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Releasing our 2019-20 annual report

18 Oct 2020

The ability to step in and quickly respond to the bushfire and COVID-19 crises, along with a strong commitment to our funding priorities of biodiversity conservation and educational equity are the stand out features of our 2019-20 annual report, in what has been a challenging year for everyone in Victoria.

The report has been released online and sent to stakeholders today.

In the financial year 2019-20 the Trustees of the Ross Trust approved 59 new grants. In total, the Ross Trust paid new and existing multi-year approved grants to the value of $4.4 million.

CEO Sarah Hardy said “Given the context, we are incredibly proud that this has been a year where we have been able to bed down our new strategic direction, whilst being nimble enough to respond to crises.

“It has been a time which has shown up the stark reality of those who don’t have access to basic needs, but also highlighted the incredible role philanthropy can play in responding to crises and calling out these inequities to advocate for change.

“Like so many organisations, we will face significant challenges over the coming years. However, we benefit from a strong financial position, thanks to some excellent advice and planning in the past. We also have a nimble and innovative team which has responded and worked quickly and strategically with grantees to identify and fund areas of great need.

“We could not be more proud of our people and our grantees who have done their level best to help Victorians thrive under extreme pressure,” Sarah said.

Please take some time to read some of the feature stories in the report, including the feature on the new Learning Guarantee project linking the schools in the Mornington Peninsula, to break the cycle of disadvantage. 

Read the report here