Who we are

Foundation SA is an exciting locally based giving opportunity for South Australia. It gives donors the ability to make a tax deductible donation today that will provide support to the South Australian community for years to come.

Available to individuals, families, businesses, government and non-profits, giving through Foundation SA makes giving easy — we take care of compliance and reporting and ensure your funds are responsibly invested while you choose exactly which causes you support.

Foundation SA ultimately exists to increase giving and see a connected, resilient and sustainable South Australia where everyone belongs. We aim to achieve this by inspiring generosity at a local level, building collaborative and connected networks, strengthening the local non-profit sector and creating a permanent endowment to support the current and future needs of our community.

Download a copy of our 2026-2031 Strategy.

To learn more about our progress, view our 2025 Year in Review.

Our origin story

Foundation SA was established in May 2021 with the mission to grow giving and make a positive impact across diverse South Australian communities.

Founded by the Wyatt Trust, Foundation SA was created to bridge a gap in the state’s philanthropic sector; to bring like-minded everyday people together under the common purpose to support communities and causes close to their heart. And to do this in a way that is enjoyable, accessible and beneficial for individuals, families, businesses and non-profits.

It had become clear that South Australia needed a locally based organisation that offered a simple, donor-advised structured giving option. Stacey Thomas, CEO of The Wyatt Trust and founding CEO of Foundation SA saw this need and in keeping with the legacy of Dr William Wyatt, resolved to establish a new community foundation to benefit the state.

Wyatt has supported South Australians since 1886 and The Wyatt Governors could see that Foundation SA was an opportunity to work collaboratively with others who share similar values, as well as extending support for South Australians beyond the remit of Wyatt’s work.

Our vision and mission

As a young and energetic community foundation, Foundation SA has an ambitious growth strategy. This plan on a page outlines our mission, vision and high-level strategy.

The 5 key pillars detail how we intend to achieve our vision of a connected, resilient, sustainable South Australia where everyone belongs. These 5 key activities guide our work and provide focus for our small team to ensure maximum impact.

We have made a commitment to focusing on: Inspiring generosity through our accessible sub-fund model. Elevating awareness of and promoting the grass-roots community groups and organisations supporting their communities across the State. Building a perpetual pool of funds that is responsibly invested and growing. Collaborating with the regional South Australian community foundations and connecting people and resources to create community-led opportunities.

Whether you’re setting up a donor advised fund or making a donation to Foundation SA for us to grant out, you can rest assured your money will be making an impact in the communities that need it most.

Sophie Doyle

Chief Executive Officer

Accessible, easy and enjoyable

It is important to us that giving through Foundation SA is accessible, easy and enjoyable. And that the experience is fulfilling and meaningful with the potential to create a lasting legacy. It’s important to us because we have heard and understand that it is also important to you.

From making a donation to establishing a fund, we offer a variety of ways to give — all guided by philanthropic experts and executed with the due diligence you’d expect for peace of mind that your gift and tax benefit is making the maximum impact.

Our aim at Foundation SA is to

Inspire generosity and inclusivity

across South Australia, providing accessible opportunities to give and to bring friends, family and colleagues on the journey with you in a meaningful and united way.

Elevate awareness

of grass roots community and non-profit organisations and the aspirations they are hoping to achieve for their communities.

Build a perpetual corpus

to ensure the long term sustainability of Foundation SA and the impact it has on communities across Australia.

Foster sector collaboration

to make intentional change, we are committed to actively working with other community foundations and community organisations to grow our sector.

Connect

communities and resources to fully leverage the power of giving. We bring together human resources, financial resources, physical resources and environmental resources to drive meaningful and sustainable change for the benefit of South Australians.

Start giving with us

Make Foundation SA your choice

Giving should be fun, easy and accessible. It should be something you can do with confidence, knowing your decisions are rooted in purpose and backed by thorough due diligence.

If you have a cause you want to support but you’re not sure how to approach it, Foundation SA can guide you through every step. Leverage our expert advice, evidence-based research and rigorous due diligence to be certain your gift will make a difference.

Start giving with us

Our implementation partners

Partnerships are at the core of effective philanthropy, bringing a variety of resources, expertise and networks together to amplify impact.

By collaborating with partners, whether they be organisations, businesses or individuals, we can leverage the sharing of knowledge and resources, enabling our philanthropic efforts to achieve more than any one person could achieve alone.

Foundation SA is backed by two implementation partners:

The Wyatt Trust

The Wyatt Trust has generously provided the initial investment capital and funding for the start-up operational costs of Foundation SA, as well as the rigour, governance and experience of the staff and Board.

Australian Communities Foundation

Australian Communities Foundation has more than 25 years’ experience catalysing positive social and environmental change across Australia, with more than 500 sub-funds and $110 million in funds under management. As implementation partner and Trustee, Australian Communities Foundation has supported Foundation SA to develop best practice investment and grant making procedures and policies.

Our team

Board members

Jennifer Duncan

Board Chair

Jennifer Duncan is in the business of making good things better. After spending a decade in the university sector, she decided to follow her purpose-driven calling and went on to hold executive roles at some of South Australia’s most recognisable not-for-profits and advocacy organisations. She is now the Founder and Principal of a purpose-first consultancy that focuses on positive social change.

A passionate community advocate, Jennifer was drawn to the community-led nature of Foundation SA’s work its unique role as connector, convener and educator.

“It’s extraordinarily important for people to have agency in the things that affect their lives. Community-led philanthropy helps give choice and control back to the people in those communities which is critical for social wellbeing, social cohesion and social capital.”

Michael Dawson

Director

An experienced leader in the for-purpose sector, Michael Dawson worked across not-for-profits and values-driven social enterprises for 20 years. His significant contribution to the community sector was recognised with Honorary Life Membership of SACOSS and the Governor’s Leadership Foundation.

Michael was also a Psychologist and management consultant in Australia and Hong Kong and has served on many boards, including most recently Workers Educational Association, Community Centres SA and Get Home Safe Foundation.

“I’m passionate about the not-for-profit and community sector and I love that Foundation SA is working to enhance community participation, partnering and connections to make our communities stronger and facilitate community development from within. It’s a vibrant and active organisation that will bring more independent philanthropic funding into community.”

Lisa Tarca

Director

After a 25-year career in information technology working for companies including Accenture and Verizon in the US, Lisa Tarca turned her focus to the not-for-profit sector, serving as Chief Operating Officer for Human Rights First (US), The Hunger Project Australia, and as a consultant with Social Ventures Australia.

Lisa chairs the Adelaide-based Milner Road Foundation (MRF) which she co-founded with her late husband, Silvio Tarca, in 2016 to fund educational opportunities for young people facing systemic barriers. She is also a member of Impact 100 and a founding Trustee of HumanKind Studios Ripple Effect, both of which support projects that build and shape communities at a local scale.

“I am a big believer in the power of philanthropy to affect positive change and was drawn to Foundation SA’s mission of making philanthropy accessible so that people of all ages and income levels can participate and feel the joy of giving back and helping others.”

Andrew Plastow

Director

Awarded the 2026 South Australian Citizen of the Year, Kamilaroi man Andrew Plastow is an experienced educator and visionary leader. Founder and Head of Ngutu College, a school that uses a learning model that is equitable, culturally informed and child-centred.

Andrew is widely respected for his research-informed, arts-rich approach to holistic education and has presented his work across Australia and internationally. Through his work at Ngutu College Andrew is passionate about creating opportunities for children to express themselves in diverse ways, advocate for themselves and to pursue their passions.

“I am very excited to join the Board of Foundation SA to extend my experience in building stronger community connections and strengthening collective contribution towards sustainable local change.”

Stacey Thomas

Director

Stacey Thomas has two decades of experience creating positive change through philanthropy. She is currently CEO of The Wyatt Trust, Chair of Community Foundations Australia, serves on the boards of Philanthropy Australia and Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation and is part of the leadership circle at collective giving group, SA Women for Women. Stacey was also the founding CEO of Foundation SA.

A staunch advocate for inclusion and self-determination, Stacey believes strengths-based approaches that are informed by community voices are powerful levers for change.

“Community matters. When people have a connection with others that creates belonging, trust and hope it builds an environment where good things can flow. This can be strength, resilience, health or wellbeing. For me, philanthropy in all its forms – whether that’s giving resources, time, networks or skills – is a practical expression of community members uniting.”

Staff members

Sophie Doyle

Chief Executive Officer

Community and positive impact have been central to Sophie Doyle’s career. Working at one of the country’s biggest law firms, Sophie left a lasting legacy by establishing a SA/NT Foundation, workplace giving and staff volunteering programs. During her time at Philanthropy Australia, she developed strong networks within the non-profit and philanthropic sectors, helping to grow giving in South Australia. Sophie is a co-founder of MumKind, a SA-based charity that supports agencies working with families experiencing family violence and a Director of Community Centres SA.

Having been part of Foundation SA since its inception, Sophie is excited to see the donor community and the foundation’s impact continue to grow.

“Our role at Foundation SA is to unlock and amplify local generosity to support community-led change. Community voices are so important because no one knows what’s needed in our communities more than the people who are part of them.”

Chelsea Gillies

Grants & Engagement Coordinator

Chelsea Gillies’ role as Foundation SA’s Grants & Engagement Coordinator brings together two important facets of her life. The first is her desire to create positive social impact, and the second is her love for the place she calls home. After spending a decade in Sydney working with the Sydney Festival, City of Sydney and the Women in Focus initiative at CommBank, Chelsea returned to Adelaide with her young family.

Working with Foundation SA fund holders to help maximise the impact of their generosity, Chelsea has seen the power of giving firsthand and the rewards it brings both donors and communities.

“No matter which causes are closest to our donor’s hearts, when people are in a position to help others and they generously support projects and groups within our local communities, they’re investing in those communities and forging connection and in many cases creating positive change that will last beyond their lifetime.”

Sarah Aylett

Foundation Support Officer

Sarah Aylett is a passionate advocate for community. Having spent time working as a mentor and with volunteer-run organisations and local councils, she is committed to bringing forward voices that are least often heard and uplifting community efforts.

Sarah believes community philanthropy plays a unique role in supporting and empowering community-led change by reducing barriers and widening the opportunities for participation.

“Community foundations help fill many gaps in our society and Foundation SA’s principles really appealed to me. Being part of a team that operates from a place of genuine care and regard for all people, makes it a great place to work.”

Natasha Hawkins

Project Manager – Donor Systems

After establishing a career in social work, Natasha Hawkins’ specialist skills saw her transition from case management into project management with a focus on IT implementation. Her expertise in helping organisations navigate change and grow by using different business systems has culminated in her PhD research which investigates the implementation of AI and the change management practices that are being put in place to accommodate it.

A PMI certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Natasha is spending two days a week helping Foundation SA implement its own independent donor system to make the giving experience for fund holders as efficient and enjoyable as possible.

“Philanthropy can sometimes seem very top-down and I love that community foundations centre community voices and make giving so accessible. There are so many opportunities when you give through a local organisation like Foundation SA to support grassroots change and it’s wonderful to be able to see the impacts of that change in your own neighbourhood.”

Why start a fund with Foundation SA?

Tax deductible

All donations to your fund are tax deductible and anyone can contribute to your fund.

Responsibly invested

Funds are responsibly invested for strong financial returns, plus positive social and environmental impact. Financial returns are apportioned to your sub-fund for future granting.

Compliance & reporting

Foundation SA takes care of all compliance requirements, due diligence, administration and reporting. Our work complies with Public Ancillary Fund Guidelines and is overseen by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Choose who you support

Each donor advises where their donations go. They can choose causes close to their heart, small grass-roots charities, large international non-profits or scholarships for individuals.

Want to donate and give back to the South Australian community?

Start giving today

Need help deciding who to support?

If you have a cause area that is close to your heart but are unsure of the organisations working in that area, Foundation SA can guide you with evidence-based research backed by rigorous due diligence that gives you confidence that your gift will make a difference.

Get in touch

Australian Communities Foundation (ACF) is Foundation SA’s implementation partner and Trustee of funds under management.

Main Fund (tax deductible) ABN 57 967 620 066
Extension Fund (non-tax deductible) ABN 57 485 460 977
Scholarship Fund (tax deductible) ABN 82 218 603 765.

We pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the Adelaide region on which our office stands, the Kaurna people. We acknowledge all First Nations peoples and their deep connection to the land. The dispossession and treatment that has occurred, still impacts on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. We walk hand-in-hand with all First Nations peoples on the path to reconciliation.

Who we are

Our origin story

Our vision and mission

Accessible, easy and enjoyable