AFR Philanthropy 50 List 2025
Australia’s philanthropic landscape has hit a historic milestone. The AFR Philanthropy 50 List 2025 - now in its 9th year - reveals that the country’s top donors gave a record $1.37 billion, up 10% from last year’s $1.25 billion. This continued growth reflects a powerful cultural shift toward large-scale, impactful giving.
A Decade of Remarkable Growth
Since the inaugural Philanthropy 50 list in 2016, the growth in private giving has been striking. In fact, the top three donors this year alone contributed more than the combined total of the full top 50 from each of the first three years. To put that into perspective: the highest donor from 2016 would now rank just sixth on this year’s list.
Some of the biggest markers of change include:
The number of individuals or foundations donating more than $10 million has nearly doubled, from 13 in 2016 to 25 in 2025.
Four donors each gave over $100 million, underscoring the rise of transformative giving.
Who Are Australia’s Top Philanthropists in 2025?
Here are the top five donors from the 2025 list and the causes they support:
| Rank | Name | Focus Areas | Amount Donated ($M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yajilarra Trust | First Nations, climate, disability, Christian faith | $213.9 |
| 2 | Minderoo Foundation | Children, communities, gender equality, environment, global threats | $210.1 |
| 3 | Paul Ramsay Foundation | Young people, First Nations, employment, equity | $182.8 |
| 4 | Estate of Marc Besen & Besen Family Foundation | Arts, Jewish community, education, environment | $143.7 |
| 5 | Stan Perron Charitable Trust | Child health, wellbeing, medical research in WA | $45.4 |
Trends Reshaping Australian Philanthropy
The 2025 list reveals several evolving trends:
Technology-driven wealth continues to influence the landscape, with more tech-based donors entering the philanthropic space.
Women are becoming more prominent in philanthropic leadership. The list features 6 female-led donors, 3 male-controlled donors, and 31 that are family/jointly controlled.
Intergenerational giving is on the rise, signaling a shift in both strategy and scale as younger generations become more involved in legacy foundations or establish their own initiatives.
Why This Matters
Philanthropy at this scale has a profound impact - not only through funding services and research, but also in shaping national conversations about equity, environment, health, and the arts. As the nature of wealth and giving changes, Australia is entering a new era of bold, strategic generosity.
