Minderoo to cut up to 100 jobs

Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation is understood to be cutting up to 100 roles from the philanthropic entity following an “organisational redesign”.

The $10 billion charitable foundation released an update to its 2030 strategy, first detailed in June last year. The new changes are expected to impact about 100 positions, or about one-third of the organisation's headcount.

Of the roles tipped to be affected, a number are understood to no longer be required while some positions are expected to be modified. Some staff are expected to be redeployed into family companies.

Prior to Minderoo chief executive John Hartman's appointment, the organisation's headcount had ballooned to more than 350 staff, with several international offices. Those international offices are also expected to be consolidated. 

It’s understood Minderoo is aiming to increase the proportion of its resources directed to beneficiaries from around 50-60 per cent, over past two years, to about 70-80 per cent.

Last financial year, the charitable foundation increased its total spending by 65 per cent to $224.9 million, up from $136.1 million in FY22. That spend reinforced its status as one of Australia’s most active philanthropic funds.

But the annual report also disclosed a big increase in Minderoo’s staffing expense. It spent $31 million to cover the cost of staff working on its projects and partnerships, and a further $18 million on “indirect corporate wages and salaries”.

Mr Hartman said today's organisation redesign was a continuation of the phased rollout of its 2030 Strategy.

“We have a responsibility to meet the ambition and generosity of our Founders and match it with meaningful change in Australia, the Asia Pacific region and around the world," he said.

“Under my leadership, Minderoo Foundation is undergoing a transformation to ensure we create maximum and lasting impact for our beneficiaries, with a higher portion of our corpus directed towards impact.

“I am committed to increasing Minderoo Foundation’s emphasis on working with our partners – getting more resources out to organisations so they can accelerate the positive difference they make in people’s lives.

“Andrew and Nicola were the first Australians to sign the Giving Pledge in 2013, committing to give away most of their wealth over their lifetimes.

“When they signed the Giving Pledge, the Forrests did not envisage passive giving. Their ambition is to drive impact and realise our vision for a society that values all people and natural ecosystems.”

Under the new changes, Minderoo's Oceans Focus Area will be renamed Natural Ecosystems, with a focus on programs dedicated to oceans and climate change.

The organisation is also making tweaks to the focus of its plastics and communities areas.