TNC Photo - Mark Godfrey

FUNDING

The Foundation will itself invest around $40 million in conservation and conservation-related projects over the next decade (2008 - 2018). In doing so we will be mindful of the 15 areas nominated under the Australian Government's biodiversity "hotspots" program.

Some funds will be allocated to further raise public and corporate awareness of Australia's conservation challenges, with the bold objective of generating new funds in support of conservation of $50 million/year.

This ambitious target will be met through increased foundation grants, individual donations and land bequests to the Conservation NGOs; further corporate support; matching Government grants; and the tapping of allocated but unspent Government funds.

To support our funding goals we will initiate a communications plan aimed at major corporations, politicians and the public.

If this funding target is achieved it will bring Australia's commitment to conservation more in line with the level of conservation funding in the USA.

The program will also aim to sharpen Government commitment and legislation in this area.

In doing so we will annually distribute an average 14 per cent of the Foundation's total endowment between 2009 and 2018.

"I believe that by making a major investment in
nature conservation I do have a chance of
contributing to changing the world for the better
for my grandchildren"

- David Thomas, co-founder with Barbara Thomas, The Thomas Foundation