Over the past 101 years, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has achieved incredible milestones, but what excited me most was the mandate and the platform to fundamentally make a difference in our community at a time when so many people are experiencing disadvantage. I am excited about the future and the possibilities that lie ahead. I know that the Foundation will be at the forefront of making a genuine difference. As we conclude our current strategic plan, we are already beginning the process of determining our future direction. At the heart of our strategic planning will be a focus on fairness and sustainability; social justice and equity. This peoplecentred approach, being a foundation in and of community, one that seeks to be a catalyst and amplifier of the action we need to take to not only meet the needs and challenges of today, but also those that we anticipate in the coming years. As a charitable foundation for Greater Melbourne and its region, we work with communities to help them tackle immediate needs and the root causes of our society’s interconnected challenges. We are dedicated to building communities that are connected and resilient to the vulnerabilities of extreme weather, disasters and other challenges. We play a unique role in ensuring that we connect community giving and more effective philanthropy to the activity, action and advocacy that results in real change. In short, we aim to create a relatively unique place for structured giving that makes a lasting impact. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our donor community for their unwavering support. Your generosity enables us to continue our mission and make a difference in the lives of so many. A very special mention also to our Board and staff for their dedication and hard work (and for making me feel so welcome). Together, we are an organisation on the move, constantly reinventing ourselves to stay ambitious, forward-looking, and focused on solutions and genuine impact. Thank you for being a part of this journey. I look forward to what we will achieve together in the years to come. Warm regards Peter Walton Chief Executive Officer