We’re passionate about making an impact

About Us

A legacy of generosity

The Friends of the Mater is a compassionate community that supports the Mater Hospital Sydney in delivering exceptional healthcare. Founded in 1999, we are a not-for-profit organisation, ensuring your generosity directly benefits those who need it most. Together we have raised over $77 million, significantly enhancing patient services and outcomes.

Our vision and mission

We are driven by a vision to support the Mater Hospital Sydney in delivering exceptional healthcare that positively impacts the lives of all Mater patients and their families.

We are the principal fundraising arm for the hospital, providing funding to support the Mater’s compassionate approach to healthcare and to contribute to the provision of the highest standard of patient care, nurse education, and medical research.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we operate solely to fulfill our charitable purpose, which benefits patients and the hospital’s work. Established in 1999, our Foundation embodies the spirit of generosity and compassion - ensuring the Mater’s legacy of care and innovation continues to flourish.

The Mater Hospital

We proudly support the Mater Hospital Sydney, a cornerstone of exceptional healthcare in the heart of Sydney. We work with the Mater's executive team to ensure that funds are allocated to areas and projects that will have maximum impact on the delivery of high quality, innovative patient care.

As part of St Vincent's Health Australia, one of Australia's leading Catholic not-for-profit healthcare providers, the Mater embodies a mission of service and excellence, offering a comprehensive range of services.

Ear, Nose &
Throat Surgery

Neurosurgery, Urology & More

Cancer Care & Surgery

Maternity & Obstetrics

Heart, Lung & Vascular Medicine

Orthopaedics, Bone & Sports Injuries

Facilities on the Mater Campus include:

The Mater Clinic
The Patricia Ritchie Centre
The Kay Van Norton Centre for Wellbeing

For a more in-depth exploration of the Mater Hospital Sydney's services and expertise, please visit their official website: https://www.svph.org.au/hospitals/mater

Building a tradition in philanthropy

Our first grant to the Mater of $20,000 was made in June 2001. Over the following 25 years, the Foundation has continued to grow and become a crucial part of the Mater Hospital, a testament to the community’s trust and belief in our mission. Thanks to our generous donors, we have now facilitated gifts in excess of $77 million, including a $40 million donation to establish the Poche Centre - home of Melanoma Institute Australia and the 2024 Australians of the year!

Our impact

Your contributions help to fund new facilities around the campus so patients can receive the highest standard of care in state-of-the-art surroundings – positively impacting countless lives. You can also support our annual grant program, which plays an important part in improving patient care and outcomes at the hospital by providing funding for ground-breaking research, further nurse education, the purchase of latest medical equipment and salary support for Mater Cancer Services clinicians.

Meet our Board & Team

Friends of the Mater Limited serves as the Trustee of the Foundation. It has an independent, volunteer board of directors, dedicated to ensuring that the Foundation fulfils our commitments to our donors. They give generously of their time and expertise, to ensure that the strategic direction of the Foundation is achieved, allowing us to make a positive impact at the Mater hospital, Sydney.