Jodie Kennedy
The power of 28 philanthropic trusts managed by Equity Trustees has been combined to grant more than $7 million over five years to support the work of three of Australia’s leading medical research organisations.
The Equity Trustees Medical Research and Health Partnership Program brings together philanthropic trusts with a shared purpose consistent with advancing medical research for the benefit of the Australian community. A new funding round opened early in 2025 with applicants required to demonstrate a strong alignment with the Program goals, robust governance, and proven impact in advancing medical research.
The three successful medical research organisation applicants are:
- Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre (Monash University): $2,946,945
- TRI Foundation, Translational Research Institute: $2,130,295
- Sydney Health Partners (University of Sydney): $2,055,585
This new five-year commitment builds on the success of the program since it began in 2017, with more than $10 million already distributed under this area through a funding framework developed by the Equity Trustees granting specialists to support critical medical research.
Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Philanthropy and Community Trustee Services at Equity Trustees, said: “The Medical Research and Health Partnership Program reflects the commitment of our philanthropic clients – past and present – to advancing medical research that improves the health and wellbeing of people in Australia and around the world.”
This funding will drive research into disease prevention and treatment with the potential to deliver significant public health benefits, while fostering long-term, collaborative relationships with organisations translating discoveries into improved healthcare.
“By partnering with these leading research institutions, the program empowers research that leads to real-world clinical outcomes, improves patient care, and supports the development of innovative therapies and interventions.”
Ms Kennedy also notes that a key advantage of this program is its ability to bring together philanthropic trusts established by clients, and projects that reflect the specific wishes of each of those clients. This includes those who have entrusted their philanthropic legacy to Equity Trustees in perpetuity.
“As the trustee of more than 1200 philanthropic funds, we are able to bring together trusts that have similar charitable goals and coordinate, combine and streamline their funding towards that shared goal,” she explained.
“This has the added benefit of potentially opening up opportunities for funded organisations to leverage additional support from government, other philanthropic organisations, and even within the research community.”
“We are deeply committed to creating meaningful, lasting outcomes through partnerships that advance medical research as a part of this program, and we look forward to the benefits of their work on our whole community over time,” she concluded.
The 28 trusts making this Partner Program possible are:
- The Judith Jane Mason & Harold Stannett Williams Memorial Foundation (the Mason Foundation)
- NSW Community Foundation
- NSW Community Foundation – Nicholas and Phyllis Pinter Trust
- Vernon Sinclair Fund
- The Jane Frances Hayes and Frederick Williams Hayes Charitable Trust
- The A E Hingeley Trust
- The R D Hingeley Trust
- Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation – E Murray Charitable Gift
- ANZ QLD Community Foundation
- Queensland Community Foundation – Thomas George Swallow Trust
- The J & T Cox Mem Foundation
- The H J Hinchey Charitable Trust
- Laurie Gertrude McCallum Estate
- The Kenneth Cameron Thomson & Betty Madge Thomson Memorial Fund
- George Weaber Foundation Trust
- The Frank Alexander Charitable Trust
- Bill Long Charitable Trust
- Victoria Community Foundation – George Perry Fund
- Victoria Community Foundation – Dean William Winter Trust
- The Appel Family Bequest
- Estate of Harry Bunting
- Lynne Quayle Charitable Trust
- Preston and Loui Geduld Trust Fund
- Athol Joseph Anderson Charitable Trust – The Dorothy Hill Memorial Trust Fund
- William & Evelyn Beveridge Settlement
- Beatrice Harris Charitable Trust
- The Myra Stoicesco Charitable Trust
- The Cross Family Trust