Time Will Tell: Showcasing Stories of Good Philanthropy launched by five philanthropic trusts and foundations

Time Will Tell: Showcasing Stories of Good Philanthropy is a collection of 11 inspiring case studies of projects and organisations supported by five philanthropic organisations, the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Reichstein Foundation, Melbourne Community Foundation, Portland House Foundation and The Myer Foundation. Spanning almost 25 years, from 1983 to 2007, the projects have been selected as exemplifying some elements of what the foundations collectively consider to be good philanthropy.

The projects featured represent examples of philanthropic recognition and support for effective leadership and of individuals with vision. They are innovative. In many cases they involved collaborations and partnerships. Some arelarge scale while others are examples of very small investments resulting in big outcomes. All reflect listening to communities and responding to those communities with respect.

And, in a time of increasing desire for quick results, they remind us that sometimes the outcomes of an activity supported by philanthropy are unknown and unknowable at the time the support is given.

Time Will Tell was launched at The Myer Foundation on 14 December 2009, in front of an audience of over 70 representatives and friends of the foundations and of the organisations and projects featured. In his address to launch the booklet, Darvell Hutchison, Chair of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust emphasised that the success of the featured projects is not due solely to the support of the five philanthropic trusts and foundations, but that each one involves a far larger number of other generous philanthropic organisations and individuals without whose support these projects would not have been possible.

He said:

"If we wish to grow philanthropic investment in Australia we need to share our stories and demonstrate the rich diversity and the inherent possibilities of what good philanthropy can ultimately achieve

“We hope that you place this booklet on your coffee tables, talk about some of these stories, even add your own stories and help grow the family of philanthropy now and into the future.”

The projects and organisations featured in Time Will Tell: Showcasing Stories of Good Philanthropy are:

• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
• Australians for Affordable Housing
• Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership
• Gippsland Asbestos Related Disease Support Group
• Leadership Plus
• Mildura Aboriginal Corporation
• The Nanjing Project
• The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
• Victoria Naturally Alliance
• Whitelion
• Youth Mentoring Coordination Project.