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.

Young Roots

Young refugees in the UK are shaping their care and support at youth-led ‘hubs’ in London.

The Torch

Supporting First Nations people experiencing incarceration to explore their cultural identity through the visual arts.

Koorie Academy

Bringing pride in culture to young Indigenous people via basketball.

Kent Refugee Action Network

Refugee youth voices are heard and acted on as part of a youth ambassador program in Kent, UK.

Tradeswomen Australia

Giving vulnerable women the opportunity to learn a trade and improving workplace cultures at the same time.

The Community Grocer

Four Melbourne markets are giving low-income families access to affordable, culturally appropriate food and building social cohesion.
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

Meet the grantees boardroom lunch Sydney

A heartwarming gathering to showcase the impactful work of Bennelong Foundation's supported organizations.
Jun 2018
1
min read

Bennelong UK community participate in Pitch In April 2018

Members of the Bennelong Foundation community in the UK participate in Pitch In events through technology, allowing for global collaboration in funding allocation decisions.
Jun 2018
1
min read

A Day at The Wayside Chapel

A heartwarming day spent volunteering at The Wayside Chapel in Sydney, learning about and supporting the homeless community.
Jun 2018
1
min read

5th Annual Bennelong Tan Track Challenge, held at the Royal Botanical Gardens

2016 marked the 5th anniversary of the installation of the Bennelong Foundation’s Tan Track Clocks, with Prue and Paul Stone achieving personal best times and raising funds for the Heart Foundation's 'Jump Rope for Heart' program.
May 2018
1
min read

Seed Foundation Australia – First People’s Health Programme.

Director of Seed Foundation Australia Michael Gleadow & student Bria Cusack discuss the power of supported education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, highlighting the impact of the program on students like Bria who are inspired to pursue higher education and career pathways in health.
May 2018
4
min read

Mercy Works – Mercy Connect Melbourne, Learning Through Connection.

The Mercy Connect programme provides in-school academic support to students from refugee, asylum-seeker, or humanitarian backgrounds, fostering meaningful personal connections and lifelong bonds between volunteer mentors and students.
May 2018
3
min read
"They need the chance to use their voice, to express themselves and to have agency. We give them that through education and employment opportunities."

Dewi Cooke

CEO, The Social Studio

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.