Vision
Strong communities alive with opportunity, connection and inclusion.
Purpose
To create lasting social change by building strong communities and forging fair systems.
Themes
Five interconnected themes – underpinned by Ecosystem
Priorities where we seek to create lasting impact.
Gender
Across the whole Foundation, Gender is at the heart of our decision making and processes. We aim to advance gender equity by addressing systemic inequality, ending violence against women, supporting their economic empowerment and leadership, and promoting respectful relationships and positive masculinity.
First Nations
Support initiatives led by First Nations communities that promote self-determination and cultural understanding. Foster systems change and advance health equity, focusing on rheumatic heart disease. Uphold the Five R’s of philanthropy – respect, relationships, responsibility, reciprocity, and redistribution – in collaboration with allies.
Youth
Empower young people by improving the opportunity, quality and equity in education and addressing digital addictions.
LGBTIQ+
Champion the inclusion, rights, and wellbeing of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
Community
Support community-led initiatives across a breadth of causes that strengthen dignity, stability and wellbeing in our places — Canberra and the surrounding region, Sydney, NSW South Coast and select regional NSW communities.
Ecosystem
Enable and grow social change leaders — with a focus on the flagship Snow Entrepreneurs program — while advancing philanthropy and accelerating impact investing to drive innovation, effectiveness and sustainability across the for-purpose ecosystem.
Pillars
Our Strategic Pillars guide the way we work in partnership and generosity.
Our Place
Connect with and generously support a breadth of causes and partners, where we live and work — Canberra and the surrounding region, Sydney, NSW South Coast and select regional NSW communities.
Our Country
Drives social justice and systems change by backing bold leaders and innovative solutions to neglected national challenges.
Our Sector
Strengthens the for-purpose ecosystem by building the capacity of changemakers, accelerating impact investing and advancing philanthropy.
Our Family
Strengthens our family’s culture of giving across generations and enables thoughtful philanthropy inspired by values and passions.
Approach
Snow Foundation is defined by our unique approach
Entrepreneurial
We take bold but considered risks with a long-term view, backing ambitious leaders, innovation, and movements.
Our funding is flexible and responsive, playing a catalytic role. We work across the capital spectrum: from grants to blended finance, venture philanthropy and impact investments.
We actively learn, adapt, and help scale what works, while planning for sustainable transitions and exits.
Holistic
We go beyond funding, adding value through our voice, convening, networks, advocacy and research.
We consider the whole landscape, from national systems to local communities, centring lived experience.
Our work addresses gaps and spans multiple levels, so impact is both deep and broad.
Trust-based
Relationships are at the heart of everything we do.
We listen deeply and partner with communities, governments, and organisations with respect and transparency.
We collaborate through co-funding, shared advocacy and joint research — sharing knowledge, power and joining or leading coalitions to advance social change.
Values
Our Values guide how we show up and how we work
Humility
We recognise the expertise of our partners
Social justice
We embrace equity, inclusivity and fairness
Collaboration
We work with others respectfully and recognise the power of many
Empathy
We seek to listen and understand
Transparency
We are open and accountable — no surprises
Excellence
“We do the work and do a proper job.” — Terry Snow AM (Co-founder)
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