Our giving
The Russell Mills Foundation is a private philanthropic trust set up by Deed of Trust to support arts organisations and those promoting worthwhile conversations about fairness and justice in Australian society.
Who can receive gifts?
Russell was a benefactor of the photography collection of The Art Gallery of New South Wales and a patron of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Under the Deed of Trust these two organisations will continue to receive support. The Foundation is also able to make gifts to any charitable organisation that furthers one or both of the Objects of the Foundation:
- To support arts organisations in their work promoting the relevance of the arts in Australian society
- To support the activities of arts and other organisations promoting consciousness of, or actually supporting, equity and social welfare in Australian society.
To receive financial support from the Foundation, organisations must also have Deductible Gift Recipient status determined by the Australian Tax Office.
Giving process
Each year the Foundation’s Directors determine a distribution budget based on investment outcomes and internal priorities. The Directors have absolute discretion in deciding how funds are distributed.
The giving cycle operates on a financial year basis with most distributions in November.
Gifts are generally made for specific projects or initiatives that arise from discussions with charitable organisations followed by written proposals.
Seeking a gift?
The Foundation does not conduct a formal call for submissions. Directors are interested in hearing from charitable organisations with proposals that advance the objects of the Foundation as well as from other philanthropists about gifts to jointly fund initiatives targeting mutual goals.
Charitable organisations seeking a gift or further information about our giving should start the ball rolling by emailing the Directors at contact@trmf.org.au.