When Sir John established the Fund in 1923, he envisioned an endowment scheme to grow an income in perpetuity so that hospitals and charities would receive a reliable income to plan for public healthcare needs and maintenance. When Sir John passed away in February 1924, he left a gift of £500 in his Will to the Fund. This would become the beginning of the Fund’s endowment scheme. In September 2015 the Swanson Society was launched to honour valued donors who have included a gift in their Will to the Foundation. It provides opportunities for donors to engage with the Foundation’s vision for positive social change, and to learn more about the work of the Foundation, the social issues of the day, and the impact of participating in community philanthropy. A Swanson Society morning tea was held on 14 June 2024 at the Melbourne Town Hall to celebrate the legacy of Sir John Swanson by recognising the collective impact and generosity of our donors as well as the ongoing impact of our grant program. The celebration opened with a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Perry Wandin, before Sally Capp AO was thanked for her incredible support of Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation during her term as Lord Mayor and our Honorary Patron. The Foundation’s new Chair, Janina Gawler, was introduced before joining our CEO, Peter Walton, for a Q&A session with guests. Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation thanks its donors who have made the very personal decision to leave a gift in Will.