Celebrating 100 years of impact

For 100 years, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has been the heart of Melbourne and a leader in Australian philanthropy.

Whenever our community has needed us, we’ve been there.

This centenary year, we celebrate the impact that we’ve been able to make, but most importantly the extraordinary generosity of individuals and groups who have supported the Foundation and its work.

Together, we have faced social and environmental challenges with the belief that a more equitable, inclusive, climate-resilient future is possible.

It is this belief that sustains us today and propels us into the next 100 years and beyond. Explore our impact

A Century of Impact

‘By and For the People of Melbourne’: Establishing the Future of Public Health

A lot has changed in Melbourne in the last 100 years. And as Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation celebrates its centenary year, we look back at the origins of this visionary Melbourne organisation and discover a city not unlike our own.

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‘By and For the People of Melbourne’: Establishing the Future of Public Health

A lot has changed in Melbourne in the last 100 years. And as Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation celebrates its centenary year, we look back at the origins of this visionary Melbourne organisation and discover a city not unlike our own.

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Responding to Melbourne’s Healthcare Challenges

Melbourne hasn’t stayed still for long. But Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has kept apace.

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Responding to Melbourne’s Healthcare Challenges

Melbourne hasn’t stayed still for long. But Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has kept apace.

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A Legacy of Giving

For over a century, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has been built as a community resource by its generous donors and Melbourne’s early philanthropists. The ongoing legacies of philanthropists like Eldon and Anne Foote, Arthur Martin and the Collier sisters still resonate years later.

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Community Giving: Melbourne’s Generous History

The Foundation has never just been about wealthy donors and big cheques – the community has always had a collective and essential part to play.

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Community Giving: Melbourne’s Generous History

The Foundation has never just been about wealthy donors and big cheques – the community has always had a collective and essential part to play.

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A Diverse and Inclusive Melbourne: Supporting the City’s Migrant Population

The last century has seen Melbourne’s diversity increase astronomically. For Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, a better-connected society is a stronger society.

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Economic Inclusion: A Holistic Approach

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation’s early beginnings focussed on fundraising for Melbourne’s public hospitals and charities. Over the past 100 years, it’s become a leading Australian philanthropic organisation recognised for its innovative approach to grantmaking to tackle disadvantage.

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Economic Inclusion: A Holistic Approach

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation’s early beginnings focussed on fundraising for Melbourne’s public hospitals and charities. Over the past 100 years, it’s become a leading Australian philanthropic organisation recognised for its innovative approach to grantmaking to tackle disadvantage.

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Homelessness and Affordable Housing: Solving Melbourne’s Most Pressing Crisis

Homelessness has always been part of the agenda for Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. But 100 years on, it is invested in solving the problem once and for all.

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Disaster response: Helping the Most Vulnerable in Times of Crisis

Over the century, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has supported the community through many disasters. Today, the Foundation looks beyond relief and into prevention and preparedness.

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Disaster response: Helping the Most Vulnerable in Times of Crisis

Over the century, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has supported the community through many disasters. Today, the Foundation looks beyond relief and into prevention and preparedness.

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Responding to the Climate Challenge: Fighting for Melbourne’s Future on a Changing Planet

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has faced down a century’s worth of crises. But the looming threat of climate change is probably its greatest challenge yet.

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Philanthropy in the New Millennium: Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation’s Second Century

From decarbonisation to collaboration, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation stands on the brink of another century of change.

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Philanthropy in the New Millennium: Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation’s Second Century

From decarbonisation to collaboration, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation stands on the brink of another century of change.

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Timeline

Journey through the story of Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation in this timeline. Explore milestones, appeals and key people through the years.

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Expand each decade to explore the timeline

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1920s
£288,128
Donations
£266,601
Distributions

During the early 1920s Melbourne was a bustling city recovering from the impacts of World War 1 and the Spanish Flu pandemic.

With a growing population, Melbourne’s hospitals were struggling to keep up with the increasing costs of hospital maintenance and patient care.

After two years of planning and consultations with business, government and charities, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sir John Swanston launched The Lord Mayor’s Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities on 14 June 1923. It was to become a centralised collection point for public donations to directly support the maintenance costs of Melbourne’s hospitals.

By the end of the 1920s, the Fund had increased its support from 18 hospitals to over 200 hospitals and charities. Sir John’s vision and intention for the Fund were being realised.

The Fund launched several successful fundraising campaigns such as Flower Day and the Industrial Contributions Scheme as well as taking over the management of the Saturday Hospital Appeal which had been managed by the Lord Mayor’s Office since 1873. The Sunday Hospital Appeal would become a sub-committee with all funds raised managed by the Fund.

The Lord Mayor’s Fund quickly developed an impressive popular reputation as an authority on charities and charitable giving. Melbourne’s daily media provided generous coverage of the Fund’s fundraising appeals encouraging public support and donations. 

From all across the business and community sectors, special events were held to raise money for the Fund including opening nights at theatres, gala balls on visiting ships, special film nights, school events and sporting tournaments. High-profile donors include The Duke and Duchess of York, Sir Sidney Myer, Mr G. J. Coles and Sir Arthur Baillieu. 

The 1920s was an incredible period of establishment and growth for The Fund. It had been brave, almost revolutionary, in creating a range of revenue streams that today would be recognised as workplace giving, donor-advised giving and the early concept of hospital health insurance.

Its early success had prepared it well for the next decade which would prove to be a challenging period in the Fund’s history but also for Australia.

 

IMAGE: 'Day by Day I see greater possibilities on the Scheme, and it is not unreasonable to forecast through this great organisation, an income sufficient for the maintenance of our hospitals and charities.' - Sir John Swanson, 1923. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1924 

With support and encouragement from the Charities Board of Victoria, the Hospital Saturday Appeal merges with the Lord Mayor's Fund and the Hospital Sunday Appeal Committee becomes a subcommittee of the Lord Mayor's Fund. The Fund declares that the month of October will be the designated month in which fundraising activities will be undertaken by the two Hospital Appeals. The Saturday and Sunday Hospital Appeals had already been a long-standing tradition in Melbourne since their launch in 1873.

The Fund launches its Industrial Contributions Scheme with the support of the Victorian Charities Board and Trades Hall Council. It would become a very successful workplace giving program for the manufacturing sector, retail businesses and trade unions.

 

 

1925 
Lord Mayor Brunton suggests to the Flower Growers Association the idea of an annual Flower Day Appeal. The first Flower Day Appeal is held on 6 May 1925. The Wattle Day Committee is invited to become an auxiliary committee of the Lord Mayor's Fund.
 

 

1926 
From January to March 1926 Victoria experiences one of its worst bushfire seasons. The Lord Mayor launches the Lord Mayor's Bush Fires Relief Appeal to provide emergency support to the regional communities from Kinglake to Gippsland.
1927 
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York visit Melbourne and make a donation to the Fund for the Flower Day Appeal. The third annual Flower Day Appeal is held on Wednesday 11 May raising £2500. The Flower Growers Association had now raised £8000 since the launch of the appeal in 1925.
 


The Lord Mayor and Lady Morell had the honour of presenting the President and Secretary of the Flower Growers Association Mr N. B. Holloway and Mr J. E. Hunt to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. A special bouquet of a new pansy, cultivated by Mr Hunt, was presented to her Royal Highness, who named the pansy 'Duchess of York'.

1928 
Several special events are held throughout 1928. The Shell Company of Australia donates £1700 to commemorate the historic flight by Australian pilot Mr Bert Hinkler from London to Darwin, the first person to fly solo from England to Australia, taking 16 days, and arriving 22 February 1928. 2. At a grand concert opera singer Dame Nellie Melba donates proceeds to the Fund for the Women's Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital; £1743 is distributed between the two women's hospitals. Donations are also received from the Police Carnival, Motion Picture Industry and G. J. Coles and Co. Ltd.
1929 
The income generated by the Industrial Contributions Scheme increases by £8000, however, the timber workers strike and 'widespread dislocation of industry' impacts further donations from being received. The scheme is extended to include employees from 'banks, commercial and mercantile houses in the city'. The stock market crash of 1929 hampers further growth for the Scheme in the new financial year. In August 1929, the Lord Mayor's Fund and ABC, with Radio 3LO, establish the Radio Fund to fundraise for the purchase of radio equipment for hospitals. Weekly community singing sessions are held with all proceeds donated to the Radio Fund. Volunteers from ABC and 3LO donate their time to run the singing sessions. 17 hospitals across Victoria receive radio equipment and installation in the first year. Patients can now to listen to the radio during their stay in hospital.
1930s
£821,201
Donations
£769,419
Distributions

The 1930s was an incredibly challenging decade for Australia. The economic impacts of the Great Depression had been severe, intensifying already increasing levels of poverty and putting hospitals and charities under further pressure. The severe weather events of the decade adversely impacted agriculture due to the prolonged drought and bushfires, most notably the Black Friday bushfires in 1939. The outbreak of the polio epidemic started in 1937 and the beginning of World War 2 in 1939.

Support for the Fund and its popularity never wavered during this time, even though the economic impacts of the Great Depression adversely affected household incomes.

Melburnians were generous in nature and the Fund’s Executive Committee and Council were determined to continue to support the health and welfare of the wider Melbourne community through its fundraising and distributions to hospitals and charities.

The Fund became ambitious and launched its Endowment Fund to receive bequests and was the recipient of £25,000 donation from English philanthropist Lord Nuffield.

The industrial contribution scheme reached 140,000 donors and in 1937 the Fund reached £1,000,000 fundraised and distributed to hospitals and charities including to hospitals regional. This was a significant milestone for the Fund.

Other significant milestones included the passing of the Lord Mayor’s Fund Act in Victoria Parliament in 1930 and an income tax exemption from the Federal Government.

 

IMAGE: In 1930, Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities was incorporated by an Act of the Victorian Parliament, ensuring the longevity of the Fund. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.
1930 
The Lord Mayor's Fund becomes incorporated by an Act of Parliament on 24th December 1930. The impact of the stock market crash in 1929 begins to have an adverse effect on fundraising activities. The Industrial Contributions Scheme remains popular with the participating workplaces however there is a reduction in members contributing to the Scheme due to the 'depleted ranks of our industrial workers'.
1931 
1931 is a very significant year for The Lord Mayor's Fund. The Fund provides grants to 109 grant recipients comprising of 20 hospitals and 89 other charities. Although it had been a difficult year for industrial and commercial businesses, the Fund’s fundraising increases to £95,416, 44.7 per cent higher than the previous year. This is due to an extraordinary increase of 'ordinary and private contributions'. More than ever before, the support from across the community and business continues to grow and is reported as 'unprecedented', with numerous balls, exhibitions, and other special events being held in support of The Fund.
1932 
Australian Broadcasting Company becomes the Australian Broadcasting Commission. ABC's support of the Lord Mayor's Radio Fund continued and together they promote the Radio Fund further. Now in its third year, the benefits to patients of having access to the radio to listen to music and other programming is understood to be very beneficial.
1933 
The Lord Mayor's Fund celebrates its 10th anniversary and pays a special tribute and acknowledgment to founder Sir John Swanson.
1934 
1934 marks the centenary year for Melbourne as a city. The 'stress and strain' of the previous depression years is beginning to lift for industrial and financial businesses. Total income for the year is £93,554 and grant distributions are £89,746, which is a significant increase from the previous year. Two significant bequests are received by the Fund and the Executive Committee plans to establish an Endowment Fund similar to the King Edward Hospital Memorial Fund in London.
1935 
During the early 1930s the Fund developed the early concept for a voluntary hospital insurance scheme with the Australian Medical Association, however, after much discussion and legal advice, the Fund decides that the voluntary contribution scheme should be separate from the Fund. 'The whole scheme was reconstituted and incorporated under an association named the Hospital Benefits Association.'
1936 
The Lord Mayor's Fund reaches a significant milestone: £1 million has been raised and distributed to hospitals and charities since its launch in 1923!
1937 
Lord Nuffield's gift of £25,000 is reported as the largest gift ever received by the Fund. Mr Arthur Baillieu had travelled as a passenger on the same ship as Lord Nuffield from London to Melbourne. After several discussions about The Lord Mayor's Fund and Melbourne, Lord Nuffield was so impressed that he donates £25,000 when he arrives in Melbourne. The donation would be distributed to hospitals throughout Victoria and £2500 was allocated to children's charities to address the polio epidemic. Metropolitan hospitals received £15,000 and regional hospitals £7500. Mrs Sidney Myer donated £1000 to support hospitals treating patients with polio.
1938 
Flower Day Appeal held every year in May since 1926 with the support of the Flower Growers Association and its members. Due to the drought, some regional flower growers were unable to provide their annual support in the provision of flowers, however, £960 is still raised for the Fund.
1939 
For the sixth year in a row, an anonymous donor provides a £100 donation to the Fund's Annual Appeal in October. Curiosity about the identity of this donor captures the attention of daily media. The Consulate of Greece Mr A. J. J. Lucas maintains his tradition of making a donation to the Fund on his birthday. Wattle Day continues to fundraise for children’s charities and Empire Day, tapping in national pride, raises a 'splendid' total of £4930.
1940s
£963,524
Donations
£904,097
Distributions

The Lord Mayor’s Fund was committed more than ever to look after the health and wellbeing of the people of Melbourne throughout the war years.

The Executive Council decided to pull back on fundraising and publicity campaigns out of respect for the Government’s fundraising efforts for the defence programme, war bonds and Red Cross war appeals, as well as for the people of Melbourne who were under pressure to contribute to the war effort.

A fundraising ban had been placed on charities not connected to the war effort, however, the State Government had recognised the important role that Fund continued to play in supporting hospitals and charities and granted the Fund an exemption.

Fundraising continued to steadily increase during the war years putting pressure on the Fund to provide further support for the maintenance costs of hospitals that needed to respond to the care required for returned services.

Post-war saw the Fund face new challenges that would affect fundraising targets. Federal and State governments had imposed higher taxes as part of post-war recovery, the idea of a state lottery system to fund hospitals was proposed by the State Government and there was now increased competition from other charities including overseas aid charities.

But the Fund’s popularity remained. The Fund’s strong reputation and history of successful management of funds and distributions to hospitals and charities ensured that the Fund was held in high regard by Melburnians who were proud of the city’s generous nature and philanthropic history.


IMAGE: Street appeals were a popular form of community fundraising. Nurse Nell Synnott is pictured with Private K. O'Shaughnessy in 1940 selling 'buttons' or pins as part of the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Appeal. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1940 
For the sixth year in a row, an anonymous donor provides a £100 donation to the Fund's Annual Appeal in October.

Curiosity about the identity of this donor captures the attention of daily media.

The Consulate of Greece Mr A. J. J. Lucas maintains his tradition of making a donation to the Fund on his birthday.

Wattle Day continues to fundraise for children's charities and Empire Day, tapping in national pride, raises a 'splendid' total of £4,930.
1941 
The Fund recognises the important role it plays to secure funding for hospital maintenance, especially with the predicted increased demands that will be placed on hospitals with retuning solders who will require more intensive care. The Annual Flower Day Appeal moves from Wednesday to Friday raising £1666, a record result. The 'Mystery Man' donates £200. 3KZ's Community Singing Sessions at the Melbourne Town Hall continue to be popular.
1942 
The Fund reaches £1.5 million milestone and the Annual Appeal raises a record result of £47,815.
1943 
1943 marks the 20th anniversary of the Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities. Fundraising records are achieved by all fundraising appeals including the Annual Appeal, Flower Day, Wattle Day and Hospital Sunday Appeal which has now been held every October for 70 years.
1944 
The Lord Mayor's Fund moves from its offices in Melbourne Town Hall to 243 Collins Street as office space in the Melbourne Town Hall is required for wartime activities. The Fund reports a record year of fundraising bringing the total amount fundraised since 1923 to £1,796,250.
1945 
The Lord Mayor's Fund receives a special exemption from Prime Minister Mr Ben Chifley enabling the Annual Appeal to continue as planned in October and November. All other fundraising appeals are cancelled in support of the Government's War Loan campaign in October. Another record year was achieved and Melbourne’s daily newspapers congratulate the people of Melbourne for 'maintaining its generous attitude to this annual effort.' World War 2 ends in Europe in May 1945 and for Australia, August 1945.
1946 
Melbourne re-adjusts to life post-war. Public support for Empire Day, Flower Day, Wattle Day, Sunday Hospital Appeal and the Annual Appeal continues as well as long-standing support from local government including Melbourne City Council.
1947 
£2 million milestone reached. The Lord Mayor's Fund records £2,234,727 raised since 1923. A transport strike disrupts the Annual Appeal's Sunday Hospital fundraising. The Fund's Council and its Executive establish a Staff Provident Fund to recognise the long and faithful services of its staff.
1948 
Silver Jubilee! 1948 marks the 25th anniversary of the Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities. Fundraising income includes from the industrial contributions scheme (reinstated post war), ordinary and private contributions, Wattle Day, Sunday Hospital Appeal, Municipal donations, Flower Day, Associated Public Schools, Empire Day and Endowment Bequest. The Fund is starting to notice the impact of the Commonwealth Government Social Legislation and its associated tax, as well as other charitable appeals competing for donations and public support such as United Nations Appeal for Children which raised £100,000. The State Movement establish the Hospitals Commission which replaced the Charities Board of Victoria.
1949 
1949 is a difficult fundraising year for the Lord Mayor's Fund which results in reduced distributions to hospitals. Rose Day Appeal will now be managed by The Fund. The Industrial Contributions Scheme draws to a close. Hospital Sunday Appeal celebrates its 75th anniversary milestone.
1950s
£1,842,187
Donations
£1,748,585
Distributions

The 1950s proved to be a challenging decade for The Lord Mayor’s Fund. It was a changing landscape both politically and economically. The Fund was faced with new competition from Federal and State social security taxes, a new lottery system and health insurance schemes introduced to support hospitals and a developing public healthcare system.

Even though The Fund maintained its popularity with the public and its place as Melbourne’s philanthropic heart, fundraising in a competitive market challenged the Fund to innovate and look for new opportunities.

The Fund decided to form a new committee for the Annual Appeal, led by Mr E B. Coles to help increase its publicity and direct giving by gaining the support of 100 influential businessmen. This strategy proved to be a success and the Fund reached new records in fundraising.

The Sunday Hospital Committee continued to advocate for voluntary giving, rather than the public contributing to giving through a lottery system.

A change in distributions saw the Fund begin to support specific hospital projects rather than just general hospital maintenance. And the identity of Mr X, the Fund’s generous anonymous donor for 20 years, was finally revealed.

The Endowment Fund continued to receive large bequests, in particular an annual distribution from the estate of Annette, Alice and Edith Collier.

Once again discussions took place about a centralised giving fund to receive all public donations, but wasn’t this the role of the Lord Mayor’s Fund? The United Giving Fund popular in North America was presented as a possible giving model. The Fund would end the decade with another new challenge.

IMAGE: For 65 years, the office of Lord Mayor’s Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities was located at Melbourne Town Hall with direct access to Swanston Street from 1923 – 1988. The Fund’s office was a central, convenient location to receive the many cash and cheque donations from the public and acted as a base on street appeal days held by the Fund as well as other philanthropic and charitable organisations. IMAGE SOURCE: State Library of Victoria

1950 
The Fund promotes the need for voluntary giving to continue as an important component of community life. The introduction of the Social Services legislation several years earlier had resulted in a decline in voluntary giving. Flower Day, Rose Day and Wattle Day appeals continue to grow in popularity and donations. The Fund moves back to the Melbourne Town Hall supported by Melbourne City Council. A lottery system is given further consideration by the State Government to support hospitals.
1951 
The Lord Mayor's Fund organises the 'Centenary and Jubilee Exhibition' as part of the State Government’s celebrations. The exhibition is opened by the Prime Minister Robert Menzies. It is estimated that 90,000 attended the Exhibition and £10,500 was raised.
1952 
The Fund acknowledges a new economic era had begun for Australia and with stringent economic measures, it has been a very difficult year. By the end of the financial year, the Fund records that a milestone £3 million has been raised since 1923. The ’All Nations Fair' organised by the Lady Mayoress raises £1,725 for the Annual Appeal. An 'open house' event for public hospitals proves to be popular once again with the public.
1953 
The Lord Mayor's Fund celebrates its 30th anniversary reaching a record year of £207,113 fundraised. English actor Tommy Trinder helps fundraise for the Annual Appeal.
1954 
The Sunday Hospital Appeal, held each year as part of the Annual Appeal, reports a record year of donations at £32,000 for its appeal held October 1953. It is also the 80th anniversary since the Sunday Hospital Appeal was launched by the Mayor in 1873. Other long-term fundraising appeals organised by the Fund include Flower Day 7 May, Wattle Day in association with the Children's Welfare Association, Rose Day held on the 27 November to support Free Kindergartens.
1955 
Both the Federal and State government's taxes for Social Services Legislation, the Health Scheme and newly launched Hospital and Medical Benefit insurance schemes, have an adverse impact on the Fund's annual fundraising appeals. Along with the introduction of Tattersall's Lottery and increased competition from other charity fundraising appeals, the Fund records noticeable differences in its balance sheet. The Fund maintains its formula of funding 75 per cent to hospitals and medical charities and 25 per cent to other charitable organisations. The Fund raises £37,000 for the New South Wales floods.
1956 
1956 Olympics are held in Melbourne.

The Endowment Fund continues to grow to receive bequests from estates including from the estate of Annette, Alice and Edith Collier.

Long-serving former members of the Fund's executive and council members leave bequests including former Lord Mayor Beaurepaire and the Fund's first CEO Mr Glanville Hicks.
1957 
Although the Fund remains popular and is held in high esteem among the general public, concerns are raised about the impact of Tattersall's lottery on the fundraising for the Fund. The Hospital Sunday Appeal maintains a strong record of fundraising although raises the concerns about the negative impact that the Tattersall's lottery system will have on voluntary giving. The competitive nature of fundraising appeals is raised and a special conference is organised by the Health Minister, The Hon P. E. Cameron MLC, with representatives from the Patriotic Funds Council, the Hospitals and Charities Commission and the Lord Mayor's Fund to investigate the United Givers Fund.
1958 
The Fund records a record breaking year of £320,000 in fundraising and other revenue. A range of special events are held, including being one of two charitable organisations to receive proceeds from the Premiere of 'Around the World in 80 days' and after party attended by producer Mike Todd and his wife film star Elizabeth Taylor. The Annual Appeal launches a campaign to secure the support of 100 prominent city businesses, chaired by Sir Edward Coles. 'Splendid support' is once again received by Melbourne's daily media.
1959 
CEO Mr Burton visits the US and Canada to learn more about the United Givers Fund to complete the Committee's review. An Australia Day Appeal is launched.
1960s
$3,304,702
Donations
$3,080,547
Distributions

Under the backdrop of inflation, the Fund continues with its usual operations: its Annual Appeal, Street Appeals, and the Hospital Sunday Appeal, which changes to the 'Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal' in 1962, expanding distributions to include welfare organisations.

The 1962 Annual Report notes that "The year just closed has been one of the most difficult since the Fund was inaugurated in 1923. In common with all philanthropic and charitable organisations, the Fund as been affected by the impact on the economy of the deflationary measures introduced by the Federal Government in November 1960 to arrest inflation".

The large number of company take-overs and mergers occurring is also believed to be affecting fundraising efforts as "prior to their being acquired or merged, many of these companies contributed regularly to the Fund, but with few exceptions their contributions have ceased".

In the community, however, there is a growing tendency for citizens to recognise the work of the Fund by including a bequest in their Will. In 1961, the Endowment Fund increased by over £70,500 - the largest amount in any one year since the inception of the Fund.

IMAGE: The Lord Mayor's Appeal took place annually from September to November. The Appeal was seen as 'affording donors the most effective and equitable method yet devised' of assisting over 200 hospitals and charities. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1960 
A Fund for Greater Melbourne: the 32 hospitals and numerous charitable institutions supported by the Lord Mayor's Fund span the breadth of Greater Melbourne. The 1960 Annual Report also makes mention that the majority of the Appeal funds raised during the year has "been contributed within the Greater Melbourne radius".
1961 
Lady Mayoress Committee established by Lady Evans with the express purpose of raising monies for the Lord Mayor's Fund and operates as an auxiliary of the Fund with its own approved constitution and office bearers. In its first year the Committee raises £7,372 and will go on to be the Foundation's largest single donor annually, for many years.
1962 
It is decided that 'Hospital Sunday' will change to 'Hospitals and Charities Sunday' in future 'because of the growing importance of the work being done by welfare organisations'. The distribution of income will be 50 per cent to medical charities and 50 per cent to welfare (charitable) organisations.
1963 
1964 
Lady Mayoress Committee's younger, subsidiary group, the 'Young Towners' form and go on to raise thousands of dollars annually for the Fund.
1968 
Since opening to the public 10 years ago, the Directors of the I.C.I Building, Australia's first skyscraper, have each year donated the proceeds from sightseers visiting the building.
1969 
Decision made to enable charities to benefit from a greater share of the distribution. In future, the distribution will be made on the basis of 50 per cent to hospitals and 50 per cent to charities.
1970s
$5,524,107
Donations
$4,147,644
Distributions

The Foundation's fifth decade was one which saw it adapt dramatically to meet the changing society it served. Annually, there is discussion of how to best improve the distribution formula. With more government funding provided to hospitals and greater need by charitable organisations, the distribution formula changes from 75 per cent to hospitals and 25 per cent to charities in 1969, to an even 50:50 split at the start of the decade, and finally to 25 per cent to hospitals and 75 per cent to charities.

The fundraising landscape is also in flux, with more women entering the workforce and less volunteers to assist with street appeals, Flower Day, Rose Day, Wattle Day and the October Street Appeal come to a close.

A highlight is the centenary celebration of the Hospitals Saturday and Sunday Appeals in 1973, having raised nearly $15 million since 1873.

By the end of the decade, the long-term commitment to building a perpetual endowment fund  is realised when the Endowment Section of the Fund is substantial enough that the annual interest earned exceeds the operating expenses of the Fund.


IMAGE: The success of the Foundation's Street Appeals relied on the generous support of a legion of dedicated volunteers. Pictured are a group of students from Suzan Johnston schools collecting funds during the 1970s.

1970 
Approximately 75 per cent of the 'general' funds raised this year come from companies and firms. Throughout the Fund's lifetime institutions including Allans Music; Myer Emporium; Carlton & United Breweries Ltd; G.J. Coles & Coy Ltd; Herald & weekly Times; The Argus; McPhersons; Arnott-Brockhoff-Guest Pty Ltd; Kraft Foods are among the many supporters.
1971 
Mr. Samuel John Arthur Fripp, O.B.E., retires from the Council of the Fund after serving since the Fund was founded in 1923 - close to 50 years. Together with the first Secretary of the Fund, Mr E. Glanville Hicks and Town Clerk, Mr. H. S. Wootton, Mr Fripp collaborated in drafting the Constitution under which the Fund operated until its Incorporation in 1930.
1972 
Investment policy expands from just governmental and semi-governmental loans to also include First Mortgage loans with long-established Trustee Companies to "considerably increase the funds available for distribution".
1973 
Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal celebrates its centenary. The Appeal, at the time known as Hospital Sunday Appeal, was one of two started in 1873 by then Mayor of Melbourne, Alderman Thomas O'Grady. The other, the Hospital Saturday Appeal, became the responsibility of Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities in 1923 under the guidance of the Lord Mayor of Melbourne at the time, Councillor Sir John Swanson. Since 1923, the two Appeals have raised nearly $15 million and a Centenary Ball is held on 21 September to mark the occasion.
1975 
Director/Secretary of the Fund, Commodore R. Rhoades, D.S.C., R.A.N. (ret.), retires after 12 years, during which close to $7 million was raised by the Fund for Hospitals and Charities.

The Council decides to vary the distribution at the close of 1975-76:
"Of the 50 per cent of funds raised which are allocated to hospitals, up to half would be devoted to providing items of equipment which they could not expect from Government grants... It is hoped by the Fund's Council that this decision will stimulate giving."
1976 
The distribution formula is updated after taking into account a number of factors affecting the financing of hospitals - notably the advent of Medibank. It is decided that 25 per cent will go to hospitals to pay for special projects not supported by government funding, and 75 per cent to charities.

The support for 'special projects' is a turning point for the Fund, having previously provided for general maintenance for hospitals. These 'special projects' herald the early beginnings of what would become known as the Foundation's 'Responsive Grants' program, an application-based granting structure. In the 1970s, the 'special projects' are determined the financial year prior to the grant being paid and are used to demonstrate specific need and encourage giving.
1977 
It is decided that the Fund's historic Flower Day and Rose Day will be discontinued due to a diminishing number of collectors. The October Street Appeal and Wattle Day end the following year, given further Government subsidies for kindergartens. The Fund's Street Appeals raised $XXXXXX over XX years.
1978 
The Endowment Section of the Fund is now substantial enough that the annual interest earned exceeds the operating expenses of the Fund.     

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes Patron-in-Chief of the Fund, a position held for close to 40 years.
1980s
$11,164,880
Donations
$7,863,498
Distributions

The Fund starts the 1980s strong with an increase in donors and donations, however the period is characterised by broader economic challenges that affect the giving ability of the community, as well as increased competition from other charitable organisations.

The largest donor to the fund annually, the Lady Mayoress Committee celebrates its 25th anniversary in 1985 and a dinner dance where the Prince and Princess of Wales attend as guests of honour, results in the Committee's highest annual fundraising total: $126,087.

The Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal maintains its giving levels, but the Committee observes that it's the result of 'fewer contributions from fewer places of worship raising more money'.

In these uncertain times, it is the interest earned from the endowment fund that sees the Fund continue the growth trajectory of its distributions to hospitals and charities, totalling $7,863,498 by decade's end.

IMAGE: Over a century after it first commenced, the Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal continues through the 1980s. During this period, the Appeal raises $445,659 and the promotional flyers produced annually share the impact of contributions by congregations.  IMAGE SOURCE: State Library of Victoria

1980 
There is continued refinement of the distribution formula in an effort to ensure the amounts are 'useful'. This year each charity receives at least $2,300.
1981 
1982 
1983 
This year marks 60 years of the Fund's association with auditors Fell & Starkey - antecedent of the present-day Ernst & Young - and legal advisors Gillott, Mopir & Winneke (present-day MinterEllison). Both firms acted in either a pro bono capacity or returned their fee as a donation
1984 
1985 
Lady Mayoress Committee raise $126,087 in its 25th year. The highlight of the Silver Anniversary year was a Dinner Dance celebrating Victoria's Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) on 30 October 1985 with the Prince and Princess of Wales attending as guests of honour.

The Caring Society of the Lord Mayor's Fund launches, recognising people who have pledged to annually donate a minimum contribution to the Fund.
1986 
1987 
“This year, as an indication of the increasing needs of charities, we have received far more requests for help than in the history of the Fund. To enable us to respond in a positive way we are fortunate that increased generosity by Trusts, Businesses, Estates and our generous donors has enabled us to give grants to 29 public hospitals and 114 charities amounting to $743,746, as well as distributing a further $227,655 in specific donations. It is difficult to adequately thank all our donors but consideration of our very successful year will show them just how rewarding has been their generosity through the year.”
1988 
After 65 years, the Fund ceases to staff the Melbourne City Council Information Centre as it moves to other premises within Melbourne Town Hall.     
1989 
Hospitals and Charities Sunday raises $51,274, the highest annual figure for the decade. There were a number of factors at the time affecting the outcome of the Appeal: cost of living pressures, competing fundraising efforts from Private Hospitals on the same day, and an increasing tendency for denominations to 'help their own' resulted in "fewer contributions from fewer places of worship raising more money".  While annual amounts were lower than previous years, during the 1980s the Appeal raised $445,659.
1990s
$15,625,428
Donations
$9,202,886
Distributions

The Fund celebrates its 75th anniversary and the generosity of Melburnians who have donated $40 million since its inception.

It is forward-looking in its approach as the new millenium nears, establishing the 'Towards 2001' Vision and Strategic Plan.

1996 is a milestone year where the Lord Mayor's Fund Act is amended  and the organisation becomes known as Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund. The Endowment Fund name is also updated and holds the business name  'Melbourne Foundation' the following year.

The Fund continues to be the recipient of the community's fundraising efforts with newly launched department store Daimaru, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Rialto's 'Run-up' event all contributing.

Bequests also characterise the decade and continue to support the Fund, including $429,174 bequeathed by Mrs. Dorothy E Jarvis, in memory of her late husband and her father who were both employees of the Melbourne City Council. The Fund had established an important role as the holder of charitable bequests for the benefit of charitable purposes in Melbourne.

IMAGE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation celebrates its 75th anniversary in 1998 with a special event at Melbourne Town Hall. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1990 

The Lady Mayoress’ Committee Jumble Sale was renamed the Lady Mayoress’ Annual bazaar. The last three Jumble Sales contributed around $59,000.

After nearly 13 years Executive Director Mr H.S.W Fordyce retired on the 31st of August 1989. Mr F.W. Paine was appointed to the position of Executive Director from 1st September 1989.

Melbourne Financial Markets Charity Ball Committee contributed $145,000 to the Fund

During the 1990's the Fund granted to the Australian AIDS Fund (Victorian Division). The Australian AIDS Fund provided HIV positive men, women and children with supportive accommodation services across the Melbourne metropolitan area. Granting continues to reflect the most urgent charitable and health needs in the community as they emerge.

1991 
Bequest from the late Mrs Gillian Ansell was received in July 1991 amounting to $271,143
1992 
Bequest from the estate of the late Mr Reginald F Magain who was a generous donor to the fund during his lifetime amounting to $26,000

In June 1992 a magnificent bequest amounting to $429,174 was received from the estate of Mrs Dorothy E Jarvis. At the direction of the testator, this amount has been constituted as a separate endowment in memory of the late husband and father of Mrs Jarvis. Both Mr Stanley Garvis and Mr Frank Filltoe were employees of the Melbourne City Council

Daimaru opening function raised more than $28,000 for the Lord Mayor’s Fund

Entry fees from the annual Rialto Run-Up were donated to the fund
1993 
70th anniversary of the fund 

Collections to the Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal decreased by 3.5% against the previous year, this reflected both the economic situation and the great number of other appeals being placed before congregations.
1994 
The last Lady Mayoress' Jumble Sale/bazaar was held

Give to one and help many campaign launched. Clemenger Melbourne Pty Ltd provided assistance without charge for a newspaper advertising campaign and production of posters. The campaign uses pictures of collection tins to convey the message that giving the fund is equivalent to donating to many worthy appeals
1995 
Mr F W Paine resigns as Executive Director and Secretary. Mr Peter Hudson is appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 October
1996 
The name of the Fund was changed to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund following the amending Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund Act 1996 (Vic). The Act aims to meet the needs of the time.

The Fund undertook a major review of its operation and structure which resulted in the development and adoption of the “Towards 2001” Vision and Strategic Plan

The Fund becomes an affiliate member of United Way Australia
1997 
The Fund's Endowment Fund becomes the Melbourne Foundation

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the City of Melbourne worked with the Fund to produce a gala concert, Symphony in the City to raise funds
1998 
75th anniversary of the Lord Mayor's Charitable fund. Melburnians have donated $40 million since its inception

The Fund contributed $100,000 to help establish the OK 3000: a project for Melbourne’s youth in conjunction with the City of Melbourne. This program was aimed to re-connect newly homeless young people back to support networks in their community.

125th Annual Sunday Appeal.

In recognition of the Fund’s 75th anniversary the Building for Tomorrow $1 million Melbourne Foundation Appeal was launched

The Fund’s brand was reimagined to reflect its proactive direction into the millennium. Respecting the Funds 75-year history, the coat of arms was retained while the overall image was redesigned to provide a stronger and more contemporary appearance.

Following the installation of new street signs in the CBD, the City of Melbourne donated its old street signs along with parking meters, old park benches and drinking fountains to the fund to be auctioned. More than 1,500 people attended the Leonard Joel Auctions Rooms for the auction which raised $118,805
1999 
Lady Mayoress’ Committee celebrates their 40th anniversary contributing $90,000 during the financial year

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund co-ordinated the receipt of donations to assist the Kiev District Hospital for Children which treated the children of victims of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. The appeal raised over $35,000 plus an estimated $250,000 worth of medical supplies.

In recognition of the Fund’s 75 years of service to the community, the City of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and AVS catering all contributed two special school days for almost 1,200 year 4 and 5 students from schools in the City of Melbourne and surrounding suburbs, as well as nearly 200 accompanying teachers and adults.

Continuing the tradition of supporting disasters, the Fund donated $10,000 to the Linton Bushfire Appeal to support the families of the firefighters who tragically lost their lives.
2000s
$132,279,443
Donations
$32,998,474
Distributions

The 2000s saw the Foundation reach new milestones thanks to the the exceptional generosity of Mr Eldon Foote QC.

Mr Eldon Foote QC was a Canadian lawyer who started a successful business in Australia in the 1960s, which later expanded to the Asia Pacific region.

In 2001, together with his wife, Anne, he established the permanently endowed Eldon and Anne Foote Trust (with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund) with an initial contribution of $5 million, and a further $5 million the following year.

The areas of interest that could be supported include social causes, environmental issues, the arts, medical research, health, education and recreation.

Upon his passing in 2004, Mr Eldon Foote QC bequeathed $140 million to the Foundation to continue this work - the largest gift in its history.

This gift placed the Foundation in a much stronger position to respond to community needs and support landmark projects to a level never before possible.

In response, the Foundation introduces 'core pillars' in 2008, what would later become 'Impact Areas', structuring its grantmaking. The grantmaking within these pillars are also strengthened by Grants Advisory Panels of subject matter experts.

The decade closes with an outpouring of community support in the days following the February 2009 Black Saturday bushfires where public donations, coupled with The Foundation’s own capital, enable the Foundation to distribute approximately $1 million to the frontline agencies working with families and individuals directly affected by the disaster. Again disaster response was a critical role for the Fund.

IMAGE: The largest donor to the Foundation, Mr Eldon Foote QC (far left) is pictured with his wife Anne and then Foundation Chairman, Geoffrey Green. After establishing the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation in 2000, Mr Foote provided for further distributions of $140 million to Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation through the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust upon his passing in 2004. Today, grants are made in many areas of interest as specified in the Foote Trust Deed of Gift. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

2000 

A special appeal was launched to assist the victims of the Taiwan earthquake. The fund coordinated the receipt of donations that totalled $136,530.

The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund inaugural Race Day was held at Flemington on Sunday 27 February. The program included the Lord Mayor’s Cup and the Lady Mayoress’ Plate. Sponsorship totalling $52,800 was received for the event.

During the year the Fund undertook a number of marketing and promotional activities including the launch of a promotional tram.

Shane Crawford, captain of the Hawthorne Football Club and John Wood of the TV show Blue Heelers became the Funds first ambassadors.

Through the generosity of the City of Melbourne, the Fund was able to host a corporate fundraising night during the Olympic Games Football series held at the MCG. 60 guests enjoyed watching the ladies' Nigeria versus USA (current world champion) game and the men's match of Morocco and Spain.

2001 
The Fund entered into a partnership with Adshel Australia to provide advertising space through more than 1,200 bus/tram stop shelters across Metropolitan Melbourne. Adshel has generously offered to display on a pro bono basis the Fund's new 'smiley' posters at various bus/tram shelters where advertising space is not being used by commercial clients.

Eldon and Anne Foote Trust (sub fund in Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund) established with a contribution of $5 million.

Excerpt from 2001 annual report:
“The Fund received a $5 million boost through a gift from Eldon and Anne Foote.

Born in Alberta, Canada, Eldon Foote, a QC in Canada took one year's leave from his successful law career late in the 1960s to start a business in Australia. At the end of that year he decided that, rather than return in the law, he would expand the business to Japan and Hong Kong. Mr Foote sold the business 30 years later. His New Zealand born wife, Anne, spent over 20 years in the nursing profession.

This very generous gift will provide ongoing benefit to the Australian community. The Trust will take a pro-active approach to meeting community needs. Distributions will be made annually from income received. The areas in which the Footes have a personal interest will provide a basis for the selection of grant recipients, namely social causes, environmental issues, the arts, medical research, health, education and recreation.” The Fund continues to respond to the needs of the community.
2002 
The Fund's Youth in Philanthropy program was launched with four schools; Melbourne High School, University High School, MacRobertson Girls' High School and Melbourne Grammar School. Youth in Philanthropy aims to teach the next generation of community leaders about community needs and philanthropy.

The Fund was selected to be recipient of the funds raised from the Fuji Film Professional Photographer of the year awards.

A further very generous donation of $5 million from Eldon and Anne Foote was received bring the Foote Trust’s capital asset to more than $10 million. In February the inaugural grants, totalling $123,600, were made from the trust.
2003 
Hospital and Charities Sunday Appeal changes its name to the All Faiths Community Appeal

Following the bushfires in early 2003 the fund is able to direct $165,000 to the relief of those communities most immediately affected by the fires in northwest regional Victoria

Reader’s Feast Bookstore donated $5 from the sale of each book at its launch in Federation Square of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2004 
The City of Hume established the Hume Charitable Trust, the first of Melbourne’s municipalities to join  the community fund program within the Lord Mayor’s Fund.

Eldon Foote passes away. Under his will, he leaves half his residual estate to Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation through the Eldon and Anne Foote Trust.
2005 
Continuing the tradition of supporting local communities in their charitable giving, the Foundation helped City of Melbourne coordinate their fundraising efforts to support those affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in Sri Lanka.
2006 
Inaugural Heart of Melbourne Ball is organised by the Lady Mayoress’ Committee

In March, the Fund officially launches the Children's Fitness Trust in response to the growing public concern over the inactive lifestyles many of Melbourne's children are now leading. The Fund was keen to support programs that encourage healthy and active lifestyles particularly addressing the needs of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Music Men's CD single 'John So, he's my bro' is launched as a special fundraising initiative for the 'Give it a Go' program. The proceeds from the sale of the CDs have been allocated to the 'Give it a Go' program. The YMCA is one of the program's funding recipients and is currently conducting activities that encourage families to participate in healthy leisure activities together.

A significant donation of $8 million is received from the estate of Mr Eldon Foote as the estate administration continues.

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund hosts the United Way International World Assembly, bringing together over 300 delegates for 40 countries to Melbourne
2007 
The Fund launches a new public fundraising appeal, Heart of Melbourne. As part of the appeal launch celebrations, the Fund presents Australia’s much-loved music group The Seekers with the Key to City in recognition of their commitment and service to various Australian charitable organisations over the past four decades.

This year’s ‘Give it a Go!’ program includes a concert for 2,000 primary school children at the Melbourne Town Hall. The special guest performer is Bindi Irwin and The Crocmen supported by the musical comedy group Laugh Out Loud.

The invested corpus (formerly known as the Greater Melbourne Foundation) grows by $26 million to $70 million

Kingston City Council establishes their community fund within the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund  with a $100,000 investment.
2008 
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation becomes a business name of the Fund.

For the first time, $8 million is distributed to Melbourne’s charities and public hospitals

The Foundation formally introduces three core pillars (Impact Areas), Family, Health, and Life Care. Distribution of grants for this years was: Family 23%, Health 39%, Lifecare 33%, Environment 3%, and Arts Sport and Educations 2%

Melbourne’s Choir of Hard Knocks launches this year’s Heart of Melbourne Appeal at the MCG, where they perform a medley of songs for the football crowd before 'first bounce'.

Lord Mayor John So and Lady Mayoress Wendy Cheng welcome special guests Olivia Newton-John and her husband, John Easterling, to the Heart of Melbourne Ball where Ms Newton-John gratefully accepted the Foundation’s first signature grant. The grant was to build a specially designed facility for cancer research, treatment, and patient-centred care.

To celebrate the Foundation’s 85th anniversary one grant worth $3000 is distributed each day for 85 days. Members of the public are invited to nominate their favourite charity and each day a new grant recipient was announced on 3AW.
2009 
In the days following the Black Saturday bushfires public donations, coupled with the Foundation’s own capital, enable the Foundation to distribute approximately $1 million to the frontline agencies working with families and individuals directly affected by the disaster.

Two new Grants Advisory Panels are established: Environment, and Arts, Sports & Education.

The Foundations donor program grows by 40 per cent with the commencement of a telemarketing program.
2010s
$285,638,579
Donations
$95,322,483
Distributions

The 2010s will be remembered as one of the most incredible and transformative decades for the Foundation. With the appointment of Dr Catherine Brown OAM as CEO in 2011, the Foundation embarked on a series of important projects. These included creating a strategic grants program based on the priority challenges of the day facing Melbourne.  Impact Areas were put in place with program managers who were knowledge experts in homelessness and affordable housing, environment and sustainability, education and employment, and healthy and resilient communities. Dr Brown also introduced a new model of philanthropy that would move the Foundation towards a more catalytic approach, where the Foundation was often an early funder to enable a solution to a tough problem to be tested and later scaled up. This systems change approach to grantmaking also included using all the ‘philanthropy toolbox’ including research, strategic communications, collaborations, influencing policy, and impact investment and social enterprise support. Initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Challenge, where the Foundation led collaborations,  would receive Philanthropy Australia’s award for Better Philanthropy in 2020.

The Foundation’s brand identity was updated with a new logo and positioning to better reflect the work of the Foundation as the community foundation for Greater Melbourne and the Act of Parliament was replaced in 2017.  Collective giving in the form of giving circles launched in Australia with the Foundation becoming the host foundation in 2014 to Impact100 Melbourne and Melbourne Women’s Fund. The Foundation’s reputation as a trusted and well-governed community foundation continued to grow and attracted donors to its charitable fund accounts and gift in wills through its bequest program Swanson Society. The student program Youth in Philanthropy reached capacity with 20 schools from across Melbourne enrolled.

One of the most important additions to the Foundation’s grants program was to increase its funding of environmental projects in response to the emerging health impacts and other adverse effects of climate change on people and communities. From 2016 onwards, he Foundation’s entire grants program would be viewed through a climate change lens to ensure all aspects of impact due to a changing climate would be addressed.

Throughout the decade the Foundation undertakes critical research projects including Greater Melbourne Vital Signs which helps the Foundation to identify emerging issues and two research projects to understand the life events that can lead women to retire in poverty.  These research projects, and others, help the Foundation to become proactive in its grantmaking by providing funding to projects early to tackle the issue.

By the end of the decade, the Foundation has a reputation as one of Australia’s leading philanthropic organisations. It now boasts an innovative and award-winning grants program and a diverse range of philanthropic services for donors with individual, collective and community giving options.

Foundation CEO Dr Catherine Brown OAM with artist Deborah Halpern at the launch of 'Mali in the City', Melbourne Zoo's 150th anniversary project supporting the conservation of endangered species.

IMAGE: Foundation CEO Dr Catherine Brown OAM with artist Deborah Halpern at the launch of 'Mali in the City', Melbourne Zoo's 150th anniversary project supporting the conservation of endangered species. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives
2010 

Lady Mayoress’ Committee celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Established Melbourne’s Road Home Alliance with the aim to reduce homelessness in the community, provide insight and information to the community, build a network of members and encourage collaboration to refine and improve the practices and policies needed to end homelessness. This was one of the Foundation’s first Strategic Initiatives.

Winter Days of Giving was launched, a community grant making project which provided 23 $5,000 grants to charities nominated by members of the community.

The cities of Hume and Kingston made their first round of charitable grants to local community groups and charities in their respective municipalities.

2011 
Feed Melbourne was launched with Leader Community Newspapers and FareShare

In response to the Queensland Floods the Foundation granted out $240,000 to the Queensland Division of Australian Red Cross for two programs aimed at helping children and young people.

Dr Catherine Brown OAM is appointed as the Foundation’s first female CEO.
2012 
10th Anniversary of Youth in Philanthropy celebrated. Around 200 young people took part in the program.

The Foundation provided funding to the Melbourne Zoo in support of its 150th anniversary project ‘Mali in the city’. This anniversary project supported the conservation of endangered species. Environment granting was introduced, reflecting the area of interest in the Foote gift.

Winter Days of Giving grant was launched in August. The Foundation with assistance of 3AW called upon the community to nominate their favourite charity to receive one of 22 $5,000 grants
2013 
Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation celebrates its 90th Anniversary at Swanson Room, Town Hall.

Launched a new branding identity to better represent the Foundation and a new brand positioning was adopted, inspiring philanthropy. This represented both encouraging community giving and undertaking catalytic grantmaking.

In recognition of our history the Flower Day Appeal was relaunched with the Lady Mayoress’ Committee at a Hight Tea event at Myer Mural Hall.

Estate administration of Eldon Foote’s bequest continues. Funds distributed from 2013 onward are held by the Foundation as trustee of the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust. 

The Lady Mayoress’ Committee Bazaar was brought back.

Hosted the Foundation’s first philanthropy sector event, Social Investment and High Impact Philanthropy Conversation with the Skoll Foundation (US) as our guest philanthropy experts and colleagues.
2014 
The Foundation commissioned a research project to investigate ways in which food service agencies could combine their transport logistics to better serve the needs of our community

Partnered with the Women’s Donor Network to welcome Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE to Melbourne and presented an oration about Philanthropic Investment in Women and Girls to underscore the Foundation’s commitment to applying a gender lens across its work i.e. asking how an issue particularly affected women and girls.

Partnered with Reichstein Foundation to present Julia Unwin CBE, CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in the UK. to deliver an oration on philanthropy about The Next 100 Years, drawing on her expertise on delivering affordable housing.

The Foundation welcomed two new collective giving circles within the Lord Mayor’s Fund Melbourne Women’s Fund and Impact100 Melbourne

A signature grant of $600,000 was awarded to Vincent Care for the redevelopment of Ozanam House to increase accommodation for people transitioning out of homelessness.

Undertook the Melbourne Vital Signs project with Community Indicators Victoria and Community Foundations of Canada to map the things to celebrate and the things to improve in our city. Began granting more closely linked to research into community needs.

Provided a grant to YEAH! (Youth Empowerment Against HIV/AIDS) to fund the AIDS2014 street art project

The Foundation launched a new grants program ‘Youth Employment Seed Challenge’ to seek out innovative new solutions to address ongoing issues and provide funding opportunity to test ideas. The Seed Challenge focused on creating employment for your people with disability and included a Pitch session focused on providing major funding for testing of new solutions.
2015 
The Foundation Initiated and launched a working group to research the issue of older women living in income poverty and identify solutions

The Swanson Society is launched to celebrate bequestors during their lives.

A signature grant of $1 million was awarded to Collingwood Arts Precinct for the redevelopment of Collingwood TAFE, in partnership with other foundations and the State Governments. This was funded from the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust within the Lord Mayor’s Fund.

Co-funded the introduction of a LED light system in St Paul's Cathedral, to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 per cent. Environment & Sustainability Impact Area developing strongly.

Due to growing funds, Frontier was appointed as asset allocation advisors and Dr Raphael Arndt joined the Board and became Chair of the Investment Committee.

The Foundation began work on an grant and impact reporting CRM project, a digital transformation project.
2016 
The Foundation placed a climate lens across its work acknowledging the impact of climate change on all of its Impact Areas including housing, jobs, health and the environment.

The Foundation started including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals icons for each Impact Area and connecting our work with those goals. Following global philanthropy trends, the Foundation launched its first social impact investment program with social investments made to Yume, Hire Up and Habitat for Humanity .

‘Time of Our Lives?’, a report commissioned by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, exploring the key risk factors that often contribute to the feminisation of poverty and disadvantage was launched. This was an example of the gender lens in action.

The Love Locks Project, initiated by the City of Melbourne in partnership with Craft Victoria saw local artists transform the padlocks removed from the Southbank Footbridge into works of art and jewellery. A lottery was held for the chance to win one of the pieces with the proceeds donated to the foundation

The Foundation funded the Climate of the Nation 2016 report as part of the Sustainable Melbourne Impact Area and many other forward-looking projects.
2017 
Affordable Housing for All report launched by The University of Melbourne’s Transforming Housing Partnership of which the Foundation was an active member.

Launch of Affordable Housing Challenge where the Foundation donated $1 million to a project aimed at unlocking underutilised land owned by local government for affordable housing. Led to the Townhall Avenue, Preston project for 40 units.


Launch of Changing Melbourne for Good campaign to engage Melburnians in community philanthropy.

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Act 2017 was passed by the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament reflecting contemporary governance, purposes and powers.

Greater Melbourne Vital Signs 2017 report was released

Inspiring Philanthropy Oration was held in July, with guest orator Michael Northrop, Program Director for Sustainable Development at Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Sustainable cities became a focus for the Foundation.

The Hot Spots initiative began, working with community health organisations supporting vulnerable older people during heatwaves. This was the start of the Foundation’s work in climate resilience.
2018 
The Foundation celebrates its 95th anniversary

Asian-Australian Diaspora Philanthropy research report commissioned by the Foundation investigating the giving traditions and philanthropy of Asia-Australian donors in Melbourne was released

The Foundations Affordable Housing challenge was launched. Partnering with Housing Choices Australia and City of Darebin.

Reached $10 million in distributions for the Foundations annual grants program

Hot Spots Initiative continued and further funding for Climate and Health Alliance and other climate change focused organisations.

Affordable housing projects were required to be energy efficient. The notion of climate safe housing began to influence the Foundation’s work. Jobs in lo or zero carbon industries were also supported.

The work of FoodPrint on Melbourne’s resilient foodbowl continued.

Support of social enterprises from start up to scaling up continued.
2019 
Vital Conversations with Older Women Living in Greater Melbourne report was launched as part of research conducted by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation

Celebrated with Collier Charitable Fund their remarkable milestone of providing $102 million in grants to charities and not-for-profit organisations
2020s
$43,190,396
Donations
$35,898,280
Distributions

The decade began with the community responding to natural disaster and facing uncertain times, unlike anything in recent memory.

Across the 2020 Summer, bushfires raged across the country, and Victorian communities were acutely affected. As in previous times of need, the Foundation activated its Disaster Response Policy and provided immediate relief for communities via $50,000 to Foodbank and $100,000 to Salvation Army.

Shortly after, in March 2020 the world came to a grinding halt, due to what would become known as the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation responded swiftly, within a matter of weeks funding Alfred Health's Department of Infectious Diseases to share its clinical learnings with the broader health community.

Over the next two years, Greater Melbourne would experience some of the longest and strictest lockdown measures in the world and the demand on the charitable and not-for-profit sector was immense. Over $3 million dollars in grants were dedicated to the pandemic response across four key areas: responding to the health impacts of COVID-19; scaling-up existing services to meet increased demand of support; supporting organisational and sector resilience; and building back better as part of the COVID-19 recovery.

The Foundation’s Initiatives has seen it take a leading role in convening, collaborating and building networks for long-term impact. These have included the Affordable Housing Challenge, Hot Spots Initiative, Next Economy Jobs Challenge. The Foundation also began work on decarbonising its investment portfolio.

As the Foundation celebrates its centenary amidst an environment that is increasingly uncertain, the Foundation looks to the future with the optimism, vested in the knowledge of our generous community, the resilience of the charitable and not-for-profit sector, and the Foundation’s ability to intimately understand and respond to need as the Community Foundation for Greater Melbourne.

IMAGE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation applies an Environment & Sustainability Lens across its grantmaking, recognising that the changing climate represents challenges that can disproportionately affect certain cohorts of the community. In response, the Foundation is developing and incubating solutions that ensure an equitable transition to a more sustainable future. IMAGE SOURCE: Climate Council.

2020 
In response to the devastating bushfires across Victoria, the Foundation provided a grant of $50,000 to Foodbank Victoria and a grant of $100,00 to the Salvation Army to assist with immediate relief for communities affected during the bushfire crisis.

In response to COVID-19 the Foundation announced a $250,000 grant to Alfred Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases located at Alfred Hospital. The Foundation continued supporting the Melbourne community and charitable sector capacity building during the COVID pandemic.

Greater Melbourne Vital Signs 2020 report was released.

All donor and stakeholder events were redesigned to online Zoom or Teams meetings.

The Foundation received the Better Philanthropy Award at the Philanthropy Australia Awards for our Affordable Housing Challenge 1 in partnership with Darebin City Council and Housing Choices Australia.

The Foundation responded to the COVID pandemic through rapid response grants and a sector capacity building program. An early grant was made to the Alfred Hospital to investigate treatment for immunocompromised patients including older people.
2021 
The Foundation was the first Australian philanthropic organisation to become a signatory to the International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change.

The foundation joined the giving movement, GivingTuesday, as part of a global day of generosity.

The Foundation continued funding charitable sector capacity building including funding of the NFP Digital Transformation Hub, developed by InfoXchange. Impact investment in Melbourne City Mission’s Living Learning Social Impact Bond.

The Foundation team continued to operate across fundraising and granting through COVID lockdowns and hybrid working arrangements, showing adaptability.
2022 
Youth in Philanthropy celebrated its 20th Anniversary

After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation held four in person events throughout the year, including Swanson Society events, Youth in Philanthropy forum and our Inspiring Philanthropy celebration.

The Foundations Impact Areas were updated to align with the new strategic plan with a climate lens was placed over all Impact Areas.

The Post-COVID Collaborative Funding Round, a joint initiative of the Sidney Myer Fund, Gandel Foundation, Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, The Ian Potter Foundation and Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation co-funded $2 million to unlock employment opportunities in Victoria and Queensland. Cambridge Associates was appointed asset advisors due to their expertise in decarbonisation and international experience in foundation endowment funds.

Greater Melbourne Vital Signs 2022 report was released Support of Social Enterprise World Forum, an international forum hosted in Brisbane, which gave Australian social enterprise sector a boost. Funded Social Enterprise Australia for the Business for Good report into the economic contribution of social enterprise to jobs and GDP.

Climate and Health Alliance follow on grant, noting the connection between health which was the Foundation’s initial purpose and the challenge of climate change.


 
2023 
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Celebrates 100 years of impact
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Timeline

Journey through the story of Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation in this timeline. Explore milestones, appeals and key people through the years.

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1920s
£288,128
Donations
£266,601
Distributions

During the early 1920s Melbourne was a bustling city recovering from the impacts of World War 1 and the Spanish Flu pandemic.

With a growing population, Melbourne’s hospitals were struggling to keep up with the increasing costs of hospital maintenance and patient care.

After two years of planning and consultations with business, government and charities, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sir John Swanston launched The Lord Mayor’s Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities on 14 June 1923. It was to become a centralised collection point for public donations to directly support the maintenance costs of Melbourne’s hospitals.

By the end of the 1920s, the Fund had increased its support from 18 hospitals to over 200 hospitals and charities. Sir John’s vision and intention for the Fund were being realised.

The Fund launched several successful fundraising campaigns such as Flower Day and the Industrial Contributions Scheme as well as taking over the management of the Saturday Hospital Appeal which had been managed by the Lord Mayor’s Office since 1873. The Sunday Hospital Appeal would become a sub-committee with all funds raised managed by the Fund.

The Lord Mayor’s Fund quickly developed an impressive popular reputation as an authority on charities and charitable giving. Melbourne’s daily media provided generous coverage of the Fund’s fundraising appeals encouraging public support and donations. 

From all across the business and community sectors, special events were held to raise money for the Fund including opening nights at theatres, gala balls on visiting ships, special film nights, school events and sporting tournaments. High-profile donors include The Duke and Duchess of York, Sir Sidney Myer, Mr G. J. Coles and Sir Arthur Baillieu. 

The 1920s was an incredible period of establishment and growth for The Fund. It had been brave, almost revolutionary, in creating a range of revenue streams that today would be recognised as workplace giving, donor-advised giving and the early concept of hospital health insurance.

Its early success had prepared it well for the next decade which would prove to be a challenging period in the Fund’s history but also for Australia.

 

IMAGE: 'Day by Day I see greater possibilities on the Scheme, and it is not unreasonable to forecast through this great organisation, an income sufficient for the maintenance of our hospitals and charities.' - Sir John Swanson, 1923. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1924

With support and encouragement from the Charities Board of Victoria, the Hospital Saturday Appeal merges with the Lord Mayor's Fund and the Hospital Sunday Appeal Committee becomes a subcommittee of the Lord Mayor's Fund. The Fund declares that the month of October will be the designated month in which fundraising activities will be undertaken by the two Hospital Appeals. The Saturday and Sunday Hospital Appeals had already been a long-standing tradition in Melbourne since their launch in 1873.

The Fund launches its Industrial Contributions Scheme with the support of the Victorian Charities Board and Trades Hall Council. It would become a very successful workplace giving program for the manufacturing sector, retail businesses and trade unions.

 

1925
Lord Mayor Brunton suggests to the Flower Growers Association the idea of an annual Flower Day Appeal. The first Flower Day Appeal is held on 6 May 1925. The Wattle Day Committee is invited to become an auxiliary committee of the Lord Mayor's Fund.

 

1926
From January to March 1926 Victoria experiences one of its worst bushfire seasons. The Lord Mayor launches the Lord Mayor's Bush Fires Relief Appeal to provide emergency support to the regional communities from Kinglake to Gippsland.
1927
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York visit Melbourne and make a donation to the Fund for the Flower Day Appeal. The third annual Flower Day Appeal is held on Wednesday 11 May raising £2500. The Flower Growers Association had now raised £8000 since the launch of the appeal in 1925.


The Lord Mayor and Lady Morell had the honour of presenting the President and Secretary of the Flower Growers Association Mr N. B. Holloway and Mr J. E. Hunt to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. A special bouquet of a new pansy, cultivated by Mr Hunt, was presented to her Royal Highness, who named the pansy 'Duchess of York'.

1928
Several special events are held throughout 1928. The Shell Company of Australia donates £1700 to commemorate the historic flight by Australian pilot Mr Bert Hinkler from London to Darwin, the first person to fly solo from England to Australia, taking 16 days, and arriving 22 February 1928. 2. At a grand concert opera singer Dame Nellie Melba donates proceeds to the Fund for the Women's Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital; £1743 is distributed between the two women's hospitals. Donations are also received from the Police Carnival, Motion Picture Industry and G. J. Coles and Co. Ltd.
1929
The income generated by the Industrial Contributions Scheme increases by £8000, however, the timber workers strike and 'widespread dislocation of industry' impacts further donations from being received. The scheme is extended to include employees from 'banks, commercial and mercantile houses in the city'. The stock market crash of 1929 hampers further growth for the Scheme in the new financial year. In August 1929, the Lord Mayor's Fund and ABC, with Radio 3LO, establish the Radio Fund to fundraise for the purchase of radio equipment for hospitals. Weekly community singing sessions are held with all proceeds donated to the Radio Fund. Volunteers from ABC and 3LO donate their time to run the singing sessions. 17 hospitals across Victoria receive radio equipment and installation in the first year. Patients can now to listen to the radio during their stay in hospital.
1930s
£821,201
Donations
£769,419
Distributions

The 1930s was an incredibly challenging decade for Australia. The economic impacts of the Great Depression had been severe, intensifying already increasing levels of poverty and putting hospitals and charities under further pressure. The severe weather events of the decade adversely impacted agriculture due to the prolonged drought and bushfires, most notably the Black Friday bushfires in 1939. The outbreak of the polio epidemic started in 1937 and the beginning of World War 2 in 1939.

Support for the Fund and its popularity never wavered during this time, even though the economic impacts of the Great Depression adversely affected household incomes.

Melburnians were generous in nature and the Fund’s Executive Committee and Council were determined to continue to support the health and welfare of the wider Melbourne community through its fundraising and distributions to hospitals and charities.

The Fund became ambitious and launched its Endowment Fund to receive bequests and was the recipient of £25,000 donation from English philanthropist Lord Nuffield.

The industrial contribution scheme reached 140,000 donors and in 1937 the Fund reached £1,000,000 fundraised and distributed to hospitals and charities including to hospitals regional. This was a significant milestone for the Fund.

Other significant milestones included the passing of the Lord Mayor’s Fund Act in Victoria Parliament in 1930 and an income tax exemption from the Federal Government.

 

IMAGE: In 1930, Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities was incorporated by an Act of the Victorian Parliament, ensuring the longevity of the Fund. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.
1930
The Lord Mayor's Fund becomes incorporated by an Act of Parliament on 24th December 1930. The impact of the stock market crash in 1929 begins to have an adverse effect on fundraising activities. The Industrial Contributions Scheme remains popular with the participating workplaces however there is a reduction in members contributing to the Scheme due to the 'depleted ranks of our industrial workers'.
1931
1931 is a very significant year for The Lord Mayor's Fund. The Fund provides grants to 109 grant recipients comprising of 20 hospitals and 89 other charities. Although it had been a difficult year for industrial and commercial businesses, the Fund’s fundraising increases to £95,416, 44.7 per cent higher than the previous year. This is due to an extraordinary increase of 'ordinary and private contributions'. More than ever before, the support from across the community and business continues to grow and is reported as 'unprecedented', with numerous balls, exhibitions, and other special events being held in support of The Fund.
1932
Australian Broadcasting Company becomes the Australian Broadcasting Commission. ABC's support of the Lord Mayor's Radio Fund continued and together they promote the Radio Fund further. Now in its third year, the benefits to patients of having access to the radio to listen to music and other programming is understood to be very beneficial.
1933
The Lord Mayor's Fund celebrates its 10th anniversary and pays a special tribute and acknowledgment to founder Sir John Swanson.
1934
1934 marks the centenary year for Melbourne as a city. The 'stress and strain' of the previous depression years is beginning to lift for industrial and financial businesses. Total income for the year is £93,554 and grant distributions are £89,746, which is a significant increase from the previous year. Two significant bequests are received by the Fund and the Executive Committee plans to establish an Endowment Fund similar to the King Edward Hospital Memorial Fund in London.
1935
During the early 1930s the Fund developed the early concept for a voluntary hospital insurance scheme with the Australian Medical Association, however, after much discussion and legal advice, the Fund decides that the voluntary contribution scheme should be separate from the Fund. 'The whole scheme was reconstituted and incorporated under an association named the Hospital Benefits Association.'
1936
The Lord Mayor's Fund reaches a significant milestone: £1 million has been raised and distributed to hospitals and charities since its launch in 1923!
1937
Lord Nuffield's gift of £25,000 is reported as the largest gift ever received by the Fund. Mr Arthur Baillieu had travelled as a passenger on the same ship as Lord Nuffield from London to Melbourne. After several discussions about The Lord Mayor's Fund and Melbourne, Lord Nuffield was so impressed that he donates £25,000 when he arrives in Melbourne. The donation would be distributed to hospitals throughout Victoria and £2500 was allocated to children's charities to address the polio epidemic. Metropolitan hospitals received £15,000 and regional hospitals £7500. Mrs Sidney Myer donated £1000 to support hospitals treating patients with polio.
1938
Flower Day Appeal held every year in May since 1926 with the support of the Flower Growers Association and its members. Due to the drought, some regional flower growers were unable to provide their annual support in the provision of flowers, however, £960 is still raised for the Fund.
1939
For the sixth year in a row, an anonymous donor provides a £100 donation to the Fund's Annual Appeal in October. Curiosity about the identity of this donor captures the attention of daily media. The Consulate of Greece Mr A. J. J. Lucas maintains his tradition of making a donation to the Fund on his birthday. Wattle Day continues to fundraise for children’s charities and Empire Day, tapping in national pride, raises a 'splendid' total of £4930.
1940s
£963,524
Donations
£904,097
Distributions

The Lord Mayor’s Fund was committed more than ever to look after the health and wellbeing of the people of Melbourne throughout the war years.

The Executive Council decided to pull back on fundraising and publicity campaigns out of respect for the Government’s fundraising efforts for the defence programme, war bonds and Red Cross war appeals, as well as for the people of Melbourne who were under pressure to contribute to the war effort.

A fundraising ban had been placed on charities not connected to the war effort, however, the State Government had recognised the important role that Fund continued to play in supporting hospitals and charities and granted the Fund an exemption.

Fundraising continued to steadily increase during the war years putting pressure on the Fund to provide further support for the maintenance costs of hospitals that needed to respond to the care required for returned services.

Post-war saw the Fund face new challenges that would affect fundraising targets. Federal and State governments had imposed higher taxes as part of post-war recovery, the idea of a state lottery system to fund hospitals was proposed by the State Government and there was now increased competition from other charities including overseas aid charities.

But the Fund’s popularity remained. The Fund’s strong reputation and history of successful management of funds and distributions to hospitals and charities ensured that the Fund was held in high regard by Melburnians who were proud of the city’s generous nature and philanthropic history.


IMAGE: Street appeals were a popular form of community fundraising. Nurse Nell Synnott is pictured with Private K. O'Shaughnessy in 1940 selling 'buttons' or pins as part of the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Appeal. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1940
For the sixth year in a row, an anonymous donor provides a £100 donation to the Fund's Annual Appeal in October.

Curiosity about the identity of this donor captures the attention of daily media.

The Consulate of Greece Mr A. J. J. Lucas maintains his tradition of making a donation to the Fund on his birthday.

Wattle Day continues to fundraise for children's charities and Empire Day, tapping in national pride, raises a 'splendid' total of £4,930.
1941
The Fund recognises the important role it plays to secure funding for hospital maintenance, especially with the predicted increased demands that will be placed on hospitals with retuning solders who will require more intensive care. The Annual Flower Day Appeal moves from Wednesday to Friday raising £1666, a record result. The 'Mystery Man' donates £200. 3KZ's Community Singing Sessions at the Melbourne Town Hall continue to be popular.
1942
The Fund reaches £1.5 million milestone and the Annual Appeal raises a record result of £47,815.
1943
1943 marks the 20th anniversary of the Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities. Fundraising records are achieved by all fundraising appeals including the Annual Appeal, Flower Day, Wattle Day and Hospital Sunday Appeal which has now been held every October for 70 years.
1944
The Lord Mayor's Fund moves from its offices in Melbourne Town Hall to 243 Collins Street as office space in the Melbourne Town Hall is required for wartime activities. The Fund reports a record year of fundraising bringing the total amount fundraised since 1923 to £1,796,250.
1945
The Lord Mayor's Fund receives a special exemption from Prime Minister Mr Ben Chifley enabling the Annual Appeal to continue as planned in October and November. All other fundraising appeals are cancelled in support of the Government's War Loan campaign in October. Another record year was achieved and Melbourne’s daily newspapers congratulate the people of Melbourne for 'maintaining its generous attitude to this annual effort.' World War 2 ends in Europe in May 1945 and for Australia, August 1945.
1946
Melbourne re-adjusts to life post-war. Public support for Empire Day, Flower Day, Wattle Day, Sunday Hospital Appeal and the Annual Appeal continues as well as long-standing support from local government including Melbourne City Council.
1947
£2 million milestone reached. The Lord Mayor's Fund records £2,234,727 raised since 1923. A transport strike disrupts the Annual Appeal's Sunday Hospital fundraising. The Fund's Council and its Executive establish a Staff Provident Fund to recognise the long and faithful services of its staff.
1948
Silver Jubilee! 1948 marks the 25th anniversary of the Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities. Fundraising income includes from the industrial contributions scheme (reinstated post war), ordinary and private contributions, Wattle Day, Sunday Hospital Appeal, Municipal donations, Flower Day, Associated Public Schools, Empire Day and Endowment Bequest. The Fund is starting to notice the impact of the Commonwealth Government Social Legislation and its associated tax, as well as other charitable appeals competing for donations and public support such as United Nations Appeal for Children which raised £100,000. The State Movement establish the Hospitals Commission which replaced the Charities Board of Victoria.
1949
1949 is a difficult fundraising year for the Lord Mayor's Fund which results in reduced distributions to hospitals. Rose Day Appeal will now be managed by The Fund. The Industrial Contributions Scheme draws to a close. Hospital Sunday Appeal celebrates its 75th anniversary milestone.
1950s
£1,842,187
Donations
£1,748,585
Distributions

The 1950s proved to be a challenging decade for The Lord Mayor’s Fund. It was a changing landscape both politically and economically. The Fund was faced with new competition from Federal and State social security taxes, a new lottery system and health insurance schemes introduced to support hospitals and a developing public healthcare system.

Even though The Fund maintained its popularity with the public and its place as Melbourne’s philanthropic heart, fundraising in a competitive market challenged the Fund to innovate and look for new opportunities.

The Fund decided to form a new committee for the Annual Appeal, led by Mr E B. Coles to help increase its publicity and direct giving by gaining the support of 100 influential businessmen. This strategy proved to be a success and the Fund reached new records in fundraising.

The Sunday Hospital Committee continued to advocate for voluntary giving, rather than the public contributing to giving through a lottery system.

A change in distributions saw the Fund begin to support specific hospital projects rather than just general hospital maintenance. And the identity of Mr X, the Fund’s generous anonymous donor for 20 years, was finally revealed.

The Endowment Fund continued to receive large bequests, in particular an annual distribution from the estate of Annette, Alice and Edith Collier.

Once again discussions took place about a centralised giving fund to receive all public donations, but wasn’t this the role of the Lord Mayor’s Fund? The United Giving Fund popular in North America was presented as a possible giving model. The Fund would end the decade with another new challenge.

IMAGE: For 65 years, the office of Lord Mayor’s Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities was located at Melbourne Town Hall with direct access to Swanston Street from 1923 – 1988. The Fund’s office was a central, convenient location to receive the many cash and cheque donations from the public and acted as a base on street appeal days held by the Fund as well as other philanthropic and charitable organisations. IMAGE SOURCE: State Library of Victoria

1950
The Fund promotes the need for voluntary giving to continue as an important component of community life. The introduction of the Social Services legislation several years earlier had resulted in a decline in voluntary giving. Flower Day, Rose Day and Wattle Day appeals continue to grow in popularity and donations. The Fund moves back to the Melbourne Town Hall supported by Melbourne City Council. A lottery system is given further consideration by the State Government to support hospitals.
1951
The Lord Mayor's Fund organises the 'Centenary and Jubilee Exhibition' as part of the State Government’s celebrations. The exhibition is opened by the Prime Minister Robert Menzies. It is estimated that 90,000 attended the Exhibition and £10,500 was raised.
1952
The Fund acknowledges a new economic era had begun for Australia and with stringent economic measures, it has been a very difficult year. By the end of the financial year, the Fund records that a milestone £3 million has been raised since 1923. The ’All Nations Fair' organised by the Lady Mayoress raises £1,725 for the Annual Appeal. An 'open house' event for public hospitals proves to be popular once again with the public.
1953
The Lord Mayor's Fund celebrates its 30th anniversary reaching a record year of £207,113 fundraised. English actor Tommy Trinder helps fundraise for the Annual Appeal.
1954
The Sunday Hospital Appeal, held each year as part of the Annual Appeal, reports a record year of donations at £32,000 for its appeal held October 1953. It is also the 80th anniversary since the Sunday Hospital Appeal was launched by the Mayor in 1873. Other long-term fundraising appeals organised by the Fund include Flower Day 7 May, Wattle Day in association with the Children's Welfare Association, Rose Day held on the 27 November to support Free Kindergartens.
1955
Both the Federal and State government's taxes for Social Services Legislation, the Health Scheme and newly launched Hospital and Medical Benefit insurance schemes, have an adverse impact on the Fund's annual fundraising appeals. Along with the introduction of Tattersall's Lottery and increased competition from other charity fundraising appeals, the Fund records noticeable differences in its balance sheet. The Fund maintains its formula of funding 75 per cent to hospitals and medical charities and 25 per cent to other charitable organisations. The Fund raises £37,000 for the New South Wales floods.
1956
1956 Olympics are held in Melbourne.

The Endowment Fund continues to grow to receive bequests from estates including from the estate of Annette, Alice and Edith Collier.

Long-serving former members of the Fund's executive and council members leave bequests including former Lord Mayor Beaurepaire and the Fund's first CEO Mr Glanville Hicks.
1957
Although the Fund remains popular and is held in high esteem among the general public, concerns are raised about the impact of Tattersall's lottery on the fundraising for the Fund. The Hospital Sunday Appeal maintains a strong record of fundraising although raises the concerns about the negative impact that the Tattersall's lottery system will have on voluntary giving. The competitive nature of fundraising appeals is raised and a special conference is organised by the Health Minister, The Hon P. E. Cameron MLC, with representatives from the Patriotic Funds Council, the Hospitals and Charities Commission and the Lord Mayor's Fund to investigate the United Givers Fund.
1958
The Fund records a record breaking year of £320,000 in fundraising and other revenue. A range of special events are held, including being one of two charitable organisations to receive proceeds from the Premiere of 'Around the World in 80 days' and after party attended by producer Mike Todd and his wife film star Elizabeth Taylor. The Annual Appeal launches a campaign to secure the support of 100 prominent city businesses, chaired by Sir Edward Coles. 'Splendid support' is once again received by Melbourne's daily media.
1959
CEO Mr Burton visits the US and Canada to learn more about the United Givers Fund to complete the Committee's review. An Australia Day Appeal is launched.
1960s
$3,304,702
Donations
$3,080,547
Distributions

Under the backdrop of inflation, the Fund continues with its usual operations: its Annual Appeal, Street Appeals, and the Hospital Sunday Appeal, which changes to the 'Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal' in 1962, expanding distributions to include welfare organisations.

The 1962 Annual Report notes that "The year just closed has been one of the most difficult since the Fund was inaugurated in 1923. In common with all philanthropic and charitable organisations, the Fund as been affected by the impact on the economy of the deflationary measures introduced by the Federal Government in November 1960 to arrest inflation".

The large number of company take-overs and mergers occurring is also believed to be affecting fundraising efforts as "prior to their being acquired or merged, many of these companies contributed regularly to the Fund, but with few exceptions their contributions have ceased".

In the community, however, there is a growing tendency for citizens to recognise the work of the Fund by including a bequest in their Will. In 1961, the Endowment Fund increased by over £70,500 - the largest amount in any one year since the inception of the Fund.

IMAGE: The Lord Mayor's Appeal took place annually from September to November. The Appeal was seen as 'affording donors the most effective and equitable method yet devised' of assisting over 200 hospitals and charities. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1960
A Fund for Greater Melbourne: the 32 hospitals and numerous charitable institutions supported by the Lord Mayor's Fund span the breadth of Greater Melbourne. The 1960 Annual Report also makes mention that the majority of the Appeal funds raised during the year has "been contributed within the Greater Melbourne radius".
1961
Lady Mayoress Committee established by Lady Evans with the express purpose of raising monies for the Lord Mayor's Fund and operates as an auxiliary of the Fund with its own approved constitution and office bearers. In its first year the Committee raises £7,372 and will go on to be the Foundation's largest single donor annually, for many years.
1962
It is decided that 'Hospital Sunday' will change to 'Hospitals and Charities Sunday' in future 'because of the growing importance of the work being done by welfare organisations'. The distribution of income will be 50 per cent to medical charities and 50 per cent to welfare (charitable) organisations.
1963
1964
Lady Mayoress Committee's younger, subsidiary group, the 'Young Towners' form and go on to raise thousands of dollars annually for the Fund.
1968
Since opening to the public 10 years ago, the Directors of the I.C.I Building, Australia's first skyscraper, have each year donated the proceeds from sightseers visiting the building.
1969
Decision made to enable charities to benefit from a greater share of the distribution. In future, the distribution will be made on the basis of 50 per cent to hospitals and 50 per cent to charities.
1970s
$5,524,107
Donations
$4,147,644
Distributions

The Foundation's fifth decade was one which saw it adapt dramatically to meet the changing society it served. Annually, there is discussion of how to best improve the distribution formula. With more government funding provided to hospitals and greater need by charitable organisations, the distribution formula changes from 75 per cent to hospitals and 25 per cent to charities in 1969, to an even 50:50 split at the start of the decade, and finally to 25 per cent to hospitals and 75 per cent to charities.

The fundraising landscape is also in flux, with more women entering the workforce and less volunteers to assist with street appeals, Flower Day, Rose Day, Wattle Day and the October Street Appeal come to a close.

A highlight is the centenary celebration of the Hospitals Saturday and Sunday Appeals in 1973, having raised nearly $15 million since 1873.

By the end of the decade, the long-term commitment to building a perpetual endowment fund  is realised when the Endowment Section of the Fund is substantial enough that the annual interest earned exceeds the operating expenses of the Fund.


IMAGE: The success of the Foundation's Street Appeals relied on the generous support of a legion of dedicated volunteers. Pictured are a group of students from Suzan Johnston schools collecting funds during the 1970s.

1970
Approximately 75 per cent of the 'general' funds raised this year come from companies and firms. Throughout the Fund's lifetime institutions including Allans Music; Myer Emporium; Carlton & United Breweries Ltd; G.J. Coles & Coy Ltd; Herald & weekly Times; The Argus; McPhersons; Arnott-Brockhoff-Guest Pty Ltd; Kraft Foods are among the many supporters.
1971
Mr. Samuel John Arthur Fripp, O.B.E., retires from the Council of the Fund after serving since the Fund was founded in 1923 - close to 50 years. Together with the first Secretary of the Fund, Mr E. Glanville Hicks and Town Clerk, Mr. H. S. Wootton, Mr Fripp collaborated in drafting the Constitution under which the Fund operated until its Incorporation in 1930.
1972
Investment policy expands from just governmental and semi-governmental loans to also include First Mortgage loans with long-established Trustee Companies to "considerably increase the funds available for distribution".
1973
Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal celebrates its centenary. The Appeal, at the time known as Hospital Sunday Appeal, was one of two started in 1873 by then Mayor of Melbourne, Alderman Thomas O'Grady. The other, the Hospital Saturday Appeal, became the responsibility of Lord Mayor's Fund for Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities in 1923 under the guidance of the Lord Mayor of Melbourne at the time, Councillor Sir John Swanson. Since 1923, the two Appeals have raised nearly $15 million and a Centenary Ball is held on 21 September to mark the occasion.
1975
Director/Secretary of the Fund, Commodore R. Rhoades, D.S.C., R.A.N. (ret.), retires after 12 years, during which close to $7 million was raised by the Fund for Hospitals and Charities.

The Council decides to vary the distribution at the close of 1975-76:
"Of the 50 per cent of funds raised which are allocated to hospitals, up to half would be devoted to providing items of equipment which they could not expect from Government grants... It is hoped by the Fund's Council that this decision will stimulate giving."
1976
The distribution formula is updated after taking into account a number of factors affecting the financing of hospitals - notably the advent of Medibank. It is decided that 25 per cent will go to hospitals to pay for special projects not supported by government funding, and 75 per cent to charities.

The support for 'special projects' is a turning point for the Fund, having previously provided for general maintenance for hospitals. These 'special projects' herald the early beginnings of what would become known as the Foundation's 'Responsive Grants' program, an application-based granting structure. In the 1970s, the 'special projects' are determined the financial year prior to the grant being paid and are used to demonstrate specific need and encourage giving.
1977
It is decided that the Fund's historic Flower Day and Rose Day will be discontinued due to a diminishing number of collectors. The October Street Appeal and Wattle Day end the following year, given further Government subsidies for kindergartens. The Fund's Street Appeals raised $XXXXXX over XX years.
1978
The Endowment Section of the Fund is now substantial enough that the annual interest earned exceeds the operating expenses of the Fund.     

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes Patron-in-Chief of the Fund, a position held for close to 40 years.
1980s
$11,164,880
Donations
$7,863,498
Distributions

The Fund starts the 1980s strong with an increase in donors and donations, however the period is characterised by broader economic challenges that affect the giving ability of the community, as well as increased competition from other charitable organisations.

The largest donor to the fund annually, the Lady Mayoress Committee celebrates its 25th anniversary in 1985 and a dinner dance where the Prince and Princess of Wales attend as guests of honour, results in the Committee's highest annual fundraising total: $126,087.

The Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal maintains its giving levels, but the Committee observes that it's the result of 'fewer contributions from fewer places of worship raising more money'.

In these uncertain times, it is the interest earned from the endowment fund that sees the Fund continue the growth trajectory of its distributions to hospitals and charities, totalling $7,863,498 by decade's end.

IMAGE: Over a century after it first commenced, the Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal continues through the 1980s. During this period, the Appeal raises $445,659 and the promotional flyers produced annually share the impact of contributions by congregations.  IMAGE SOURCE: State Library of Victoria

1980
There is continued refinement of the distribution formula in an effort to ensure the amounts are 'useful'. This year each charity receives at least $2,300.
1981
1982
1983
This year marks 60 years of the Fund's association with auditors Fell & Starkey - antecedent of the present-day Ernst & Young - and legal advisors Gillott, Mopir & Winneke (present-day MinterEllison). Both firms acted in either a pro bono capacity or returned their fee as a donation
1984
1985
Lady Mayoress Committee raise $126,087 in its 25th year. The highlight of the Silver Anniversary year was a Dinner Dance celebrating Victoria's Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) on 30 October 1985 with the Prince and Princess of Wales attending as guests of honour.

The Caring Society of the Lord Mayor's Fund launches, recognising people who have pledged to annually donate a minimum contribution to the Fund.
1986
1987
“This year, as an indication of the increasing needs of charities, we have received far more requests for help than in the history of the Fund. To enable us to respond in a positive way we are fortunate that increased generosity by Trusts, Businesses, Estates and our generous donors has enabled us to give grants to 29 public hospitals and 114 charities amounting to $743,746, as well as distributing a further $227,655 in specific donations. It is difficult to adequately thank all our donors but consideration of our very successful year will show them just how rewarding has been their generosity through the year.”
1988
After 65 years, the Fund ceases to staff the Melbourne City Council Information Centre as it moves to other premises within Melbourne Town Hall.     
1989
Hospitals and Charities Sunday raises $51,274, the highest annual figure for the decade. There were a number of factors at the time affecting the outcome of the Appeal: cost of living pressures, competing fundraising efforts from Private Hospitals on the same day, and an increasing tendency for denominations to 'help their own' resulted in "fewer contributions from fewer places of worship raising more money".  While annual amounts were lower than previous years, during the 1980s the Appeal raised $445,659.
1990s
$15,625,428
Donations
$9,202,886
Distributions

The Fund celebrates its 75th anniversary and the generosity of Melburnians who have donated $40 million since its inception.

It is forward-looking in its approach as the new millenium nears, establishing the 'Towards 2001' Vision and Strategic Plan.

1996 is a milestone year where the Lord Mayor's Fund Act is amended  and the organisation becomes known as Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund. The Endowment Fund name is also updated and holds the business name  'Melbourne Foundation' the following year.

The Fund continues to be the recipient of the community's fundraising efforts with newly launched department store Daimaru, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Rialto's 'Run-up' event all contributing.

Bequests also characterise the decade and continue to support the Fund, including $429,174 bequeathed by Mrs. Dorothy E Jarvis, in memory of her late husband and her father who were both employees of the Melbourne City Council. The Fund had established an important role as the holder of charitable bequests for the benefit of charitable purposes in Melbourne.

IMAGE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation celebrates its 75th anniversary in 1998 with a special event at Melbourne Town Hall. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

1990

The Lady Mayoress’ Committee Jumble Sale was renamed the Lady Mayoress’ Annual bazaar. The last three Jumble Sales contributed around $59,000.

After nearly 13 years Executive Director Mr H.S.W Fordyce retired on the 31st of August 1989. Mr F.W. Paine was appointed to the position of Executive Director from 1st September 1989.

Melbourne Financial Markets Charity Ball Committee contributed $145,000 to the Fund

During the 1990's the Fund granted to the Australian AIDS Fund (Victorian Division). The Australian AIDS Fund provided HIV positive men, women and children with supportive accommodation services across the Melbourne metropolitan area. Granting continues to reflect the most urgent charitable and health needs in the community as they emerge.

1991
Bequest from the late Mrs Gillian Ansell was received in July 1991 amounting to $271,143
1992
Bequest from the estate of the late Mr Reginald F Magain who was a generous donor to the fund during his lifetime amounting to $26,000

In June 1992 a magnificent bequest amounting to $429,174 was received from the estate of Mrs Dorothy E Jarvis. At the direction of the testator, this amount has been constituted as a separate endowment in memory of the late husband and father of Mrs Jarvis. Both Mr Stanley Garvis and Mr Frank Filltoe were employees of the Melbourne City Council

Daimaru opening function raised more than $28,000 for the Lord Mayor’s Fund

Entry fees from the annual Rialto Run-Up were donated to the fund
1993
70th anniversary of the fund 

Collections to the Hospitals and Charities Sunday Appeal decreased by 3.5% against the previous year, this reflected both the economic situation and the great number of other appeals being placed before congregations.
1994
The last Lady Mayoress' Jumble Sale/bazaar was held

Give to one and help many campaign launched. Clemenger Melbourne Pty Ltd provided assistance without charge for a newspaper advertising campaign and production of posters. The campaign uses pictures of collection tins to convey the message that giving the fund is equivalent to donating to many worthy appeals
1995
Mr F W Paine resigns as Executive Director and Secretary. Mr Peter Hudson is appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 October
1996
The name of the Fund was changed to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund following the amending Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund Act 1996 (Vic). The Act aims to meet the needs of the time.

The Fund undertook a major review of its operation and structure which resulted in the development and adoption of the “Towards 2001” Vision and Strategic Plan

The Fund becomes an affiliate member of United Way Australia
1997
The Fund's Endowment Fund becomes the Melbourne Foundation

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the City of Melbourne worked with the Fund to produce a gala concert, Symphony in the City to raise funds
1998
75th anniversary of the Lord Mayor's Charitable fund. Melburnians have donated $40 million since its inception

The Fund contributed $100,000 to help establish the OK 3000: a project for Melbourne’s youth in conjunction with the City of Melbourne. This program was aimed to re-connect newly homeless young people back to support networks in their community.

125th Annual Sunday Appeal.

In recognition of the Fund’s 75th anniversary the Building for Tomorrow $1 million Melbourne Foundation Appeal was launched

The Fund’s brand was reimagined to reflect its proactive direction into the millennium. Respecting the Funds 75-year history, the coat of arms was retained while the overall image was redesigned to provide a stronger and more contemporary appearance.

Following the installation of new street signs in the CBD, the City of Melbourne donated its old street signs along with parking meters, old park benches and drinking fountains to the fund to be auctioned. More than 1,500 people attended the Leonard Joel Auctions Rooms for the auction which raised $118,805
1999
Lady Mayoress’ Committee celebrates their 40th anniversary contributing $90,000 during the financial year

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund co-ordinated the receipt of donations to assist the Kiev District Hospital for Children which treated the children of victims of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster. The appeal raised over $35,000 plus an estimated $250,000 worth of medical supplies.

In recognition of the Fund’s 75 years of service to the community, the City of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and AVS catering all contributed two special school days for almost 1,200 year 4 and 5 students from schools in the City of Melbourne and surrounding suburbs, as well as nearly 200 accompanying teachers and adults.

Continuing the tradition of supporting disasters, the Fund donated $10,000 to the Linton Bushfire Appeal to support the families of the firefighters who tragically lost their lives.
2000s
$132,279,443
Donations
$32,998,474
Distributions

The 2000s saw the Foundation reach new milestones thanks to the the exceptional generosity of Mr Eldon Foote QC.

Mr Eldon Foote QC was a Canadian lawyer who started a successful business in Australia in the 1960s, which later expanded to the Asia Pacific region.

In 2001, together with his wife, Anne, he established the permanently endowed Eldon and Anne Foote Trust (with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund) with an initial contribution of $5 million, and a further $5 million the following year.

The areas of interest that could be supported include social causes, environmental issues, the arts, medical research, health, education and recreation.

Upon his passing in 2004, Mr Eldon Foote QC bequeathed $140 million to the Foundation to continue this work - the largest gift in its history.

This gift placed the Foundation in a much stronger position to respond to community needs and support landmark projects to a level never before possible.

In response, the Foundation introduces 'core pillars' in 2008, what would later become 'Impact Areas', structuring its grantmaking. The grantmaking within these pillars are also strengthened by Grants Advisory Panels of subject matter experts.

The decade closes with an outpouring of community support in the days following the February 2009 Black Saturday bushfires where public donations, coupled with The Foundation’s own capital, enable the Foundation to distribute approximately $1 million to the frontline agencies working with families and individuals directly affected by the disaster. Again disaster response was a critical role for the Fund.

IMAGE: The largest donor to the Foundation, Mr Eldon Foote QC (far left) is pictured with his wife Anne and then Foundation Chairman, Geoffrey Green. After establishing the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation in 2000, Mr Foote provided for further distributions of $140 million to Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation through the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust upon his passing in 2004. Today, grants are made in many areas of interest as specified in the Foote Trust Deed of Gift. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives.

2000

A special appeal was launched to assist the victims of the Taiwan earthquake. The fund coordinated the receipt of donations that totalled $136,530.

The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund inaugural Race Day was held at Flemington on Sunday 27 February. The program included the Lord Mayor’s Cup and the Lady Mayoress’ Plate. Sponsorship totalling $52,800 was received for the event.

During the year the Fund undertook a number of marketing and promotional activities including the launch of a promotional tram.

Shane Crawford, captain of the Hawthorne Football Club and John Wood of the TV show Blue Heelers became the Funds first ambassadors.

Through the generosity of the City of Melbourne, the Fund was able to host a corporate fundraising night during the Olympic Games Football series held at the MCG. 60 guests enjoyed watching the ladies' Nigeria versus USA (current world champion) game and the men's match of Morocco and Spain.

2001
The Fund entered into a partnership with Adshel Australia to provide advertising space through more than 1,200 bus/tram stop shelters across Metropolitan Melbourne. Adshel has generously offered to display on a pro bono basis the Fund's new 'smiley' posters at various bus/tram shelters where advertising space is not being used by commercial clients.

Eldon and Anne Foote Trust (sub fund in Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund) established with a contribution of $5 million.

Excerpt from 2001 annual report:
“The Fund received a $5 million boost through a gift from Eldon and Anne Foote.

Born in Alberta, Canada, Eldon Foote, a QC in Canada took one year's leave from his successful law career late in the 1960s to start a business in Australia. At the end of that year he decided that, rather than return in the law, he would expand the business to Japan and Hong Kong. Mr Foote sold the business 30 years later. His New Zealand born wife, Anne, spent over 20 years in the nursing profession.

This very generous gift will provide ongoing benefit to the Australian community. The Trust will take a pro-active approach to meeting community needs. Distributions will be made annually from income received. The areas in which the Footes have a personal interest will provide a basis for the selection of grant recipients, namely social causes, environmental issues, the arts, medical research, health, education and recreation.” The Fund continues to respond to the needs of the community.
2002
The Fund's Youth in Philanthropy program was launched with four schools; Melbourne High School, University High School, MacRobertson Girls' High School and Melbourne Grammar School. Youth in Philanthropy aims to teach the next generation of community leaders about community needs and philanthropy.

The Fund was selected to be recipient of the funds raised from the Fuji Film Professional Photographer of the year awards.

A further very generous donation of $5 million from Eldon and Anne Foote was received bring the Foote Trust’s capital asset to more than $10 million. In February the inaugural grants, totalling $123,600, were made from the trust.
2003
Hospital and Charities Sunday Appeal changes its name to the All Faiths Community Appeal

Following the bushfires in early 2003 the fund is able to direct $165,000 to the relief of those communities most immediately affected by the fires in northwest regional Victoria

Reader’s Feast Bookstore donated $5 from the sale of each book at its launch in Federation Square of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2004
The City of Hume established the Hume Charitable Trust, the first of Melbourne’s municipalities to join  the community fund program within the Lord Mayor’s Fund.

Eldon Foote passes away. Under his will, he leaves half his residual estate to Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation through the Eldon and Anne Foote Trust.
2005
Continuing the tradition of supporting local communities in their charitable giving, the Foundation helped City of Melbourne coordinate their fundraising efforts to support those affected by the Boxing Day tsunami in Sri Lanka.
2006
Inaugural Heart of Melbourne Ball is organised by the Lady Mayoress’ Committee

In March, the Fund officially launches the Children's Fitness Trust in response to the growing public concern over the inactive lifestyles many of Melbourne's children are now leading. The Fund was keen to support programs that encourage healthy and active lifestyles particularly addressing the needs of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Music Men's CD single 'John So, he's my bro' is launched as a special fundraising initiative for the 'Give it a Go' program. The proceeds from the sale of the CDs have been allocated to the 'Give it a Go' program. The YMCA is one of the program's funding recipients and is currently conducting activities that encourage families to participate in healthy leisure activities together.

A significant donation of $8 million is received from the estate of Mr Eldon Foote as the estate administration continues.

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund hosts the United Way International World Assembly, bringing together over 300 delegates for 40 countries to Melbourne
2007
The Fund launches a new public fundraising appeal, Heart of Melbourne. As part of the appeal launch celebrations, the Fund presents Australia’s much-loved music group The Seekers with the Key to City in recognition of their commitment and service to various Australian charitable organisations over the past four decades.

This year’s ‘Give it a Go!’ program includes a concert for 2,000 primary school children at the Melbourne Town Hall. The special guest performer is Bindi Irwin and The Crocmen supported by the musical comedy group Laugh Out Loud.

The invested corpus (formerly known as the Greater Melbourne Foundation) grows by $26 million to $70 million

Kingston City Council establishes their community fund within the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund  with a $100,000 investment.
2008
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation becomes a business name of the Fund.

For the first time, $8 million is distributed to Melbourne’s charities and public hospitals

The Foundation formally introduces three core pillars (Impact Areas), Family, Health, and Life Care. Distribution of grants for this years was: Family 23%, Health 39%, Lifecare 33%, Environment 3%, and Arts Sport and Educations 2%

Melbourne’s Choir of Hard Knocks launches this year’s Heart of Melbourne Appeal at the MCG, where they perform a medley of songs for the football crowd before 'first bounce'.

Lord Mayor John So and Lady Mayoress Wendy Cheng welcome special guests Olivia Newton-John and her husband, John Easterling, to the Heart of Melbourne Ball where Ms Newton-John gratefully accepted the Foundation’s first signature grant. The grant was to build a specially designed facility for cancer research, treatment, and patient-centred care.

To celebrate the Foundation’s 85th anniversary one grant worth $3000 is distributed each day for 85 days. Members of the public are invited to nominate their favourite charity and each day a new grant recipient was announced on 3AW.
2009
In the days following the Black Saturday bushfires public donations, coupled with the Foundation’s own capital, enable the Foundation to distribute approximately $1 million to the frontline agencies working with families and individuals directly affected by the disaster.

Two new Grants Advisory Panels are established: Environment, and Arts, Sports & Education.

The Foundations donor program grows by 40 per cent with the commencement of a telemarketing program.
2010s
$285,638,579
Donations
$95,322,483
Distributions

The 2010s will be remembered as one of the most incredible and transformative decades for the Foundation. With the appointment of Dr Catherine Brown OAM as CEO in 2011, the Foundation embarked on a series of important projects. These included creating a strategic grants program based on the priority challenges of the day facing Melbourne.  Impact Areas were put in place with program managers who were knowledge experts in homelessness and affordable housing, environment and sustainability, education and employment, and healthy and resilient communities. Dr Brown also introduced a new model of philanthropy that would move the Foundation towards a more catalytic approach, where the Foundation was often an early funder to enable a solution to a tough problem to be tested and later scaled up. This systems change approach to grantmaking also included using all the ‘philanthropy toolbox’ including research, strategic communications, collaborations, influencing policy, and impact investment and social enterprise support. Initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Challenge, where the Foundation led collaborations,  would receive Philanthropy Australia’s award for Better Philanthropy in 2020.

The Foundation’s brand identity was updated with a new logo and positioning to better reflect the work of the Foundation as the community foundation for Greater Melbourne and the Act of Parliament was replaced in 2017.  Collective giving in the form of giving circles launched in Australia with the Foundation becoming the host foundation in 2014 to Impact100 Melbourne and Melbourne Women’s Fund. The Foundation’s reputation as a trusted and well-governed community foundation continued to grow and attracted donors to its charitable fund accounts and gift in wills through its bequest program Swanson Society. The student program Youth in Philanthropy reached capacity with 20 schools from across Melbourne enrolled.

One of the most important additions to the Foundation’s grants program was to increase its funding of environmental projects in response to the emerging health impacts and other adverse effects of climate change on people and communities. From 2016 onwards, he Foundation’s entire grants program would be viewed through a climate change lens to ensure all aspects of impact due to a changing climate would be addressed.

Throughout the decade the Foundation undertakes critical research projects including Greater Melbourne Vital Signs which helps the Foundation to identify emerging issues and two research projects to understand the life events that can lead women to retire in poverty.  These research projects, and others, help the Foundation to become proactive in its grantmaking by providing funding to projects early to tackle the issue.

By the end of the decade, the Foundation has a reputation as one of Australia’s leading philanthropic organisations. It now boasts an innovative and award-winning grants program and a diverse range of philanthropic services for donors with individual, collective and community giving options.

Foundation CEO Dr Catherine Brown OAM with artist Deborah Halpern at the launch of 'Mali in the City', Melbourne Zoo's 150th anniversary project supporting the conservation of endangered species.

IMAGE: Foundation CEO Dr Catherine Brown OAM with artist Deborah Halpern at the launch of 'Mali in the City', Melbourne Zoo's 150th anniversary project supporting the conservation of endangered species. IMAGE SOURCE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation Archives
2010

Lady Mayoress’ Committee celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Established Melbourne’s Road Home Alliance with the aim to reduce homelessness in the community, provide insight and information to the community, build a network of members and encourage collaboration to refine and improve the practices and policies needed to end homelessness. This was one of the Foundation’s first Strategic Initiatives.

Winter Days of Giving was launched, a community grant making project which provided 23 $5,000 grants to charities nominated by members of the community.

The cities of Hume and Kingston made their first round of charitable grants to local community groups and charities in their respective municipalities.

2011
Feed Melbourne was launched with Leader Community Newspapers and FareShare

In response to the Queensland Floods the Foundation granted out $240,000 to the Queensland Division of Australian Red Cross for two programs aimed at helping children and young people.

Dr Catherine Brown OAM is appointed as the Foundation’s first female CEO.
2012
10th Anniversary of Youth in Philanthropy celebrated. Around 200 young people took part in the program.

The Foundation provided funding to the Melbourne Zoo in support of its 150th anniversary project ‘Mali in the city’. This anniversary project supported the conservation of endangered species. Environment granting was introduced, reflecting the area of interest in the Foote gift.

Winter Days of Giving grant was launched in August. The Foundation with assistance of 3AW called upon the community to nominate their favourite charity to receive one of 22 $5,000 grants
2013
Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation celebrates its 90th Anniversary at Swanson Room, Town Hall.

Launched a new branding identity to better represent the Foundation and a new brand positioning was adopted, inspiring philanthropy. This represented both encouraging community giving and undertaking catalytic grantmaking.

In recognition of our history the Flower Day Appeal was relaunched with the Lady Mayoress’ Committee at a Hight Tea event at Myer Mural Hall.

Estate administration of Eldon Foote’s bequest continues. Funds distributed from 2013 onward are held by the Foundation as trustee of the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust. 

The Lady Mayoress’ Committee Bazaar was brought back.

Hosted the Foundation’s first philanthropy sector event, Social Investment and High Impact Philanthropy Conversation with the Skoll Foundation (US) as our guest philanthropy experts and colleagues.
2014
The Foundation commissioned a research project to investigate ways in which food service agencies could combine their transport logistics to better serve the needs of our community

Partnered with the Women’s Donor Network to welcome Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE to Melbourne and presented an oration about Philanthropic Investment in Women and Girls to underscore the Foundation’s commitment to applying a gender lens across its work i.e. asking how an issue particularly affected women and girls.

Partnered with Reichstein Foundation to present Julia Unwin CBE, CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in the UK. to deliver an oration on philanthropy about The Next 100 Years, drawing on her expertise on delivering affordable housing.

The Foundation welcomed two new collective giving circles within the Lord Mayor’s Fund Melbourne Women’s Fund and Impact100 Melbourne

A signature grant of $600,000 was awarded to Vincent Care for the redevelopment of Ozanam House to increase accommodation for people transitioning out of homelessness.

Undertook the Melbourne Vital Signs project with Community Indicators Victoria and Community Foundations of Canada to map the things to celebrate and the things to improve in our city. Began granting more closely linked to research into community needs.

Provided a grant to YEAH! (Youth Empowerment Against HIV/AIDS) to fund the AIDS2014 street art project

The Foundation launched a new grants program ‘Youth Employment Seed Challenge’ to seek out innovative new solutions to address ongoing issues and provide funding opportunity to test ideas. The Seed Challenge focused on creating employment for your people with disability and included a Pitch session focused on providing major funding for testing of new solutions.
2015
The Foundation Initiated and launched a working group to research the issue of older women living in income poverty and identify solutions

The Swanson Society is launched to celebrate bequestors during their lives.

A signature grant of $1 million was awarded to Collingwood Arts Precinct for the redevelopment of Collingwood TAFE, in partnership with other foundations and the State Governments. This was funded from the Eldon & Anne Foote Trust within the Lord Mayor’s Fund.

Co-funded the introduction of a LED light system in St Paul's Cathedral, to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 per cent. Environment & Sustainability Impact Area developing strongly.

Due to growing funds, Frontier was appointed as asset allocation advisors and Dr Raphael Arndt joined the Board and became Chair of the Investment Committee.

The Foundation began work on an grant and impact reporting CRM project, a digital transformation project.
2016
The Foundation placed a climate lens across its work acknowledging the impact of climate change on all of its Impact Areas including housing, jobs, health and the environment.

The Foundation started including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals icons for each Impact Area and connecting our work with those goals. Following global philanthropy trends, the Foundation launched its first social impact investment program with social investments made to Yume, Hire Up and Habitat for Humanity .

‘Time of Our Lives?’, a report commissioned by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, exploring the key risk factors that often contribute to the feminisation of poverty and disadvantage was launched. This was an example of the gender lens in action.

The Love Locks Project, initiated by the City of Melbourne in partnership with Craft Victoria saw local artists transform the padlocks removed from the Southbank Footbridge into works of art and jewellery. A lottery was held for the chance to win one of the pieces with the proceeds donated to the foundation

The Foundation funded the Climate of the Nation 2016 report as part of the Sustainable Melbourne Impact Area and many other forward-looking projects.
2017
Affordable Housing for All report launched by The University of Melbourne’s Transforming Housing Partnership of which the Foundation was an active member.

Launch of Affordable Housing Challenge where the Foundation donated $1 million to a project aimed at unlocking underutilised land owned by local government for affordable housing. Led to the Townhall Avenue, Preston project for 40 units.


Launch of Changing Melbourne for Good campaign to engage Melburnians in community philanthropy.

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Act 2017 was passed by the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament reflecting contemporary governance, purposes and powers.

Greater Melbourne Vital Signs 2017 report was released

Inspiring Philanthropy Oration was held in July, with guest orator Michael Northrop, Program Director for Sustainable Development at Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Sustainable cities became a focus for the Foundation.

The Hot Spots initiative began, working with community health organisations supporting vulnerable older people during heatwaves. This was the start of the Foundation’s work in climate resilience.
2018
The Foundation celebrates its 95th anniversary

Asian-Australian Diaspora Philanthropy research report commissioned by the Foundation investigating the giving traditions and philanthropy of Asia-Australian donors in Melbourne was released

The Foundations Affordable Housing challenge was launched. Partnering with Housing Choices Australia and City of Darebin.

Reached $10 million in distributions for the Foundations annual grants program

Hot Spots Initiative continued and further funding for Climate and Health Alliance and other climate change focused organisations.

Affordable housing projects were required to be energy efficient. The notion of climate safe housing began to influence the Foundation’s work. Jobs in lo or zero carbon industries were also supported.

The work of FoodPrint on Melbourne’s resilient foodbowl continued.

Support of social enterprises from start up to scaling up continued.
2019
Vital Conversations with Older Women Living in Greater Melbourne report was launched as part of research conducted by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation

Celebrated with Collier Charitable Fund their remarkable milestone of providing $102 million in grants to charities and not-for-profit organisations
2020s
$43,190,396
Donations
$35,898,280
Distributions

The decade began with the community responding to natural disaster and facing uncertain times, unlike anything in recent memory.

Across the 2020 Summer, bushfires raged across the country, and Victorian communities were acutely affected. As in previous times of need, the Foundation activated its Disaster Response Policy and provided immediate relief for communities via $50,000 to Foodbank and $100,000 to Salvation Army.

Shortly after, in March 2020 the world came to a grinding halt, due to what would become known as the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation responded swiftly, within a matter of weeks funding Alfred Health's Department of Infectious Diseases to share its clinical learnings with the broader health community.

Over the next two years, Greater Melbourne would experience some of the longest and strictest lockdown measures in the world and the demand on the charitable and not-for-profit sector was immense. Over $3 million dollars in grants were dedicated to the pandemic response across four key areas: responding to the health impacts of COVID-19; scaling-up existing services to meet increased demand of support; supporting organisational and sector resilience; and building back better as part of the COVID-19 recovery.

The Foundation’s Initiatives has seen it take a leading role in convening, collaborating and building networks for long-term impact. These have included the Affordable Housing Challenge, Hot Spots Initiative, Next Economy Jobs Challenge. The Foundation also began work on decarbonising its investment portfolio.

As the Foundation celebrates its centenary amidst an environment that is increasingly uncertain, the Foundation looks to the future with the optimism, vested in the knowledge of our generous community, the resilience of the charitable and not-for-profit sector, and the Foundation’s ability to intimately understand and respond to need as the Community Foundation for Greater Melbourne.

IMAGE: Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation applies an Environment & Sustainability Lens across its grantmaking, recognising that the changing climate represents challenges that can disproportionately affect certain cohorts of the community. In response, the Foundation is developing and incubating solutions that ensure an equitable transition to a more sustainable future. IMAGE SOURCE: Climate Council.

2020
In response to the devastating bushfires across Victoria, the Foundation provided a grant of $50,000 to Foodbank Victoria and a grant of $100,00 to the Salvation Army to assist with immediate relief for communities affected during the bushfire crisis.

In response to COVID-19 the Foundation announced a $250,000 grant to Alfred Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases located at Alfred Hospital. The Foundation continued supporting the Melbourne community and charitable sector capacity building during the COVID pandemic.

Greater Melbourne Vital Signs 2020 report was released.

All donor and stakeholder events were redesigned to online Zoom or Teams meetings.

The Foundation received the Better Philanthropy Award at the Philanthropy Australia Awards for our Affordable Housing Challenge 1 in partnership with Darebin City Council and Housing Choices Australia.

The Foundation responded to the COVID pandemic through rapid response grants and a sector capacity building program. An early grant was made to the Alfred Hospital to investigate treatment for immunocompromised patients including older people.
2021
The Foundation was the first Australian philanthropic organisation to become a signatory to the International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change.

The foundation joined the giving movement, GivingTuesday, as part of a global day of generosity.

The Foundation continued funding charitable sector capacity building including funding of the NFP Digital Transformation Hub, developed by InfoXchange. Impact investment in Melbourne City Mission’s Living Learning Social Impact Bond.

The Foundation team continued to operate across fundraising and granting through COVID lockdowns and hybrid working arrangements, showing adaptability.
2022
Youth in Philanthropy celebrated its 20th Anniversary

After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation held four in person events throughout the year, including Swanson Society events, Youth in Philanthropy forum and our Inspiring Philanthropy celebration.

The Foundations Impact Areas were updated to align with the new strategic plan with a climate lens was placed over all Impact Areas.

The Post-COVID Collaborative Funding Round, a joint initiative of the Sidney Myer Fund, Gandel Foundation, Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, The Ian Potter Foundation and Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation co-funded $2 million to unlock employment opportunities in Victoria and Queensland. Cambridge Associates was appointed asset advisors due to their expertise in decarbonisation and international experience in foundation endowment funds.

Greater Melbourne Vital Signs 2022 report was released Support of Social Enterprise World Forum, an international forum hosted in Brisbane, which gave Australian social enterprise sector a boost. Funded Social Enterprise Australia for the Business for Good report into the economic contribution of social enterprise to jobs and GDP.

Climate and Health Alliance follow on grant, noting the connection between health which was the Foundation’s initial purpose and the challenge of climate change.


 
2023
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Celebrates 100 years of impact