About Us

Helen Macpherson Smith Trust is an independent philanthropic trust established by Helen Macpherson Schutt (née Smith) in 1951. On her passing in 1951, Helen left £275,000, the majority of her wealth, to establish a perpetual philanthropic trust to benefit Victorian charitable institutions. Launched as the Helen M. Schutt Trust, the name was changed to the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust in 2001 to acknowledge the Macpherson and Smith families as the prime source of her legacy.

Since HMSTrust was established, $126 million has been approved in grants  to a wide range of Victorian charitable institutions and a diverse range of projects benefiting Victorians every year.

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Vision
A strong, just and sustainable Victoria.
Balit, noogee ba kangooeit biik.   We proudly feature our vision in Woiwurrung language as a sign of respect.

Mission
Help build fair, creative and resilient Victorian communities through initiatives that promote positive change.

Values
Respect. Integrity. Stewardship. Collaboration. Accountability.

Strategic Aims
Building. Enabling. Leading.

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Helen Macpherson Smith was a very private woman who left few insights into the type of person she was. Her close friends and relatives described her as thoughtful, kind and caring, and there would be little doubt that this spirit of generosity was central to her interest in philanthropy.

Helen’s vision continues to guide HMSTrust today.  She was a life-long donor and supporter of organisations in Victoria including community service charities, children’s causes and medical institutions, and in her Will requested her Trustees consider ongoing support for “…such charitable institutions in the State of Victoria…”.

HMSTrust will honour the wishes of our benefactor in perpetuity. Our Trustees will also ensure the grants program remains relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world.  The grants program is designed to meet current community needs and expectations, and also maximise the major social impacts and long-term benefits that can be delivered through strategic philanthropy.

HMSTrust acknowledges and pays our respect to the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we work.