Minderoo Foundation's Strategic Philanthropy Fuels Transformative Change in Western Australia
Western Australians possess a distinctive character: they are hard-working, pragmatic, fiercely proud of their origins, and deeply connected to this remarkable corner of the world. At the Minderoo Foundation, we share that profound sense of pride in calling Western Australia home. While our initiatives and collaborations extend across Australia and reach global audiences, WA is where our story commenced twenty-five years ago, thanks to the vision and generosity of Andrew and Nicola Forrest. It remains the very heartbeat of our mission today.
A Deliberate and Focused Investment Strategy
Our philanthropic approach is intentional and deliberate. We concentrate our resources where they can generate the most significant difference, guided by solid evidence and anchored in a long-term perspective on impact. We support those who are closest to the challenges because they possess the deepest understanding of what sustainable change truly requires, and we provide the certainty needed to deliver that vital work.
This philosophy has translated into a substantial commitment to the local community. In the past year alone, Minderoo has dedicated more than $63 million to partners and projects right here in Western Australia. This investment underscores our unwavering focus on enhancing the health and wellbeing of our community while empowering WA organisations that create life-altering outcomes.
Targeted Initiatives Creating Tangible Outcomes
In Western Australia, our deliberate strategy has manifested in several key areas:
- Health and Early Intervention: Through our partnership with the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, we are supporting culturally safe health pathways for First Nations children and families, improving access to community-designed care.
- Combating Food Insecurity: We recently celebrated the commencement of Foodbank's new Dalyellup facility, a Minderoo-backed project tackling food insecurity and enhancing outcomes for children and families in the South West region. This initiative formed part of our $2 million contribution to Telethon in 2025.
- Early Childhood Development: The Early Years Partnership, a decade-long collective impact collaboration with the State Government, aims to improve child well-being and school readiness in four WA communities. Practical solutions include delivering a four-wheel drive bus for Pandanus Park to access services and constructing a new early childhood hub in Katanning.
Supporting Education, Research, and the Arts
Our commitment to learning in WA extends beyond early years. We continue to support the OceanOmics Centre at the University of Western Australia, a world-class facility using groundbreaking genomics research to characterise marine biodiversity. Through the Forrest Research Foundation, we attract exceptional minds to WA for high-quality, world-changing research.
Minderoo also champions WA's vibrant arts sector with a rich history of support. This includes the Minderoo Artist Fund, Minderoo Pictures, and ongoing backing of the Black Swan State Theatre Company. Our most significant cultural investment is a landmark $30 million donation to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, the largest philanthropic gift ever made to Australia's performing arts sector. This donation, part of a 25-year partnership with Edith Cowan University, will help create world-class performance spaces and provide internationally recognised training.
Driving Systemic Change and Environmental Stewardship
Minderoo has committed approximately $150 million through its Strategic Impact Fund, backing mission-aligned investments that help shift slow-moving markets. This includes supporting WA-based Enzide, which is reducing plastic harm by improving the breakdown of biodegradable plastics. Our role as an early investor is about leadership, helping de-risk opportunities for institutional investors and unlock private capital at scale.
We are equally proud to have played a part in securing the future of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, ensuring the iconic sail-training vessel STS Leeuwin II continues to inspire young Western Australians with leadership and resilience programs.
A Quarter-Century of Purpose-Driven Philanthropy
As Minderoo Foundation moves into 2026, marking its quarter-century milestone, we do so with clarity of purpose and an impatience for progress. The challenges we face are significant, but like the people of Western Australia, we bring an entrepreneurial spirit to tackling complex issues and a determination that never wavers. These collective efforts reflect Minderoo's role as a modern philanthropy: backing what works, driving systemic change, and developing evidence-based solutions that endure for generations.
