On behalf of the Trustees, it gives us great pleasure to share with you the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF) Annual Report for 2020-2021.
It has been another productive year for the TFFF, furthering our mission to support rural, regional and remote communities in Queensland and the Northern Territory to address the challenges that arise when living in geographic isolation. In addition to enabling capacity building initiatives to increase connectedness, resilience and sustainability, the Foundation also continued to support organisations to navigate the varied and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those working in the arts sector. We would particularly like to express our support for those organisations and artists who have borne the brunt of lockdowns and closures. This has been a challenging time for many, and we are acutely aware of this.
TFFF funded 35 organisations across the funding themes of Arts, Community and Education for the financial year: 28 working in Queensland, 6 in the Northern Territory, and 1 with national reach. Many of these grants represent multi-year commitments, and it has been impressive to see how these organisations have continued to grow their knowledge, services and communities over these past twelve months.
While prioritising support for our currently funded organisations in this pandemic environment, TFFF Trustees were pleased to make eight new grant commitments. Four of these were multi-year commitments, and four of the eight organisations are based in the regions they support: Alice Springs working with central desert communities, Maningrida in West Arnhem Land, Townsville reaching up to Cooktown, into Mount Isa and down to Tara in Central Queensland, and Blackall with activities across the Central West of the state.
TFFF Trustees and staff were able to recommence site visits this financial year, travelling to Townsville, Charleville and Darwin to meet with organisations and see their work in action. Thank you to Artback NT, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Dancenorth, Hear and Say Centre, Seed Foundation, Of One Mind/WOW Festival and Opera Queensland for your hospitality. The TFFF team also made it to Sydney to visit colleagues at the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, and together both Foundations remotely attended Philanthropy Australia’s ‘Virtually Together’ online conference.
Beyond their usual responsibilities, the TFFF Trustees, Advisors and staff have been conducting a process of strategic review, ensuring the Foundation remains effective and mission aligned. While this process is a few months away from conclusion, we wish to thank all who have contributed their time and expertise to what has so far been a stimulating and affirming exploration.
Finally, we wish to acknowledge Foundation Trustees and Advisors for their dedication, vision and readiness to embrace new opportunities, invest in relationships and support others to enact positive change in our communities.
Tim Fairfax AC Chair | Dr Neal Harvey CEO |