Arts, youth and health foundation reaches $20m grant milestone

Picture: James and Diana Ramsay

The James and Diana Ramsay Foundation is proud to have reached a significant milestone in having awarded $20 million in philanthropic grants since its establishment in 2008.

Foundation Executive Director Kerry de Lorme said every dollar distributed was a reflection of the generosity that benefactors James and Diana Ramsay shared in their daily lives, which was “to do good not only today, but for generations to come”.

“This grant-making milestone would not have been possible without the vision and foresight of our founder, the late Diana Ramsay AO, and continues to be made possible thanks to our board and staff who consistently embrace opportunities to continue this remarkable legacy,” Ms de Lorme said.

Since 2008, $20m has been awarded to nearly 70 organisations to assist in delivering more than 220 projects, having a significant impact on thousands of young people, arts and culture, and health innovations - changing lives, improving physical and mental wellbeing, building family relationships, enhancing careers and boosting collections.

"Milestones like this are achieved in conjunction with the dedication of our partner organisations, their staff and volunteers and we admire their incredible work. We enjoy working alongside these organisations to enable them to deliver on their goals of making a tangible difference. Our grant partners bring to life the financial resource that the Foundation is able to offer,” Ms de Lorme said.

“The Foundation has had a long-lasting impact on myriad people and organisations and will continue to do so for decades to come. We know that James and Diana would both be delighted to see this significant milestone reached.”

At the Foundation’s launch 15 years ago, Diana said; “Giving money away is easy, however it is the intention of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation to give it away effectively with a positive impact to those it supports long into the future… I am so delighted and proud about the launch of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation and I know James would be too”.

James Ramsay AO passed away in 1996 and Diana in 2017. Throughout 2023, the Foundation will celebrate James Ramsay, who would have turned 100 this July. Funds from both James and Diana have assisted in the corpus of the Foundation.

The milestone is being celebrated at a partner event this evening at SAHMRI, which will feature a panel of guests from the arts, youth and health sectors who have benefitted from the support of the Foundation.