Australians Triple Charity Giving to $1.56B in 10 Years

Ten years ago, a simple idea took root: what if Australians could see how much their wealthiest neighbors were giving to charity? The result has been nothing short of remarkable.

The Philanthropy 50 list, which tracks Australia's biggest charitable donors, just released its tenth annual report. The numbers tell a story of growing generosity that's transforming communities across the country.

In 2016, the 50 biggest donors gave away $471 million combined. Last year, that number soared to $1.56 billion, a staggering 230% increase. The average individual gift has more than tripled, climbing from $9.4 million to $31.3 million.

New faces on the list show the breadth of causes Australians care about. Quentin and Kylie Birt wrote a $57 million check to help disadvantaged youth in central Australia, one of the largest single donations of the year.

Perth businessman Ted Powell created the Ragdoll Foundation in honor of his late wife, who loved cats. The foundation gave $50 million to a Western Australia veterinary medicine school and pledged another $50 million for future programs.

Technology entrepreneurs are leading the charge. Scott Farquhar and Kim Jackson's Skip Foundation joined the list, along with the CLEARbridge Foundation and several others focused on everything from education to environmental causes.

John McLeod of JBWere, who helped create the list, says transparency has been the secret ingredient. When wealthy donors go public with their giving, it inspires others to do the same.

"What I tell people is that if you care about these causes enough to give money to them, then by letting others know that you care so much, it might make them want to give money too," McLeod explains. He's seen it work firsthand.

About half a dozen foundations that initially kept their donations private have since opened up. Some even reach out proactively now to make sure their latest gifts are included, creating a positive form of competitive tension.

The Ripple Effect

The list's impact goes beyond just tracking numbers. It's changed the culture of giving in Australia.

When the first list came out in 2016, it was sparked by groundbreaking donations like Andrew and Nicola Forrest's $65 million gift to the University of Western Australia. Back then, such massive charitable contributions made headlines because they were rare.

Now they're becoming part of a pattern. Each year's list shows more people stepping up, more money flowing to causes that matter, and more foundations embracing transparency.

The data comes from public reporting to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, where foundations must register to receive tax benefits. Most voluntarily disclose their giving, making it possible to celebrate their impact.

McLeod says the goal was always encouragement, not judgment. A decade of data proves the approach is working.

Ten years of transparency has created a culture where giving generously isn't just admirable—it's becoming expected.