The Foundation.
On his death, James’ Will gave instructions that the capital of his Estate would, over time, be held entirely by the Foundation, in order to create income solely for charitable organisations, in perpetuity.
James supported many charities during his lifetime, and a comprehensive list of beneficiaries is available below. Notable amongst them are the Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney, the Children’s Medical Research Institute (which he founded), The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and both the Art Galleries of Australia (NGA) and of New South Wales (AGNSW).
Lifelong Patron Of The Arts.
Over his life, and after his death, James donated works by Old European Masters worth more than $40 million, to the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), Victoria (NGV), and the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) among them works by Rubens, Tiepolo, Rembrandt, Ingres, Canaletto, Dürer, Lorrain, Watteau, and Drysdale.
He was a Founding Council Member of the NGA, and sat on the International Council of MOMA Board (NYC).
James was made a Life Governor of both the AGNSW and the NGA.
And Medicine.
Shortly after he was born, James’ life was saved from a potentially fatal congenital condition, by skilful medical intervention.
This gave him a lifelong desire to support all forms of children’s medical care. In 1958, James, with great family friend Sir Lorimer Dods, founded the Children’s Medical Research Foundation, in Camperdown, NSW (which has since become the Children’s Medical Research Institute, at Westmead, NSW).
The CMRI has made major contributions to the understanding, treatment and cure of childhood genetic diseases, including cancer, cystic fibrosis, metabolic and other rare disorders.
In addition, James has strongly supported Westmead Children’s Hospital ever since its inception.
In 1989, the James Fairfax Institute of Paediatric Nutrition was established at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Thanks to James Fairfax’s unwavering generosity, the Institute’s research and multidisciplinary work have transformed the lives of children around the world.
James’ commitment to changing the future for sick kids extended beyond paediatric nutrition research—he also made a meaningful contribution to the Stage 1 redevelopment of the hospital in 2020, helping to create a better environment for young patients and their families.
In 2024, the James Fairfax Foundation proudly pledged its support to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation for the new, state-of-the-art Children’s Centre for Transplantation and Research. This Centre will revolutionise the entire translational pathway—from groundbreaking discovery research to real-world therapeutic impact.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead has long been a leader in paediatric transplants, but thanks to a transformative $3 million donation from the James Fairfax Foundation, its impact is set to reach new heights.
James was appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in 1993 in recognition of service to the arts and to the community; and a Companion of the Order (AC) in 2010 for eminent service to the community through support and philanthropy for the visual arts, conservation organisations and building programs for medical research and educational facilities.
Images reproduced with permission