About Us
"I am not a politician; I do not seek publicity, nor have I any ulterior motive whatsoever, except my love for Australia and the Australian people."
– Sidney Myer
The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation are two separate philanthropic entities of Myer family philanthropy. They have distinct authorising environments but complementary philanthropic activities and are both managed by the same team.
Sidney Myer, a generous philanthropist in his lifetime, left a portion of his estate upon his death in 1934 to be invested for the benefit of the community in which he made his fortune. That act created the Sidney Myer Fund which exists in perpetuity, the income from which will be distributed annually.
The Myer Foundation was established in 1959 by Sidney Myer’s sons, the late Kenneth Myer AC DSC and the late Baillieu Myer AC. The late Neilma Gantner, and Lady Southey AC, sisters of Kenneth Myer and Baillieu Myer, were founding members. The Myer Foundation was created to make grants into sectors and regions not covered by Sidney Myer’s Will. The Myer Foundation was endowed upon the death of Kenneth Myer in 1992, when he left the bulk of his estate to The Myer Foundation in his Will.
The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation continue the legacy of Myer family generosity, through members of succeeding generations of the Myer family, who give in many ways to make significant and lasting changes in our society.