What we do
As one of the world’s leading paediatric hospitals, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) has been providing outstanding care for Victoria’s children for over 140 years. Life-changing and life-saving advances in clinical care are made here, positively affecting the lives of children and families in Victoria, nationwide and internationally.
Through the support of the community, the RCH can remain at the forefront of specialist paediatric care, now and into the future.
The fundraising arm of The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation was formed in the eighties, has the vital role of raising, managing and distributing donated funds to The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. The hospital is recognised as one of the best children’s hospitals in the world. 142 years of community support have contributed to this, and on a daily basis, donated funds help maintain this exceptional standard of care.
The Foundation is both a charity in its own right, and also the conduit for which all funds that are donated to the hospital come through – including all funds donated through the Good Friday Appeal. We are a team of around 20 people, led by Sue Hunt, and our office is at the hospital.
Thousands of people donate directly to the Foundation each year in a myriad of ways. They support the Foundation in all the ways that the community can support most charities. Read more about getting involved here.
In addition to the wonderful generosity from the general public, corporations, estates, trusts and foundations, funds are raised through the Good Friday Appeal and a large network of Auxiliary groups.
The Good Friday Appeal is the hospital's largest single donor, contributing over $242 million since 1931 through the dedication of organisers, volunteers and incredible support from thousands of donors.
The Foundation is also very grateful for the tremendous efforts of our Auxiliaries. These community volunteers are tireless in raising much-needed funds through fundraising events and merchandise sales.
In 2011/2012 over $38 million was donated to the Foundation by the generous people of Victoria.
FUNDING excellence ONLY
All funds donated to the Foundation preserved for the purpose of medical excellence. The projects, initiatives and activities funded by donated money creates outcomes that are above and beyond the hospital's normal day-to-day activities. The Foundation does not fund items or projects that are considered standard operating costs; those that the state government would normally fund in a public hospital like the RCH. Read more about what we fund.
Supporting a collaborative campus
The Foundation supports The Royal Children’s Hospital, and also its campus partners, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics. Read more about supporting the whole campus here.
donated funds DIRECTLY BENEFIT CHILDREN
The Foundation receives no government funding and is entirely dependent on the generosity of the community through donations, community funding and corporate partnerships. The Foundation is a lean organisation, running a low-cost administration model.
Supporters and donors can be assured that their donation goes directly towards funding projects and initiatives that would otherwise not be possible, and ensure the highest standards of paediatric health care.
