WE HELP LGBTQIA+ YOUTH TO REALISE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
About Us
We are Australia's LGBTQIA+ education charity. Our flagship program provides educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTQIA+ Australians to realise their full potential.
The Foundation awards multi-year scholarships nationally to students aged between 18 and 26 for fulltime study at public higher education institutions in Australia to achieve educational or vocational qualifications in any profession, trade or the arts.
Scholarship applications open 1 July and close 31 August with scholarships awarded in December.
Every Pinnacle scholar is carefully matched with a mentor who will typically share the same academic and professional interests, gender identity and sexual orientation. The mentor acts as a role model. They will have walked the scholar’s path – and provide the encouragement, counsel and inspiration to support the scholar’s rounded development and successful completion of their studies.
Scholars and alumni also receive opportunities through the wider Pinnacle "family".
Additionally, we ally with The University of Sydney Business School to deliver the LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship: https://www.sydney.edu.au/business/study/executive-education/lgbtqia-executive-fellowship.html . The Fellowship, the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, develops senior and executive leadership capabilities within the LGBTQIA+ community.
We rely on the generosity of our individual donors, philanthropic and corporate partners, the passionate contributions of over 200 volunteers, and a fulltime-equivalent staff of less than five, to deliver our program across Australia.
Your support will help to transform the lives of young scholars. The gift of education is one that impacts every aspect of a young person’s life to substantially enhance their future, and the contribution they make to our community.
What We Do
Founded in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status that provides educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTQIA+ Australians to reclaim their path.
Scholarships Awarded
Dominic (he/they)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics)
The Mike Gordon Scholarship (2)
NSW
Charlotte
Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability & Bachelor of International Relations
BHP Scholarship
ACT
Michael (he/him)
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
Sir James McNeill Trust Scholarship
VIC
Dylan
Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indigenous Studies and Politics
The Bibbulmun Fund Scholarship
NSW
Sam (he/him)
Bachelor of Law(Hons)/ Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology).
The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG Scholarship
NSW
Jesse (he/they)
Bachelor of Architectural Design
The Sydney Community Foundation, Peter Brennan AM & Michael Lynch Fund Scholarship
NSW
Leann (she/her/they/them)
Bachelor of Economics (Econometrics) & Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Political Economy)
The Ros and Diana Coffey Scholarship
NSW
Angela (she/her)
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Political Science)
The Dr Craig White and Rod Anderson Tasmanian Scholarship
SA
Andrew (he/him)
Bachelor of Journalism/Bachelor of Media and Communications
Bill Chambers Scholarship No. 2
NSW
Nikoletta (she/her)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
The Bank of Melbourne Foundation Scholarship
VIC
Edward (he/they)
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Hons)
The King & Wood Mallesons Scholarship
NSW
Jay (he/him)
Bachelor of Journalism / Bachelor of Arts (Film & TV Studies)
The Dentsu Scholarship
QLD
Melodie (she/her)
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
The IVF Australia Scholarship
NSW
Alistair
Media Production, Visual Communication, and Creative Writing
Snow Foundation Scholarship
ACT
Katarina (she/her)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Development)
The Don Dunstan AC QC Scholarship
SA
Salv (he/him)
Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law
The Geoffrey Smith & Gary Singer Scholarship
NSW
Jaius (he/him)
Bachelor of Science / Commerce (environmental focus)
The Murray J Collins The City Gardener Scholarship
VIC
Ono (they/them)
Bachelor of Law (Hons) / Bachelor of Arts (Gender Studies)
Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
ACT
Ren (she/her)
Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Science (Enivromental Biology)
Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
NSW
Charli (fae/they/them)
Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Arts
The Andrew Staite Scholarship
VIC
WHY WE EXIST
There is a common misconception that since Australia achieved marriage equality, life for young LGBTQIA+ people became much easier. For some that may be true, but not for many.
National LGBTQIA+ Health Alliance research tells us that young adults in the LGBTQIA+ community are still between five and 11 times more likely to attempt self-harm or experience psychological distress directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination, bullying or abuse.
We also understand from research conducted by the Mitchell Institute in 2017 that low self-esteem, family disruption and severe peer victimisation are critical factors that make it difficult for young people to complete their education – both at great personal cost, and also at great cost to our wider society.
And it is here where The Pinnacle Foundation fits.
Many of the young LGBTQIA+ people that Pinnacle supports have grown up in environments where they have been rejected because of who they are and how they identify. Many have experienced bullying, discrimination and abuse.
We know that gaining an education can significantly change life for the better. Education increases our options; it enriches us and empowers us – it helps us to expand our life choices.