WE HELP LGBTIQ+ YOUTH RECLAIM THEIR PATH
About Us
We provide educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTIQ+ Australians to reclaim their path and overcome challenges arising from their identity.
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 in July and close in mid-September, 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 trod the scholar’s path – and provide the encouragement, counsel and inspiration to support the scholar’s rounded development and successful completion of their studies.
We rely solely on generous donations coupled with the passionate contributions of over 150 volunteers and a fulltime-equivalent staff of under four to deliver our program across the country. 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 LGBTIQ+ Australians to reclaim their path and overcome challenges arising from their identity.
Scholarships Awarded
Annika Reynolds
Laws (Honours) / International Security Studies
The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG Scholarship
ACT
Hamil Nauzer
Science / Advanced Studies (Animal and Veterinary Bioscience / Gender Studies)
The Peter Brennan AM & Michael Lynch Scholarship (No.2)
NSW
Alistair Ott
Media Production, Visual Communication, and Creative Writing
Snow Foundation Scholarship
ACT
Dylan Barnes
Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indigenous Studies and Politics
The Bibbulmun Fund Scholarship
NSW
WHY WE EXIST
There is a common misconception that since Australia achieved marriage equality, life for young LGBTIQ+ people became much easier. For some that may be true, but not for many.
National LGBTIQ+ Health Alliance research tells us that young adults in the LGBTIQ+ 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 LGBTIQ+ 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.