Philanthropy

The Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation was formed to represent the philanthropic values of Jack and Robert Smorgon and their families.

“Our vision is for the Family to contribute and enjoy philanthropy through involvement, education and passion. The Foundation was not established purely to provide financial contribution to worthy causes, but as a vehicle to keep the family members of all ages, involved and to enjoy the interaction of the various generations towards a common goal”
Jack & Robert Smorgon.

The Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation, provides financial support to hundreds of charitable organisations and endeavours to bring an elevated level of energy and contribution from the thirty members of the family through Board representation, fundraising, networking and hands on volunteering to community causes.

The Foundation does not formally receive application for grants, but prefers to identify under resourced areas of the community and work in partnership with Government and other foundations and trusts to provide solutions.

“The focus to our philanthropy has always been to support community issues, through being creative, innovative and bestow the strength of our families’ passion behind it”.
Andrew Blode – family member and CEO of the Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation.

In recent times the Foundation has partnered the Victorian Government with the Victoria Prize Scientific innovation award and the Premiers Award for Health & Medical Research, by providing financial assistance to the institutions associated with the awards to further develop and continue their exceptional research. In addition the Foundation established the Victorian Children Communities Awards with the Victorian Government to recognise the excellent work provided by the community sector.

Together with other trusts and foundations the Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation established the Australian Council for Children and Youth Organisations “ACCYO”, whose aim is to nationally “Safeguard Children from Child Abuse”. Today over 200 organisations providing services to over 100,000 children and young people around Australia are being trained in strengthening their children policies and procedures to prevent the risk of children becoming abused.

The Foundation has been specifically designed to be flexible which allows the family to be creative and pilot ideas in response to community issues. The “Off your Back” project in partnership with the Salvation Army, private schools and corporates has been a great success collecting over 30,000 coats throughout Victoria and then distributed directly to Melbourne’s homeless in the winter months.

The Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation is one of the major financial contributors to community causes both within Australia and overseas, and the added element of family involvement all facilitate to make a difference...