Mary MacKillop Today is delighted to share that we have been announced as a Finalist for the FIA 2026 Best Transformational Gift Award for our project, EdTech for Early Learning, in Timor-Leste. This recognition highlights the power of philanthropy and innovation to create a lasting and meaningful impact for children, families, and communities.
Our submission, led by Francesca Cinelli and April de Haan, celebrated the extraordinary transformational gift from The Noel and Carmel O’Brien Family Foundation. We extend our heartfelt thanks for their incredible generosity, which has made this project possible.
The Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) Awards received over 170 entries from more than 100 organisations this year. We are honoured to be named alongside an impressive list of Finalists:
- Adelaide Festival Centre – Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Endowment
- Children’s Cancer Institute Australia – Levi’s Project: A future for kids with DIPG
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation – Uniting donor and discovery to drive a bold leap in cancer research
- Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation – Community-led transformation of paediatric palliative care – Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation’s $13m gift from Mounties Group
- The University of Newcastle – From Beanies to Breakthroughs: The Mark Hughes Foundation’s Transformational Gift to Brain Cancer Research
- The University of Notre Dame Australia – Pain, Purpose and Philanthropy: The Legacy of the Churack Family
This category is proudly sponsored by DGB Global.
The winner will be announced at the FIA Conference Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 26 February 2026 in Melbourne.
Regardless of the final outcome, being named a Finalist alongside such outstanding organisations is already a moment worth celebrating.
