Campus.

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Automation for the High-Throughput Sequencing Facility $100,000 This grant seeks funding to purchase a robotic workstation, called the Ion Chef, which will automate the repetitive labour intensive tasks required for preparing and loading a proton sequencing chip. The ultimate goal is to provide a premier sequencing service to VCCRI laboratories that depend on high throughput sequencing for their research against heart disease. The Ion Chef will help them achieve this goal by improving the efficiency and reproducibility of the VCCRI sequencing facility.

Main photo courtesy Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

22 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 23

Medical Research

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$1.3m

Key themes

Future direction

Percentage of total grants

4.3%

See list of all Medical Research grants 2014–15

Main photo courtesy Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

22 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 23

Sc i e nc e

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

A central focus of our Science program area is support for exceptional scientists with the aim of making long-term contributions to thinking and knowledge in Australia. Our grants strategically fund opportunities for promising early-career researchers. Grant-making in this area is directed to support for innovative scientific research driven by leading institutions and initiatives that increase our understanding and knowledge of Australia’s biodiversity and its ecological sustainability.

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$8.4m

The Science program did not open to applications in 2014–2015. The Board chose to focus on supporting two, large scale, multi-year projects instead. This was the first year this approach has been taken. Typically, only small research projects are funded. One of these grants was for $7.8m – the largest the Foundation has awarded through our Science and Education programs to date – awarded to Questacon to support the Smart Skills Initiative to be delivered in rural and regional communities around Australia over the next five years.

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

27.3% See list of all Science grants 2014–15

It is clear that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education in Australia remains an ongoing priority and focus for the community. The Foundation support for Questacon’s Smart Skills Initiative reflects the importance of investing in the transition to the technology-focused, innovative, knowledge-based economy that is vital for our future. The World Harbour Project reflects a global concern for environmental factors within the urban context.

Future directions

Questacon Smart Skills Initiative $7.8m over five years This initiative features a number of innovative STEM-related elements, including professional learning for teachers, regional touring workshops and invention conventions. It is hoped that after five years, a legacy will be left behind in regional and rural communities that will enable them to continue these activities with their own inspired and engaged teachers, students and communities.

Collaboration and partnerships are becoming increasingly important features of the projects the Foundation supports. Projects that will benefit and involve multiple organisations and researchers are more likely to be competitive. We also place a strong emphasis on leverage in the Science program, the objective of which is to support early career researchers and high quality research where there is strong support from the host institution.

Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) The World Harbour Project (WHP) $600,000 over 3 years This grant assisted SIMS to lead The World Harbour Project (WHP), which aims to facilitate, link and develop programs of research and management across urban harbours of the world. The WHP will enable SIMS to produce a series of review and recommendation papers that will benchmark Sydney Harbour against world’s best practice in key areas for urban waterway management. This will be done by engaging partner cities in a global comparison of risk factors in the management of urban waterways.

Main photo courtesy Questacon Inset photo courtesy Sydney Institute of Marine Science

24 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 25

Sc i e nc e

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$8.4m

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

27.3% See list of all Science grants 2014–15

Future directions

Main photo courtesy Questacon Inset photo courtesy Sydney Institute of Marine Science

24 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 25

C on f e r e nc e

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

The sharing, exchange and dissemination of knowledge is another aspect of our contribution to building capacity within Australia’s not-for-profit sector. This unique program assists organisations to bring keynote speakers of international renown to Australia. The speakers impart their knowledge and expertise to conference delegates in Australia to inspire new thinking and foster learning. Conference grants demonstrate how relatively small sums can have a significant impact. The ripple effect of a new approach or way of thinking can make a substantial difference to a not-for-profit organisation, and inspire new ways of working, spark new research and create networks and knowledge-sharing frameworks.

VALUE OF GRANTS

$158 k

Grants made through this program area assist with the travel and accommodation costs of hosting an international keynote speaker.

Current priorities

This year saw a 100 per cent increase in the number of applications received in the Conference program area, resulting in a highly competitive situation for applicants as the grant budget remained similar to the previous year. As ever, the priority in this program is to support excellent organisations that have the opportunity to bring out high calibre keynote speakers and the capacity to attract a strong contingent of delegates.

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

0.5%

See list of all Conference grants 2014–15

Although we do not prioritise one sector over another in this area, of the 19 grants approved, nine were in the health and medical research sector. We also funded four conferences in the arts and humanities sector, three in the social sector, two in science and one in engineering.

Future direction

The Conference program is unique to The Ian Potter Foundation and the increasing demand for grants indicates its continuing relevance and significance. We consider these grants to be an effective way to impact a large number of people and invest in professional development for practitioners across the spectrum of the NFP sector, providing inspiration, ideas and knowledge that has a ripple effect for the community.

Parkinson’s South Australia Keynote speakers for the parkinson’s australia national conference, in this together, adelaide $11,500 The conference brought together members of the Parkinson’s community from all around Australia and New Zealand and presented the latest in research, treatments, management strategies, community and allied health responses that aim to improve the lives of the 80,000 Australians who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. A closer working relationship with Parkinson’s NZ was developed as a result of the conference and the possibility of collaboration with them on the next conference. The funded speakers, Professor Caroline Tanner and Professor Roger Barker, were interviewed by the ABC.

Main photo: Professor Caroline Tanner addresses delegates at the Parkinson’s Australian National Conference.

26 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

RMIT College of Design and Social Context keynote speakers for the international symposium on the art of independent publishing, melbourne $6,900 The inaugural International Symposium on the Art of Independent Publishing investigated the contribution that independent publishing can make to the future of the cultural sector. The symposium considered both the significance of publishing for artistic practice and the significance of publishing as practice. The funded speakers, Eleanor Vonne Brow and Stuart Bailey, brought an important international perspective to the conference, and fuelled local debate in this growing area, which spans various fields in the arts and cultural industries.

Marfan Association Victoria Ltd reed e. pyeritz md, phd, to attend as keynote speaker, the first marfan syndrome health conference, melbourne $9,000 The attendance of Reed Pyeritz, a world renowned expert on Marfan Syndrome, was integral to the success of this conference. Not only did he present the latest world research at the conference but his high profile helped the organisers to attract other high calibre speakers for the conference program, resulting in a worldclass line-up for the benefit of delegates.

C on f e r e nc e

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

VALUE OF GRANTS

$158 k

Grants made through this program area assist with the travel and accommodation costs of hosting an international keynote speaker.

Current priorities

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

0.5%

See list of all Conference grants 2014–15

Future direction

Main photo: Professor Caroline Tanner addresses delegates at the Parkinson’s Australian National Conference.

26 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Travel

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

As one of the few philanthropic organisations to offer a travel grants program, the Foundation has had a steadfast commitment to this initiative, dating from the Foundation’s establishment in 1964. This program enables promising early-career academics and researchers to present their work at international conferences and exchange knowledge with their peers through participation in professional development opportunities. While most Travel grants are awarded to university-based researchers, they are also available to TAFE staff and the staff of any eligible organisation that may have similar potential and opportunity.

RMIT University International Conference on Information and Automation for Sustainability $2,000 This Travel grant assisted Dr Ruwini Edirisinghe from the Centre for Construction Work Health and Safety Research to attend the 7th International Conference on Information and Automation for Sustainability in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She was able to present and disseminate her research, chair a session and to receive feedback from stellar researchers in the field. Her participation at the conference presented an ideal opportunity to establish new research collaborations. Photo courtesy Dr Ruwini Edirisinghe

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$126k

As was the case in the Conference program area, we received a significant increase in the number of applications received for Travel grants. Supporting early career researchers to attend conferences and training enhances the researcher’s professional development, and develops their research through valuable feedback from and collaboration with contemporaries in their field. Ultimately, these benefits filter through to the wider community through their research and are an investment in Australia’s best and brightest minds.

Griffith University 15th International Congress of Biorheology and the 8th International Conference on Clinical Hemorheology $2,000 This Travel grant enabled Griffith University’s David Michael Simmonds to attend these two conferences in Seoul, South Korea. In attending, he was able to gain an insight into work that is taking place worldwide in his field of research and gather invaluable feedback that will greatly benefit his research and future career.

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

0.4%

See list of all Travel grants 2014–15

Travel grants are awarded across all academic disciplines and a cornucopia of specialist research areas. This year the majority of grants were awarded to recipients working in health and medical research, followed by engineering. Pleasingly we saw an increased number of applications and grants from states other than Victoria, with 30 per cent of grantees hailing from Queensland and 17 per cent from New South Wales.

Future direction

The Foundation continues to place considerable significance on the importance of these small grants that can make a big difference.

Centre for Eye Research Australia Limited (CERA) United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Symposium $2,500 This Travel grant assisted CERA’s Dr Isabel Lopez Sanchez to attend the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Symposium: Mitochondrial Medicine 2015 in Washington DC, USA, and to visit the Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at the Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to gain new knowledge in deep sequencing analysis of the human mitochondrial genome. Photo courtesy Dr Isabel Lopez Sanchez

28 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

Travel

Grants approved

FEATURED GRANTS

Current priorities

VALUE OF GRANTS

$126k

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

0.4%

See list of all Travel grants 2014–15

Future direction

The Foundation continues to place considerable significance on the importance of these small grants that can make a big difference.

28 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

T h e Al e c P r e n t i c e S e w e ll Gift

Grants approved

VALUE OF GRANTS

$175k

Grants made through The Alec Prentice Sewell Gift aim to improve the opportunities available for disadvantaged children and lay the foundations for positive future health, social and educational outcomes. The Foundation doesn’t accept applications to this area – grants are made through other program areas, including the Arts, Community Wellbeing, Education and Environment, reaching children of varying ages and circumstances. The common thread of the grants is that they support education and encourage an interest in the environment, or the arts and literature, to create opportunities for personal development and assist children to overcome barriers that may limit their achievement.

Current priorities

The Alec Prentice Sewell (APS) Gift is a sub-fund that the Foundation manages. The fund was established in 2003–2004 by Mr Alec Prentice Sewell (1909–2003) to provide children and young people with access to programs and experiences that will increase the likelihood of their reaching their full potential. In 2014, the Gift celebrated its 10th anniversary, having distributed 46 grants with a total value of $3.6m since it was established. The APS Gift continues to focus on innovative education programs that promote equity of opportunity for all children. Given the number of grants and commitments made in 2013–2014, we awarded just two grants through the Gift this year.

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

0.6%

See list of all Alec Prentice Sewell Gift grants 2014–15

FEATURED GRANTS

The two grants awarded this year were directed to quite different, yet equally inspiring projects – one focussed on literacy, the other on the environment – that will undoubtedly enrich the lives of young people and support the objectives of the Gift. A grant to 100 Story Building is helping this impressive small organisation develop a school community literacy project in the western Melbourne local government areas of Brimbank and Maribyrnong. This project will improve their financial sustainability by providing a social enterprise stream for the organisation and simultaneously enabling them to deliver more outreach programs to schools reaching more disadvantaged children in Victoria. A smaller grant was awarded this year to the National Trust of Australia to develop a Kids’ Garden Safari program at the Everglades Historic House and Garden in Leura, NSW. The program is aimed at children aged between three and six years, and seeks to encourage them to investigate and relate to the environment, both structured and natural, of the Everglades Historic House and Gardens.

National Trust of Australia (NSW) Kids’ Garden Safari, Everglades Historic House and Garden, Leura $25,000 Everglades currently attracts 30,000 visitors annually, of which roughly 2,000 are children, but the property has not had an educational program to engage children. The Kids’ Garden Safari is a community-based initiative that aims to attract an increased number of families to the property and teach young children about the property and plants. Similar in intention to the two Ian Potter Children’s Gardens previously supported by the Foundation, this project aims to shift children away from technology and get children and their families engaging with nature and the outdoors.

Future directions

The APS Gift will maintain its focus on creating opportunities that will assist children to overcome barriers that may be limiting their achievement.

Main photo courtesy 100 Story Building

Pigeons Projects 100 Story Building School Community Literacy Project $150,000 over three years Over the last three years, the 100 Story Building has developed its profile and attracted increasing philanthropic support, media attention and recognition in the sector. This project seeks to build upon this success and develop a scalable and replicable fee-for-service model and evaluation framework that can be delivered in low SES schools. Locally, there are more than 6,500 students across 44 schools in the western Melbourne local government areas of Brimbank and Maribyrnong who fell within the bottom quartile of socio-educational advantage in 2012. This program model will respond to this need, with a projection of becoming self-sustaining within the next three years, and scope for further development and growth. It is also anticipated that it will deliver income for other expense areas in 100 Story Building’s budget.

Inset photo courtesy Everglades Historic House and Garden

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The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 31

T h e Al e c P r e n t i c e S e w e ll Gift

Grants approved

VALUE OF GRANTS

$175k

Current priorities

Key themes

Percentage of total grants

0.6%

See list of all Alec Prentice Sewell Gift grants 2014–15

FEATURED GRANTS

Future directions

The APS Gift will maintain its focus on creating opportunities that will assist children to overcome barriers that may be limiting their achievement.

Main photo courtesy 100 Story Building

Inset photo courtesy Everglades Historic House and Garden

30 The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15

The Ian Potter Foundation Annual Grants Report 2014–15 31

The Ian Potter Foundation Level 3, 111 Collins St Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia 03 9650 3188 admin@ianpotter.org.au ABN 42 004 603 972