1.    About Us
In 1995, the Australian Medical Association (NSW) established the AMA (NSW) Charitable Foundation to harness the goodwill and charitable spirit of the medical profession to provide funding for projects that promote health and well-being.

It has a commitment to addressing the physical, social and emotional needs of all Australians, particularly those disadvantaged in our society.

The foundation also seeks to develop partnerships with government, business and community groups to work together and fund projects where a real and immediate difference can be made to people in need.

Read our latest newsletter

2.  Role of the Advisory Board
The foundation is managed by a trustee-appointed Advisory Board which meets three to four times a year.  The board comprises members of the medical and legal professions and has representation from parliament, AMA (NSW) and the media. The role of the Advisory Board is to:
• monitor the proper and efficient performance of the AMA Charitable Foundation
• make recommendations to the trustee for the disbursement of funds held by the foundation
• make representation on behalf of the AMA Charitable Foundation, to the medical profession, corporations and the wider community in order to obtain funding support.

Advisory Board members of the AMA (NSW) Charitable Foundation
A/Professor John Gullotta, Chairman & General Practitioner
Mr Scott Chapman, Senior Partner, TressCox Lawyers
Ms Fiona Davies, CEO, AMA (NSW)
Dr Elizabeth Feeney, Anaesthetist & Honorary Treasurer AMA (NSW)
Mr Ron Heinrich, Senior Partner, TressCox Lawyers
Dr Brian Morton, General Practitioner & President AMA (NSW)
Dr Michael Steiner, Ophthalmologist & Vice-President AMA (NSW)
Mr David Taylor, Consultant, TressCox Lawyers
Ms Sophie Scott, ABC TV Reporter

The Patron is Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC, Governor of New South Wales

3. Fundraising Events
The AMA Charitable Foundation is a funding body.  Its focus is on the collection and disbursement of funds for projects which meet its stated objectives and, where there is a specific need, to initiate projects in partnership with other organisations.

Our fundraising relies on
• an annual Black Tie Dinner - Click here for photos
• an annual Charity Golf Classic
• direct mail appeals twice a year
• contributions from Visiting Medical Officers of 0.25% of their VMO income
• other special events as held from time to time

4. Previous Grants
Since being established, the Foundation has given over $900,000 to many organisations:
• The Fred Hollows Foundation ($60,000) – for a diode laser unit to treat eye disease in Aboriginal communities;
• Community Drug Education Project ($30,000);
• School Drug Education programs ($204,000) – CD-rom development;
• The Multiple Sclerosis Society of NSW ($39,750) – for special shower commodes, specialised mobile showering trolleys, and reconditioned wheelchairs;
• Bear Cottage ($30,000) – for equipment for the new children’s hospice;
• House with No Steps ($9,000) – for sensory room and exercise equipment;
• Muscular Dystrophy Assoc ($20,000) - for electric wheelchairs;
• Royal Flying Doctor Service ($15,000) – for five intravenous pump sets for use in rural areas, and $28,480 for purchase of ventilator
• The Exodus Foundation ($60,000) – for purchase of 22-seater bus for disadvantaged students
• Careflight ($65,000) – for  three mobile intensive care stretcher bridges
• Red Cross ($10,000) – for Asian Quake and Tsunami disaster
• Vision Australia ($35,000) – for purchase of Braille typewriters and reading materials
• Lifeline NSW ($50,000) – for development of suicide intervention/prevention programs
• Royal Hospital for Women ($20,000) - for the establishment of a database on osteoporosis prevalence in Aboriginal communities
• Aussie Helpers ($75,000) for purchase of a truck to assist people struggling in the bush
• Wheelchair Sports NSW ($20,000) for 5 wheelchairs for use in their sports rehabilitation program
• Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre ($120,000) – for a synergy machine and purchase of cochlear implants for three disadvantage persons who are hearing impaired
• Bobby Goldsmith Foundation ($12,000) – for purchase of 3 mobility scooters

5.  Application for Funding
The trustee applies the whole or part of the foundation’s net income to or for the benefit of eligible charities.
An eligible charity is a benevolent public institution or a fund authority or institution which is charitable at law, and is referred to in any of the items in the tables in sections 78(4) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.
Eligible charities which desire to receive funding from the foundation should complete this application form and address it to The Secretary, AMA (NSW) Charitable Foundation.

Application for funding

6. Contact
AMA (NSW) Charitable Foundation
PO Box 121, St Leonards  NSW  1590
Phone:  (02) 9439 8822
Fax:  (02) 9438 3760
Email: charitable@amansw.com.au