Message from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor

Thank you for being a valued member of our philanthropic community at The Australian National University (ANU). Your giving creates real impact, and changes lives and communities in Australia and beyond for the better.

We are both inspired by the many ways that alumni, donors and volunteers engaged with ANU throughout 2023. This has included contributing to a wide range of causes, attending on-campus events, utilising ANU Connect to share career insights, donating through workplace giving, and confirming bequests. These make an extraordinary difference.

Supporting students was at the forefront of your efforts. Many first-time donors gave to the Student Urgent Relief Fund (SURF) during the $23 for 2023 appeal to provide ANU students with immediate relief when faced with unexpected financial hardship. Through the generosity of donors, there were individuals – including Trisha Toangwera Aruhuri, featured in the SURF story in this report – who were able to continue their education at ANU despite daunting challenges.

Contributions both large and small to the Kambri Scholars Program helped the University continue its commitment to Indigenous education. Earlier this year, Wesfarmers Limited partnered with ANU to provide transformative and unrivalled educational opportunities for Indigenous Australians, with a $5 million commitment to the Program – the largest single contribution to a scholarship for Indigenous students in the history of the University. It will be matched by ANU, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students ongoing access to a world-class university education for decades to come.

The 2023 ANU Report to Donors celebrates the impact of your kindness, generosity and vision, through whichever way you have chosen to give. At a time when support for students, researchers and staff was especially critical, your ongoing philanthropy created meaningful change.

We look forward to sharing many more examples of the power of philanthropy at ANU in the years to come. Thank you once again for your support.