An alliance of some of Australia’s leading philanthropic foundations has declared their support for Voice.

Equity Trustees Philanthropy has signed the pledge on behalf of seven charitable trusts it manages which are committed to empowering change and supporting First Nations led work to advance research and education to deepen understanding of the key issues underpinning the Voice.

The seven are:

• C H & C E Waddell Trust
• The Alfred Edments Trust
• Henty Louisa Estate
• The Leigh & Marjorie Bronwen Murray Charitable Trust
• The Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust
• Harold Moreland Oldham Perpetual Trust
• The Alison Puzey Charitable Fund.

Read the Philanthropy Australian media release in full here

Thirty-one of Australia’s leading philanthropic foundations and funders are a part of the initiative announced on 28 April, which called for the need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have a say in the matters that affect them through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Signatories to the pledge include Australian Communities Foundation, the Besen Family Foundation, CAGES Foundation, MECCA M-POWER, the Nelson Meers Foundation, The Myer Foundation, Oranges & Sardines Foundation, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Perpetual, the Ross Trust, the Snow Foundation and many more listed here.

Australian philanthropic organisations have previously shown strong support for Voice with more than 70 representatives (including Equity Trustees) from across the philanthropic sector signing an open letter supporting the Uluru Statement in 2019.

Philanthropy Australia CEO, Jack Heath, welcomed the Pledge and said it was a great example of philanthropy doing what it does best – coming together to advocate for change that will have a profound, long-term impact in the lives of individuals and their communities.

“Philanthropy Australia’s support for the Yes case is based on listening to what First Nations peoples say is needed to improve their daily lives and it is backed by the overwhelming majority of our membership."

“We believe that a successful referendum will lead to a better future for all Australians and we acknowledge those philanthropists who are leading the way through this pledge.”

The pledge includes PRF’s recent contribution of $5 million in cornerstone funding which was donated to Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition (AICR), while other funders are supporting the Indigenous campaign, Uluru Dialogue. Some are funding other efforts for Yes. That there are a number of organisations involved in working toward Yes, demonstrates the broad support for a successful referendum.

The philanthropic pledge is available to view on the Philanthropy Australia website here.