In 1972, George Alexander AM (1910 - 2008) set up an independent philanthropic foundation as a way of sharing his wealth and giving back to the community.  Today, the main focus of The George Alexander Foundation is access to education for promising young people, particularly students with financial need and those from rural and remote areas. 

The George Alexander Foundation (GAF) Scholarship Programs form the core of the foundation's work, operating in partnership with major tertiary institutions, while our Fellowships and other Education grants provide a variety of other unique and challenging educational experiences.

George Alexander believed in the notion of 'planting seeds and hoping they grow into pretty big trees'.  The programs supported by the Foundation endeavour to support this ideal and as GAF students graduate and go on to contribute to the community, George's legacy and spirit lives on through their achievements.

George Alexander came to Australia as a child migrant, and went on to become a mechanic, an entrepreneur and a businessman and later, a generous philanthropist, who held that you do not own the possessions you have, 'you're just minding them'.  This philosophy guided him to give during his lifetime and to hope that through his example, he might inspire others to do the same.

2012 marked the 40th Anniversary of the George Alexander Foundation and the 10th Anniversary of the GAF Scholarship Program.  We celebrated these important milestones at Melbourne Zoo, check out our Events page for more on this very special event.

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