THE TRUSTEE FOR THE IAN POTTER FOUNDATION

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Corporate Foundation|ABN 77950227010|www.ianpotter.org.au ACNC Register →

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Annual Giving

$500K

Grant Range

$10K – $5.0M

Programs

3 (1 open)

Tips for Applicants

The foundation has an eligibility quiz on their website for potential applicants. They prefer organisations with strong track records and evidence-based approaches. The foundation values collaborative projects and tends to fund organisations that address gaps in government funding. Grantseekers should demonstrate innovation, scalability, and the ability to measure impact. The foundation conducts regular stakeholder surveys to improve processes, suggesting they value feedback and continuous improvement. Multi-year funding may be available for established partners. Organizations should align with one of six program areas: Arts, Community Wellbeing, Early Childhood Development, Environment, Medical Research, or Public Health.

Giving Philosophy

The foundation believes in providing 'risk capital for social innovation' through evidence-led collaborative philanthropy. It focuses on supporting outstanding organisations with untied operational funding, investing in innovative and collaborative translational research, and leveraging its funding with like-minded funders to support vulnerable community sectors. The foundation conducts regular grantee surveys (every five years with CEP) to continually improve its approach and maintains a commitment to addressing gaps in government funding while using its reputation to draw attention to crucial issue areas.

Notable Grants

■$5 million to Watertrust Australia (Australian Water and Catchment Centre) with co-funding from The Myer Foundation

■$1.1 million COVID-19 focused grants in April 2020

■$535,000 in seven Community Support COVID-19 grants

■$500,000 co-funding with Victorian and Australian governments for National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce

■$200,000 to Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) for Community Foundations network

■$150,000 to Philanthropy Australia for sector advocacy

■$500,000 to Australian Academy of Science for Ian Potter House renovation

■$5 million for Ian Potter National Conservatory project

ACNC Financial History

Year	Grants Given	Revenue	Total Assets	Net Assets
FY2023	$46.2M	$41.2M	$888.1M	$786.6M
FY2022	$41.6M	$37.5M	$831.2M	$742.6M
FY2021	$26.0M	$62.4M	$916.9M	$830.8M
FY2020	$42.0M	$37.0M	$709.6M	$623.4M
FY2019	$45.0M	$37.3M	$755.4M	$680.9M
FY2018	$24.4M	$37.5M	$708.8M	$650.8M
FY2017	$35.4M	$35.4M	$643.9M	$584.6M
7yr total	$260.6M	Source: ACNC Annual Information Statements

Programs & Opportunities (3)

1 open · 2 closed · sorted by deadline · last checked 1 March 2026 (68 days ago)

Round 1, 2026 - Environment (EOI)

Grantclosed

Expressions of Interest for the Environment program area are open for Round 1, 2026.

Closes 11/12/2025Apply →

Round 1, 2026 - Medical Research (Applications)

Grantclosed

Applications for the Medical Research program area are open for Round 1, 2026. Grants will be announced late June 2026.

Closes 26/03/2026Apply →

Public Health

Grantopen

Public health programs and initiatives

Eligibility: Community-led organisations with DGR status of any size can apply, including universities and research institutes as implementation partners.

How to apply: Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest, followed by a full application if invited, with key dates including EOIs opening on 2026-05-28 and closing on 2026-06-18.

$100KCloses 20/08/2026Apply →