Finance and Investments
Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Annual Report 2021
Mt Barney Lodge
The Numbers for 2026
$245.3m
total corpus
$11.4m
approved in FY25
$236.0m
distributed since inception
The Board extend their appreciation to KPMG who provide their audit services to VFFF and Vincent Fairfax Ethical Leadership Foundation (VFELF) on an honorary basis.
Using the Yale Distribution Model, Directors set a granting target of $12.3m for VFFF in 2026/27.
| VFFF | VFELF | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 $m | 2023/24 $m | 2024/25 $m | 2023/24 $m | |
| Corpus | 245.3 | 228.0 | 9.4 | 8.09 |
| Grants approved | 11.4 | 10.0 | 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Cumulative grants | 236.0 | 224.6 | 10.0 | 9.3 |
VFFF Corpus and Grants
*Note: Historical grants represent total cash distributions in that year. From FY20 onwards the amount represents new grants approved in that year.
Investment Strategy
The Corpus of VFFF and VFELF is invested in a diversified portfolio overseen by Cambooya Services Pty Limited assisted by the Cambooya Investment Committee.
VFFF has restructured its investment portfolio into two components. The Granting and Operations component is invested in liquid investments to meet granting and operating expenses and targets a return of 6.5% plus franking credit refunds. The Growth component is invested in higher returning illiquid investments and targets a 12% return. Both components met their targets over the seven year period to 30 June 2026.
VFFF's goal is to have 5% of Corpus invested in impact investments. These are defined as investments that generate measurable social impact alongside financial returns and are expected to yield a below-market level of return for the risk taken. These investments are viewed as an extension of the philanthropic work of VFFF.
Impact Investments committed at 30 June 2026 are:
| Name | Amount Invested/ Committed $m | Inception | Asset Class | Social and Financial Returns to Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightlight – Urban Villager | 1.5 | October 2024 | Property | Investment in the development of townhouses targeting frontline workers and young families in the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast growth corridor under a shared equity program. |
| HOPE Housing Investment Trust | 1.5 | August 2023 | Property | 4.4% p.a. Investment in a diversified portfolio of residential property investments from shared equity contributions in homes purchased by essential workers. |
| Family Place Renovations | 2.2 | June 2023 | Property | Renovations to the Family Place |
| White Box Enterprises – Bangalow | 2.0 | July 2021 | Credit | 3.5% p.a. Funding for the purchase of a property to provide long-term premises to the Lighthouse Laundry business. |
| Family Place | 0.5 | May 2021 | Property | 3.2% p.a. Purchase of a property to provide long-term premises to the The Family Place, a community centre supporting families in Logan, Queensland |
| Loan to the Crusader Union of Australia | 3.0 | September 2019 | Credit | 4.4% p.a. Loan to help fund the development of the Crusader's campsite facilities in Lake Macquarie, NSW. CRU Camps is the largest provider of Christian holiday camps in NSW, welcoming over 4000 campers each year to over 75 camps |
| Yume Group Holdings Pty Ltd | 0.8 | November 2016 | Private Equity | This is an early-stage investment in a food technology platform. Yume has produced social returns including 10.1m kilograms of food redistributed to businesses and charities, 38.7m kilograms of Co2-equivelant embedded in food redistributed and 2.2bn litres of embedded water in the food redistributed. |
Social Impact Investment Highlight
The Family Place
The Family Place is a much-loved community hub operated by The Salvation Army supporting children and families in Logan, Queensland. The facility offers a range of free groups and programs, as well as a connection point to allied health services if required.
Their location in Woodridge allows them to run weekly Playgroups, Parenting Programs, School Holiday programs, and provide further support and guidance to parents.
VFFF acquired the property in 2021, and it soon became clear that there was an opportunity to undertake a major upgrade to the facility. Planning for these works commenced in late 2023 and in April of 2026, the completion of these works was celebrated at a large community event.
A $500,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Thriving Suburbs grant program supplemented the $2.2 million invested by VFFF for the redevelopment, enabling the project to reach its full potential.
The newly renovated space is now a warm, inviting, purpose-built facility designed for play, both indoors and outdoors, that fosters community connection for children and their caregivers. With more room for families to gather, connect and access support in a welcoming environment, the facility is now well placed to serve the community for many years to come.
