$1 Million raised for the Australian Museum’s first Giving Day appeal

Sydney, March 13, 2026: Following its inaugural Giving Day, the Australian Museum (AM) is pleased to announce it received over 880 donations and raised more than $1 million, exceeding the $750,000 target by over 30 per cent.

The funds raised will be used to support the wide range of access and education initiatives, including the A Day at the Museum program, which covers the cost of transport, lunch, paid exhibition entry and an educator guide for regional and lower socio-economic schools; the Mini Museum preschool STEM outreach education program; First Nations and Pasifika knowledge sharing, including the Au Waka Nua program for Pasifika diaspora youth; as well as award-winning low-sensory programming for visitors with diverse needs, including Early Birds and Night Owls.

Director and CEO of the Australian Museum, Ms Kim McKay AO, said donations of this kind would make a profound impact by ensuring equitable access to the AM.

"The Australian Museum’s inaugural Giving Day has been a powerful demonstration of the community's commitment to the nation’s first museum. We are grateful not only for the donations but also the show of support from the public for more school kids to be able to experience the transformative effects of a school excursion and tailored engagement programs.”

Exceeding the already ambitious target of $750,000 was made possible by a group of dedicated Australian Museum supporters who, on the eve of the Giving Day, committed to tripling each donation received from the public on the day.

“We received over 880 donations, which tells us that the public place trust in the programs we develop for learning, engagement and cultural understanding. It’s an important reminder of why our work matters, and as we approach the AM’s 200th milestone in 2027, we will continue to build on these commitments,” Kim McKay said.

As part of Giving Day, a ‘telethon’ style hub was set up with staff taking calls for donations, which were also received via online submissions. The Giving Day campaign was created in partnership with Howatson+Company and featured four ‘Spokes-specimens’ from the AM collection, including a dinosaur and a thorny devil who made their own case for why curiosity deserves protecting.

“It was an amazing day, a couple of young children even donated their pocket money to the cause, and these funds will go on to bring about positive change. I want to thank everyone at the Australian Museum and the broader community for getting behind us,” Ms McKay said.

The money raised goes directly to the Australian Museum Foundation which is governed by the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission. Donations to the Australian Museum’s Giving Day can still be made to the appeal via the Giving Day campaign page.

For images and interviews, please contact Clare Patience on 0408 846 224 or via media@australian.museum.

About the Australian Museum

The nation’s first museum, the Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and will mark its 200-year milestone in 2027. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. The AM holds more than 22 million objects and specimens in its collection, and pursues a mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change. The AM’s vision is to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific and commits to transforming the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and continuing to develop world-leading science through the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI). The AM is not only a dynamic source of reliable scientific information on the environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also an important site of cultural exchange and learning.