WE HELP LGBTQIA+ YOUTH TO REALISE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
About Us
We are Australia's LGBTQIA+ education charity and a public benevolent institution. 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 partner 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, delivers tailored education to build LGBTQIA+ and close ally executive and board leadership capabilities, confidence, executive presence and networks.
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 six, 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 and public benevolent institution with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status that provides educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTQIA+ Australians to reclaim their path.
Scholarships Awarded
Alana (she/her)
Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Bachelor of Criminology
The SHK Asia Pacific Scholarship
VIC
Oliver (he/him)
Bachelor of Engineering (Instrumentation Control and Automation) (Honours)
Olrem Scholarship
WA
Seraphine Panos (she/her)
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Science
Olrem Scholarship
NSW
Jay (he/him)
Bachelor of Journalism / Bachelor of Arts (Film & TV Studies)
The Dentsu Scholarship
QLD
Raleigh (he/him)
Bachelor of Science (Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences)
Olrem Scholarship
WA
Michael (he/him)
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
Sir James McNeill Trust Scholarship
VIC
Casper Larkin (he/him)
Bachelor of Actuarial Studies with a Bachelor of Computer Science
Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
NSW
Andrea (he/him)
Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Systems) (Honours) and Bachelor of Computer Science
Bill Chambers Scholarship
WA
Jaius (he/him)
Bachelor of Science / Commerce (environmental focus)
The Murray J Collins The City Gardener Scholarship
VIC
Annabelle (she/her)
Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Arts
The Geoffrey Smith & Gary Singer Scholarship
TAS
Izabelle (she/her)
Bachelor of Science (Cybercrime, Security, and Intelligence)(Dual Degree)
BHP Scholarship
WA
Katharine Whitehead (she/her)
Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours)
Olrem Scholarship
WA
Isaac Mathews (he/they)
Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science
Dr Craig White and Rod Anderson Perpetual Scholarship
TAS
Salv (he/him)
Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law
The Geoffrey Smith & Gary Singer Scholarship
NSW
Ren (she/her)
Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Science (Enivromental Biology)
Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
NSW
Julia (she/her)
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Major in Psychological Science)
Hall & Wilcox Scholarship
NSW
Jesse (he/they)
Bachelor of Architectural Design
The Sydney Community Foundation, Peter Brennan AM & Michael Lynch Fund Scholarship
NSW
Amber Jones (they/them)
Diploma of Nursing
Dr Craig White and Rod Anderson Perpetual Scholarship
TAS
Melodie (she/her)
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
The IVF Australia Scholarship
NSW
Vincent (he/him)
Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability (Advanced) (Honours)/Bachelor of Music
The Anthony-Whitney Scholarship
ACT
Sam (he/him)
Bachelor of Law(Hons)/ Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology).
The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG Scholarship
NSW
Chels Adams (she/her)
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Relations
Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
ACT
Penelope (she/her)
Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)
Mirvac Scholarship
NSW
Shelby (she/her)
Bachelor of Education (Honors) Primary and Special education
Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship
VIC
Tully Connor (she/her)
Bachelor of Arts/Master of Public Policy and Leadership
Shell Scholarship
QLD
Jordan Anderson (he/they)
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws
Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG Scholarship
NSW
Angela (she/her)
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Political Science)
The Dr Craig White and Rod Anderson Tasmanian Scholarship
SA
Dominic (he/they)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics)
The Mike Gordon Scholarship (2)
NSW
Alex (she/her)
Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and a Bachelor of Economics
The Insignia Community Foundation Scholarship
NSW
Emily Schultz (she/they)
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Environmental Science
BHP Scholarship
QLD
Anonymous or Name Withheld
Bachelor of Youth Work
The City of Melbourne Scholarship
VIC
Ada (she/her)
Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)/ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Olrem Scholarship
SA
Dylan
Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indigenous Studies and Politics
The Bibbulmun Fund Scholarship
NSW
Jye (he/him)
Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine
The Fred P Archer Charitable Trust Scholarship
NSW
Daniel (he/they)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)
Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
VIC
Adam Nguyen (he/him)
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
Duncan Peerman & Paul Zahra Scholarship
NSW
Katarina (she/her)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Development)
The Don Dunstan AC QC Scholarship
SA
Victoria (she/they)
Bachelor of Science/Master of Engineering
The Cubico Sustainable Investments Scholarship
VIC
Max (he/him)
Bachelor of Commerce and Advanced Studies - Majoring in Marketing and Politics and International Relations
The Darryl Wild Scholarship
NSW
Nikoletta (she/her)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
The Bank of Melbourne Foundation Scholarship
VIC
Fleur (she/her)
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
The Queensland Fertility Group Scholarship
QLD
Charlotte
Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability & Bachelor of International Relations
BHP Scholarship
ACT
Andrew (he/him)
Bachelor of Journalism/Bachelor of Media and Communications
Bill Chambers Scholarship No. 2
NSW
Grace (she/her)
Bachelor of Media and Communications & Bachelor of Philosophy
Ros and Diana Coffey Scholarship
TAS
William (he/him)
Bachelor of Arts (Extended) Majoring in Gender Studies & Japanese
The Pippa Downes Scholarship
VIC
Cate (she/her)
Bachelor of Science (Ecology)/Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)
The Hydro Tasmania Scholarship
TAS
Arnav (he/they)
Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) /Bachelor of Design in Architecture
Mirvac Scholarship
NSW
Alistair
Media Production, Visual Communication, and Creative Writing
Snow Foundation Scholarship
ACT
Leann (she/her/they/them)
Bachelor of Economics (Econometrics) & Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Political Economy)
The Ros and Diana Coffey Scholarship
NSW
Jayden Younan (he/him)
Bachelor of Arts (Economics) & Bachelor of Laws
King & Wood Mallesons Scholarship
NSW
Ethan (they/them)
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws
AGL Scholarship
NSW
Nagham AL Dennawi (she/her)
Bachelor of Crimonology / Bachelor of Laws
Peter Brennan AM and Michael Lynch Scholarship
NSW
Callahan (he/him)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Computer Science
Thrive Scholarship
VIC
Gabriel (he/him)
Bachelor of Arts
Sydney Community Foundation, Peter Brennan AM & Michael Lynch Fund Scholarship
NSW
Charli (fae/they/them)
Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Arts
The Andrew Staite Scholarship
VIC
Ono (they/them)
Bachelor of Law (Hons) / Bachelor of Arts (Gender Studies)
Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
ACT
Yvette (she/her)
Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine
Australian Marriage Equality Scholarship
SA
Ashton (he/him)
Bachelor of Social Work
Fred P Archer Charitable Trust - Rural, Regional & Remote Scholarship
NSW
Edward (he/they)
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Hons)
The King & Wood Mallesons Scholarship
NSW
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 15 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 makes a difference.
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.