Queensland Philanthropy Awards 2025 cap off another inspiring week of highlights

Seven exceptional individuals and organisations were honoured at the 2025 Queensland Philanthropy Awards – the centrepiece of a week-long celebration of giving and events, including Genevieve Timmon’s Savvy Giving Essentials.

Before more than 1,000 guests on 6 June, the annual awards, now in their 15th year, shone a spotlight on the state’s most inspiring change-makers. The awards recognise extraordinary contributions to communities, causes and charities through generosity, leadership and innovation.

Queensland Gives CEO Tara Castle said the winners reflect the best of Queensland’s generous spirit. “These awards celebrate the power of generosity to change lives. Whether through advocacy, funding or innovation, each winner is making a profound difference and inspiring others to follow,” Tara said.

The Queensland Philanthropy Awards are the centrepiece of Philanthropy Week, a Queensland-wide celebration of giving. Kim Harland, Philanthropy Australia’s Acting Executive Director of Membership and Engagement, attended every session presented by Queensland Gives, including the She Gives Research Roundtable, hosted by Perpetual. “It was a thoughtful and energising conversation about growing women’s giving to accelerate positive social change,” she said.

Other highlights included the Funding Network Equity and Inclusion live crowdfunding event, spotlighting three amazing social change programs dedicated to breaking down barriers. Tens of thousands of dollars were pledged on the night. More than 100 attendees heard a fascinating panel representing from private philanthropy and government.

A full house of enthusiastic and informed participants assembled for the Philanthropy Australia Savvy Giving Roadshow in Brisbane hosted by Genevieve Timmons. Genevieve covered some of the key elements from her book, ‘Savvy Giving: a roadmap for contemporary giving in Australia’.

“Discussion of the Philanthropy Ecosystem opened up questions around how we now recognise the breadth and depth of the philanthropic sector, which is no longer only focused on funders and wealth sources. The full range of people engaged with giving was identified, with many fingerprints on the work of transferring resources and grantmaking for a better world,” said Genevieve.

The session also touched on the history of money, and how it is only 4,000 years since we invented the concept of money. “As contemporary philanthropy continues to focus on best impact and enduring benefit, our creative approach to philanthropic giving can continue to shape the use of money linked to benefit for humanity,” said Genevieve.

The week also saw the launch of Queensland Environment Day, an exciting movement that is designed to inspire people to celebrate, protect and act for Queensland’s environment – starting in their own backyards.

The 2025 Queensland Philanthropy Award recipients are:

Queensland Community Philanthropist of the Year

James Frizelle (Sponsored by Anglo American)

Gold Coast business leader recognised for his transformational giving, advocacy at the highest political levels, and efforts to connect charities and funders to meet urgent needs.

Emerging Philanthropist of the Year

Dr Joel Dulhunty (Sponsored by Perpetual)

Healthcare champion and founder of Raise it for Redcliffe, Dr Dulhunty rode a penny farthing from Cairns to Brisbane to raise hospital funds; combining passion, creativity and impact to support patient care and research.

SME Philanthropist of the Year

Mental Health Academy (Sponsored by Deloitte)

A small Brisbane-based organisation making a big difference by delivering world-class mental health training that empowers frontline professionals across Australia.

Philanthropy Innovation Award

Ryan Ginard (Sponsored by QUT)

Through Fundraise for Australia, Ryan has trained over 100 early-career fundraisers from Queensland Community Foundation.

Corporate Philanthropist of the Year

BMD Group (Sponsored by QIC)

With a 45-year culture of giving, BMD supports medical research, lifesaving, mentoring and more – continuing the philanthropic legacy of founder Mick Power AM.

Environmental Philanthropist of the Year

Dr Michael Williams (Sponsored by Goodman Private Wealth)

From fighting biodiversity loss to backing legal campaigns for clean energy, Dr Williams has made a powerful mark on Queensland’s environment through advocacy and strategic giving.

Philanthropic Foundation of the Year

The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation (Sponsored by Queensland Public Trustee)

Since 1993, the Foundation has distributed over 140 million dollars, supporting medical research and aged care with a focus on high-impact, low-overhead giving.

The winners were selected from the 20 outstanding finalists announced last month by Queensland Gives by the Queensland Community Foundation, recognising exceptional contributions across the state’s philanthropic landscape.