Steiner education - changing lives
Tax deductible donations to the Foundation can be made any time by clicking on the button below.
Our purpose
We believe in the power of Steiner education to change lives. We aim to make that opportunity possible for more Australian young people. We do this through supporting the development and growth of Steiner schools, student scholarships, and teacher education.
Who we are
Steiner Education Foundation is a Public Ancillary Fund endorsed for deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. For eligible applicants, the Foundation provides funds for organisations in the following areas:
- Facilitation of scholarships for children in individual schools, particularly for children at an educational or socio-economic disadvantage
- Funding individual schools to expand facilities, to offer increased range of opportunities
- Facilitation of scholarships for teacher trainees to address shortage of Steiner-trained teachers in Australia
Why we are so passionate
There are 52 Steiner schools across Australia with over 10 000 students. Whilst each school context is unique, we have a shared vision: for Steiner education to positively affect the lives of all Australians – directly or indirectly. Our aim is to provide a foundation for students and communities today that continues to grow over a lifetime. As more people build the capacity to lead meaningful lives, our society moves towards connection, balance, social responsibility and citizenship. Our education enables a healthy world.
We are part of a thriving global community with over 1,000 Steiner schools and early learning centres, in 70 countries. Steiner education provides for children and their families a wonderfully creative, academic education that nurtures genuine independent thinking, a strong sense of self, purpose and social and environmental responsibility that enables them to contribute fully to a healthy, just society.
We know that the correlation between student wellbeing, engagement and academic outcomes is strong. Students thrive if they feel safe, valued and loved. Steiner schools provide a school environment that nurtures and prioritises a positive sense of self in students, empowering student voice and fostering an enduring connection to culture, community, and a continuing interest in the world.
What is our aim?
The Steiner Education Foundation aims to enable all Australian families who seek it, access to a joyful and purposeful education, providing scholarships for students, for teachers to access professional development and to support the development of schools in diverse communities.
We invite you to join us in supporting a positive, joyful education that enables young people to develop the capacities to live a purposeful life of wellbeing, creativity and contribution.
Make a donation to the Steiner Education Foundation
STEINER EDUCATION FOUNDATION
See the world differently
The ideals and principles of Steiner education emerged in response to the cataclysmic challenges of the post World War 1 period. New social forms emerged, along with a new approach to education. An education that would imbue human beings with the power of imagination and creativity rather than being held captive by excessive information and conditioned responses.
Communities in Australia and around the world are currently facing geo-political, social, environmental and economic challenges that can seem overwhelming and insoluble, resulting in high levels of stress and anxiety. This is reflected particularly in our young people who struggle to find firm ground in a volatile environment.
Are we providing Australian youth with an education that will prepare them positively for the rapid changes that are coming to meet them? How do we fire their will and courage, stimulate their imagination and passion, and help them to develop clarity of thought and discernment for truth?
The curriculum and pedagogy of Steiner education has had that purpose at its very core since its inception over a century ago. Above all, it is a globally-connected and human-centred education that develops in children capacities to develop awareness of self and of others, to be of service to the community and to support the renewal of humanity.
The Steiner Education Foundation is committed to supporting this work throughout Australia. In 2025, for the first time, we were delighted to be able to distribute grant monies. Three schools were very happy to receive assistance for special projects and we look forward to being able to do the same in 2026.
Individual donations are most welcome and much appreciated!
Steiner education provides the foundation for a meaningful life of character and contribution, and we invite you to join us in bringing this opportunity to thrive to more Australian children.
Your donation to the fund is tax deductible.
2026 Grant Application Process
APPLICATION PROCESS
The scope and extent of funding available changes from year-to-year. Initially, the Foundation invite organisations to apply for grants that deliver short projects that meet the selection criteria and are consistent with the Foundation’s current focus.
Grants are made annually. Applications open in May, successful applicants will be notified by 31 August.
After close of application date, all applications are reviewed and assessed by an expert panel comprised of SEF Board members and co-opted members, experienced in relevant areas, such as finance, education, risk etc. A short-listing process then takes place before final decisions are made.
Successful applicants will be required to meet project reporting and acquittal requirements, and show evidence that any funds received have been expended for the purpose of the grant, and within the agreed timeframe.
Grant Application Form Stage 1
TIMELINE
| 15 May | Applications Open |
| 15 June | Stage 1 Applications Close |
| 15 July | Stage 2 Applications Close |
| 31 July | Applicants notified of results |
| Early September | Funding agreement confirmed and grant contract signed |
SELECTION CRITERIA
- An inspiring vision, goals and program that aligns with the goals of the Foundation
- Strong governance with appropriate systems, risk and compliance processes and child protection policies
- Sound financial management practices
- Directly involves children and young people or builds the capability of families, caregivers or educators
- Reflects an evidence-based approach with clear rationale
- Has clarity on intended initiative outcomes
- Committed to measurement and evaluation of outcome
- Compelling link between initiative and medium to long-term impact on goals of the Foundation.
Steiner Education Foundation
FUNDING PROCESSES AND PRINCIPLES
AIM: Steiner education – accessible to all
We believe in the power of Steiner education to change lives. We aim to make that opportunity possible for more Australian young people. We do this through supporting the development and growth of Steiner schools, new initiatives, also supporting teacher education providers and research activities which meet the specific criteria detailed below.
BACKGROUND
Steiner Education Foundation is a Public Ancillary Fund endorsed for deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. For eligible applicants, the Foundation provides funds for organisations in the following areas:
- Facilitation of additional scholarships for children in individual Steiner school, particularly for children at an educational or socio-economic disadvantage
- Funding individual schools to expand facilities, offer increased range of opportunities
- Supporting Library Funding for existing Steiner schools.
- Support new initiatives to establish Steiner schools – pre-school, primary and secondary, particularly in rural and remote regions
- Facilitation of scholarships for teacher trainees to address shortage of Steiner-trained teachers in Australia
- Funding Research Initiatives / Studies (organisation based)
When considering applications we take the following into account
- Need/Relevance
- Size and length of project
- Available funds
- Meeting eligibility criteria
- Impact
- Risk
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Your application needs to align with our aims as stated above. You must also meet the following criteria:
- The project for which the funds are requested must have DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status
- Organisation needs to be registered with the ACNC (Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission)
- Provision of audited recent financial statement signed by auditor
- The project for which the funds are requested must be a new or ongoing project.
- Organisation based in Australia
What is funded:
- Initiatives that enable more students to attend existing Steiner schools eg scholarship funds
- Initiatives that encourage establishment of Steiner schools where none exists, particularly regional and rural eg. building funds
- Initiatives that help to build quality resources for existing Steiner schools eg. library funds, building funds
- Initiatives that improve quality and standing of Steiner education in the broader community eg research in collaboration with organisations that meet eligibility criteria
- Initiatives that enable larger number of Steiner trained teachers
What is not funded:
- Individuals
- Sponsorships or charities, in Australia or overseas
- Travel and accommodation costs
- Projects/programs that do not have DGR status
- Projects that do not align with the goals of the Foundation
- Retrospective projects
Governance
Rosemary Gentle OAM Co-Chairperson
Rosemary has been associated with Steiner Education in Australia for almost 40 years. A teacher for 27 of those years, she taught at both at primary and secondary levels, and held leadership roles in several schools. Rosemary has been a director on a number of school boards and the AISNSW Board. She filled the role of Executive Officer of Steiner Education Australia over a 10 year period. Rosemary was honoured to receive an Order of Australia medal in 2006 for “services to education”.
Hallie Fernandez - Director
Hallie has worked at Mumbulla School for Rudolf Steiner Education in Bega as the Business Manager since 2014. She managed and worked in many other small and large businesses around the world. Hallie also sits on the Steiner Education Australia Board as director/treasurer.
Fiona Cock - Director
Fiona has been associated with Steiner Education in Australia for some 57 years. A Steiner graduate, musician, teacher and crisis counsellor and psychotherapist. She holds post graduate degrees in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Business Management. Fiona has held leadership roles in several schools and been a director on Steiner Education Australia Board.
Virginia Moller - Co-Chairperson
Virginia has had over 45 years experience in education, including 30 years in Steiner education holding various teaching and leadership positions. She has had a long involvement with Steiner Education Australia, including as project manager for the writing of the Australian Steiner Curriculum Framework and was CEO of Steiner Education Australia from 2017 until 2023. Virginia has completed a doctorate on leading practices of Steiner school principals and lectures in the Masters of Educational Leadership program at Sydney University.
Steiner Education Foundation Pty Ltd (ACN 652 674 649), acts as trustee for the Steiner Education Foundation Trust, a public ancillary fund.
ABN 12 197 873 979
Steiner Education Foundation Trust was granted DGR status with the Australian Taxation Office in 2022.
For more information you can contact the Steiner Education Foundation at [email protected]