ThestoryofHelenMacphersonSmithTrust
From an initial bequest of £275,000 in 1951, $184m income has been generated, with $151m distributed to Victorian charities, while the corpus has grown to over $150m.
History of Helen Macpherson Smith Trust
About Helen
Born in Scotland
Helen is born in Darnick, Scotland to Scottish-born father Robert Smith and Australian-born mother, Jane Priscilla Macpherson.
The Investment Story
On her death in 1951, the late Helen Macpherson Schutt (née Smith) left a bequest of £275,000 ($550,000) for the establishment of a charitable trust to benefit Victorian charities in perpetuity.
From that original bequest, $197m income has been generated, with $151m distributed to Victorian charities, while the corpus has grown to $180m.
This outcome reflects an annual compound return of 13.0% p.a. over 74 years (1951-2025), split into capital growth of 7.0% p.a. and an average income return of 6.0% p.a. These returns compare favourably to the All-Ordinaries Accumulation Index which averaged 11.0% p.a. and inflation which averaged 4.4% p.a. over the 74-year period. Expressed another way, the return achieved by the Trust over 74 years has exceeded inflation by 8.6% p.a.
Helen’s named beneficiaries
Helen was a philanthropist throughout her life, supporting a number of charitable causes. She was one of the first life members of the Lost Dogs’ Home, with her name appearing in the list of donors in the years between 1914 and 1935. Records of the Victorian Missions to Seamen (now Mission to Seafarers) show she was an honorary member of the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild. She donated to the organisation in 1911 and was still doing so in 1927. Helen was also a life member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a regular supporter of the Royal District Nursing Service. In 1919 Helen donated funds to what was then the Melbourne District Nursing Society when the city suffered its worst-ever influenza epidemic. These organisations are named by Helen in her Will, as beneficiaries the Trustees may wish to consider.
Our most recent Annual Report
Download the 2025 Annual ReportHistorical Annual Reports showcase the work of our grantees and are available to download below.
How we grant
To avoid applicants investing time in proposals that are unlikely to proceed, we engage early with prospective grantees to confirm alignment with our funding priorities and strategic approach. This ensures only well-aligned organisations invest time in preparing application material for the Trust.
The Trust accepts applications by invitation only and does not consider unsolicited applications.
Check eligibility
If your organisation is a Victorian‑based charity working in areas aligned with the Trust’s strategic priorities, you are welcome to complete the eligibility quiz. Organisations that meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to submit a brief enquiry form.Initial assessment
Organisations that demonstrate alignment with the Trust’s priorities may be invited to provide further information, usually through a brief phone call.Invitation to apply
Where there is strong alignment with the Trust’s strategic priorities, organisations may be invited to submit a grant application.