Esse Quam Videri Foundation
The Esse Quam Videri Foundation is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting educational advancement through scholarship programs. Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), it operates as a philanthropic entity under the legal name Esse Quam Videri Foundation (ABN 85286546557RR0001). The foundation derives its name from the Latin phrase Esse Quam Videri ("to be, rather than to seem to be"), reflecting a commitment to fostering genuine academic and personal growth among students.

Mission and Activities

The foundation focuses on reducing financial barriers to education by awarding scholarships to high school students. It provides targeted support to Year 10 students to assist their continuation of schooling and offers additional scholarships to Year 12 graduates transitioning to university[1][4]. These programs aim to promote equal educational opportunities, particularly for youth aged 15–25[4].

Governance and Finances

Classified as a private grantmaking foundation under the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE), the organisation reports financial activities through annual filings. Internationally, it holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the U.S., allowing tax-deductible donations for cross-border philanthropic efforts[3]. Financial disclosures indicate total assets exceeding $2 million AUD, with no reported liabilities[3].

Leadership

Key personnel include trustee Sara Alaia Lichfield, listed in U.S. filings as receiving compensation for her role in governance[3]. The foundation maintains operational oversight through its board, though specific governance structures are not publicly detailed.

Impact

While the foundation does not publish annual reports on its website[4], its primary outcomes include scholarship distribution to assist students in completing secondary education and accessing higher education[1][4]. The selection criteria emphasize academic potential and financial need, though specific metrics for recipient success remain undisclosed.

[1] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/d1d91395-3aaf-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/profile [2] https://www.eqvf.org/contact [3] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/870570969 [4] https://www.changepath.com.au/esse-quam-videri-foundation [5] https://www.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au/about-us/about-cranbrook/vision-mission/