MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release – 18 March 2025
Today marks the launch of an exciting new collaboration aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people in Western Australia, following the formalisation of the WA Children’s Funders Alliance, a group that brings together leading philanthropists and funders to identify, share, and build funding opportunities that support WA children and their families and carers.
The WA Children’s Funders Alliance comprises Minderoo Foundation, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Fogarty Foundation, Lotterywest, Channel 7 Telethon Trust, the Fremantle Foundation, the Sisters of St John of God; and Philanthropy Australia.
The Alliance will also support the work of the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children, a long-term, national partnership between philanthropy and government. This initiative works with communities across Australia to improve child and family wellbeing and reduce intergenerational disadvantage.
Over the past two years, philanthropists and funders in Western Australia have been exploring ways to collaborate more effectively. With today’s announcement, those efforts have been formalised under the WA Children’s Funders Alliance. The Alliance will be hosted by ARACY – the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth—the home of the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children and the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership—and convened by Megan Enders, former Chief Executive Officer of Fogarty Foundation.
This exciting collaboration brings ARACY back to its birthplace in WA, more than 20 years after it was launched by leading epidemiologist and public health expert Professor Fiona Stanley AC.
Attributable Quotes:
John Hartman, Chief Executive Officer of Minderoo Foundation, said: “Minderoo Foundation is thrilled to support this collaboration. Bringing funders together with a shared vision means a fair future for children, families, and communities in Western Australia.”
Elizabeth Perron AM, Chair of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, said: “Working together allows us to make a bigger impact. The WA Children’s Funders Alliance will help us tackle some of the biggest challenges facing young people and families in Western Australia.”
Prue Warrilow, Chief Executive Officer of ARACY, said: “Western Australia is home to incredible opportunities, but we also know that many children and families face barriers to reaching their full potential. At ARACY, we believe every child should have the chance to thrive. By bringing together experts, policymakers, practitioners, and funders, we help shape systems to truly work for children. As a Health Promotion Charity, we focus on preventing poor health and wellbeing outcomes before they begin. The WA Children’s Funders Alliance is a powerful step towards long-term, positive change for children, young people, and families across the state.”
Megan Enders, Executive Convener of the WA Children’s Funders Alliance, said: “Children in Western Australia will benefit from this Alliance because our WA Funders are committed to working together and ARACY has a strong history of supporting such collaborations to create real change. The Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership and the national Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children are two prime examples. I look forward to working with our partners to improve the lives of children and families across Western Australia.”
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and Minderoo Foundation have each contributed funding to support the convening of the WA Children’s Funders Alliance.
For more information, please contact:
Megan Enders, Executive Convenor
0411 516 221 or megan.enders@aracy.org.au
