Myer Foundation

The Myer Foundation was established in 1959 as part of Myer Family Philanthropy which comprises the Sidney Myer Fund and the Myer Foundation. Their "mission is to build a fair, just, creative, sustainable and caring society through initiatives that promote positive changes in Australia, and in relation to Australia’s regional setting."

Origins
The Sidney Meyer Fund was established in 1934 with one-tenth of the estate of Sidney Myer. The Myer Foundation was established in 1959 with initial contributions from Sidney Myer's sons, Baillieu Myer and the late Kenneth Myer. The Myer Foundation is now "supported by three successive generations" of the Myer family. On its website the foundations stress that they are separate entities from the Myer retail stores, which are now owned by the TPG Capital Company (which is also referred to as the Texas Pacific Group). TPG bought the Myer Group in May 2006.

Grants for 2004-05
Total grants given in 2004-05 amounts to AU$3,753,592 Source

Focus Area Committees Other
 * Beyond Australia $849,620
 * Growing Philanthropy $1,325,000
 * G4 Fund $257,472
 * The Arts and Humanities $19,000
 * Natural Environment $25,000
 * Social Justice $17,500
 * Tsunami Projects $560,000
 * Asialink $400,000
 * The Cranlana Programme Foundation $300,000

Natural Environment Focus Area Committee
Source
 * Joanna Baevski, Convenor
 * Dashiell Gantner
 * Lindy Hayward
 * Martyn Myer
 * Patrick Myer
 * Tim Offor
 * Stephen Shelmerdine AM
 * Lady Southey AM
 * Dr Barry Traill

Social Justice Focus Area Committee
Source
 * Maree Shelmerdine - Convenor
 * Julie Edwards
 * Carrillo Gantner AO
 * ZiYin Gantner
 * Simon Herd
 * Emily Myer
 * Louise Myer
 * Dorothy Scott OAM
 * Anna Shelmerdine
 * Lady Southey AM

Directors
Source: http://www.myerfoundation.org.au/_101.asp
 * Carrillo Gantner AO - President
 * Rupert Myer AM - Vice President
 * Joanna Baevski
 * Sandy Clark
 * Simon Herd
 * Martyn Myer
 * Sidney Myer
 * Maree Shelmerdine
 * Stephen Shelmerdine AM
 * Lady Southey AC

Publications

 * Annual Report 2004-2005

Contact

 * Web: http://www.myerfoundation.org.au

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation